More Geyer and McGimpsey photos

Some more photos just received from Vernon Capps:

Frank Geyer

Lucinda Ellen (Griffith) Geyer

Frank and Lucinda Geyer were my 2nd great grandparents. Frank was born Franciscus R. Geyer on Apr 16, 1862 in Johannesburg, Germany, and died of a stroke on March 29, 1938 in Wellman, Washington, Iowa. On Dec 22, 1888 he married Lucinda Ellen Griffith, who was born on Oct 16, 1869 in Wellman, Washington, Iowa, and died on Oct 2, 1951 in Washington, Washington, Iowa.

Henry James McGimpsey

Eliza (Hamilton) McGimpsey

Eliza (McLean) McGimpsey

Henry James McGimpsey was born on Oct 13, 1829 in Newtownards, County Down, Ireland, and died on Nov 14, 1907 in Thornburg, Keokuk, Iowa. On May 6, 1862 he married Eliza Hamilton, who was born on June 8, 1829 in Newtownards, County Down, Ireland, and died on Oct 28, 1866 in Rock Island, Rock Island, Illinois. They are my 3rd great-grandparents. On Jan 2, 1868, he married his second wife, Eliza McLean, who was born Mar 4, 1832 in Ireland and died on July 3, 1916 in Thornburg, Keokuk, Iowa.

William James McGimpsey

William James and Jane M. (Moore) McGimpsey, taken Dec 22, 1892

William James McGimpsey was the son of Henry and Eliza (Hamilton) McGimpsey. He was born Jan 13, 1863 in Rock Island, Rock Island, Illinois, and died Oct 20, 1920 in Prairie, Keokuk, Iowa, from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound (he was shooting rats at the time). On Dec 22, 1892, he married Jane M. Moore, who was born Dec 12, 1866 in Thornburg, Keokuk, Iowa, and died there of a stroke on Apr 6, 1938. They were my 2nd great-grandparents.

More Geyer Obituaries

The following are transcribed newspaper clippings that were collected by Vernon Capps, the husband of my 1st cousin twice removed Gertrude Elloise Geyer. I have photocopies of the clippings. I don't know what newspapers they were taken from.

Grace Geyer

Mrs. Grace E. Geyer, 71, of 1003 E. 3rd Street, Washington, died Sunday, August 26 at the Shenk Nursing Home in Wellman, where she had been a patient a short time.

Born December 30, 1901, near Thornburg, she was the daughter of William J. and Jane Moore McGimpsey.

She married F. Grant Geyer May 14, 1919.

She was a member of the Washington United Methodist Church.

Surviving are six sons, Harlan M. of Mission Hills, Calif., Calvin of Iowa City, Larry of Florida, LaVerne E. and Floyd of Washington; four daughters, Mrs. John (Doris) Allard of Brighton, Mrs. Bernie (Dorothy) Biddle of Richland, Wash., Mrs. Adger (Niva) Nix of Chamblee, Ga., and Frances Jean of Washington; 25 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren; and five sisters, Mrs. Rachel Stringfellow of Oskaloosa, Mrs. John (Margaret) Geyer of What Cheer, Mrs. Catherine Schifflet of Deep River, Mrs. Eva Moore of Oskaloosa, and Mrs. Hugh (Ruth) Frazier of Des Moines.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband on September 19, 1951, a daughter Lois and a son Max.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 29 at 2 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home in Washington with Rev. J. Roland Crandall officiating.

Mrs. T. R. Phillips was organist with Mrs. Kay Stewart, soloist.

Bearers of the casket were John Allard, Jay Allard, Calvin Geyer Jr., Richard Geyer, Wayne Geyer and Kenneth Geyer.

Burial was in Sixteen Cemetery.

[Handwritten at bottom: "1973"]

--------------------------------------

[Handwritten at top: “1983”]

Margaret Geyer

Margaret Geyer, 89 of What Cheer died Monday, Nov. 14 at home.

She was born April 29, 1894 in Keokuk County, the daughter of William and Jane Moore McGimpsey.

She was married to John W. Geyer February 19, 1919 in Keswick. He preceded her in death in August of 1983.

She had lived in What Cheer since 1963. Prior to that she lived in Thornburg.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church of What Cheer, a member of the UMW of What Cheer, a Past Matron of the Order of the Friendly Garden Club, past secretary of the Royal Neighbors of America, and the secretary for 45 years of the Sixteen Cemetery of Thornburg.

She is survived by three sons, W. Kenneth Geyer of Albia, Dr. Keith A. Geyer of Alta and John W. Geyer of West Bloomfield, Mich.; two daughters, Harriette Riddle of Wellman, and Mrs. Vernon (Elloise) Capps of South San Francisco, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Hugh (Ruth) Frazier of Denver, Colo., and Mrs. Eva Moore of Oskaloosa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a great-grandson, six sisters, and two brothers.

Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m., at the Harden Funeral Chapel at What Cheer with Rev. Duane Ferguson officiating.

Music was by Mrs. Jean Wilson.

Bearers of the casket were Michael Riddle, James Riddle, Jeffrey Adler, Richard Kading, John Geyer III and Curtis Geyer.

Burial was in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

[Handwritten at end: “on Friday November 18, 1983]

--------------------------------------

John W. Geyer

John W. Geyer, 83, of What Cheer died Saturday, Aug. 6 at University Hospitals in Iowa City.

Born at Wellman December 5, 1899, he was the son of Frank and Lucinda Griffith Geyer.

He was a retired farmer and also had worked for the Pamco of Oskaloosa for 1[?] Years. He had lived in What Cheer since 1953 and prior to that in Thornburg.

He was married to Margaret McGimpsey February 19, 1919 in Keswick.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church of What Cheer and was a past president of the What Cheer Lions Club. He was also a former member of the Thornburg School Board. He was the treasurer of the Universe Lodge 242 A.F. and A.M., a past master of the Perfect Union Lodge 277 at Thornburg, a member El Khir Shrine in Cedar Rapids, a member of the Cedar Rapids Consistory, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Lodge in What Cheer.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Elloise Capps, of South San Francisco, Calif., and Mrs. Harriette Riddle of Wellman; three sons, W. Kenneth Geyer of Albia, Dr. Keith A. Geyer of Alta, John W. Geyer of West Bloomfield, Mich., 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a brother, Wilbur Geyer of Wellman.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 1 p.m., at the Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with Rev. Emery Wallace officiating.

Music was by Mrs. Jean Wilson.

Bearers of the casket were Michael Riddle, James Riddle, Jeffrey Adler, Richard Koding, John Geyer III, Curtis Geyer.

Honorary bearers of the casket were Ronald Galbraith, Alex Henry, Kenneth McFarlan and Bill Tancer.

Burial was in the Sixteen Cemetery in Thornburg.

--------------------------------------

Wilbur G. Geyer, 86, dies

WELLMAN – Wilbur G. Geyer, 86, died June 24, 1993, at Parkview Manor, Wellman, after a long illness.

Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, Wellman, with the Rev. Beth Miller officiating. Burial will be in the Wellman
Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Friday at the Powell Funeral Home, Wellman. A memorial fund has been established with the First Baptist Church, Wellman, and the Wellman Ambulance fund drive.

Wilbur Geyer was born Sept. 1, 1906, near Wellman, to Frank and Lucinda (Griffith) Geyer. He attended Bunker Hill School. He married Edna Webster Jan. 25, 1928, at the Methodist parsonage, Iowa City. He farmed in the Wellman and Oxford communities before moving to Wellman in 1959. He was employed by Powell Furniture and Bringman Grocery and worked as a custodian and bus driver for the Mid-Prairie School District. He also operated a feed grinder for several years.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Wellman, and a former IOOF
member.

Survivors include his wife, Edna; three sons, Richard Geyer, Iowa City, Wayne Geyer, Oxford, and Raymond Geyer, Oxford; one daughter, Donna Mae Wenell, St. Paul, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one
great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and one great-grandchild.

--------------------------------------

[Handwritten to side of obituary: “Tuesday, March 16”]

George E. Guyer [should be “Geyer”]

WHAT CHEER – George E. Guyer, 79, former resident of What Cheer, died Tuesday, at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Joseph, Mo.

He was born Nov. 4, 1891 near Wellman, the son of Frank and Lucinda E. Griffith Guyer. He married Jennie Ann Moore June 15, 1915 at Webster. She preceded in death along with one son.

He worked for many years with the Iowa State Highway Commission.

Surviving are one son, Frank of St. Joseph, Mo.; one daughter, Mrs. Beatrice Hummel of Council Bluffs; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and one brother, Wilbur Guyer of Wellman.

The service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, at Harden Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Edward A. Schalle officiating. Burial will be in Sixteen Cemetery.

--------------------------------------

[Handwritten at top: “March 16, 1971”]

Local Deaths
George E. Geyer

George E. Geyer, 79, was pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital Tuesday afternoon after becoming ill at the home of his son, Frankie C. Geyer, 2611 Renick street. The elder Mr. Geyer had been residing with his son lately.
Mr. Geyer retired about nine years ago as an Iowa State Highway Commission foreman, stationed at Marshalltown, Iowa. He formerly resided in What Cheer,
Iowa.

Additional survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Beatrice E. Hummel, Council Bluffs, Iowa; two brothers, John Geyer, What Cheers, and Wilbur Geyer, Wellman, Iowa; nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

The body is at the Herdin [should be “Hardin”] mortuary in What Cheer.

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[Handwritten at top: “1967”]

Life Story of Jennie May Geyer

Mrs. Jennie May Geyer, 69, of Independence, died Tuesday, January
31.

Born March 5, 1897 in Webster [“Webster” is crossed out and handwritten above is “Millersburg”], she was the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Winegarden Moore. She married George E. Geyer June 16, 1915.

Surviving are her husband, George; one daughter Mrs. Beatrice E. Hummel of Council Bluffs; one son, Frank C. Geyer of St. Joseph, Mo; nine grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Lola Wyant of Marengo and Mrs. Ethel Seaton of Deep River; and three brothers, Ivan and Raymond Moore of What Cheer and Menzo Moore of Keswick.

Services were held Friday, February 3 at 2 p.m. at the [clipping cut off
here]

--------------------------------------

Frankie C. Geyer
1924-1997

Frankie C. Geyer, 73, St. Joseph, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997, at a St. Joseph hospital.

Born May 26, 1924 in Omaha, Neb., he was raised in Scranton, Iowa, where he graduated from Scranton High School. Mr. Geyer was a 1948 graduate of Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, where he later taught social science and coached football, baseball and basketball.

He began his career with the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Controller in 1952. He served at Lambert Field in St. Louis, Topeka, Kan.
and Des Moines, Iowa.

Mr. Geyer came to St. Joseph in 1965, and retired as Assistant Tower Chief and Controller.

During World War II he served as an instructor pilot for the B-24 Liberator
Bomber in the Army Air Corp.

He was a member of Huffman United Methodist Church, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the American Association of Retired Persons, and the Liberal Air Museum, Liberal, Kan.

On July 30, 1944 he married Kathryn E. Crouch in Liberal, Kan., she survives of the home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Jennie Geyer, by a brother, George Junior Geyer, and a sister, Beatrice Hummel.

Additional survivors: a son, Mark T. Geyer of Marietta, Ga.; two daughters, Sandra E. Goff, San Diego, and Melody A. Crowder, Salina, Kan.; six grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Services: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Meierhoffer-Fleeman Funeral Home, St. Joseph, where the family will receive friends from 7 to [?]:30 p.m. Tuesday. Friends may call after 9 a.m. Tuesday, at the funeral home.

--------------------------------------

LaVerne E. Geyer II, 20, of Cromwell, Ind., formerly of Washington, died Wednesday morning in Parkview Hospital at Fort Wayne, Ind., of injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident Aug. 17 near Fort Wayne. He was a student at Fort
Wayne.

Survivors include a daughter, Alex of Cromwell; his parents, LaVerne and Jane of Washington; two sisters, Debra Morrison of Homestead and Barbara Curtis of Wyman; a brother, Jerry Groom of Cromwell; and his grandfathers, Robert Richardson of Lebanon, Ore., and Ben Adams of Wyman.

Services: 10 a.m. Saturday, Jones’, where friends may call after 9 a.m. today and where the family will greet friends from 8 to 8:30 tonight. Burial:
Sixteen Cemetery, north of What Cheer. A memorial fund has been established.

Finally, Wayne Geyer, son of Wilbur and Edna Geyer, passed away recently on March 20, 2007. His obituary can be found on the Peterseim Funeral Home Obituary page and a news article, Oxford Man Found Dead, can be find on the Iowa City Press-Citizen website.

Moore Obituaries

The following are transcribed newspaper clippings that were collected by Vernon Capps, the husband of my 1st cousin twice removed Gertrude Elloise Geyer. I have photocopies of the clippings. I don't know what newspapers they were taken from.

Thursday, August 15, 1991

Raymond Moore

Raymond Wilbur Moore, 79, of What Cheer, died Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

He was born September 25, 1911 near Webster, the son of Charles G. and Elizabeth Winegarden Moore.

He was united in marriage to Mildred Gorsh December 4, 1933. She died December 16, 1966. He married Blanche DeReus October 23, 1969 in Oskaloosa.

He had attended School in Webster. He farmed for over 50 years in Iowa, Poweshiek and Keokuk Counties. He also worked at the What Cheer Pottery Plant and was a car salesman.

He is survived by his wife, Blanche of What Cheer; two sons, Franklin of Texas, Edward of Marshalltown; one daughter, Janice Henley of Cedar Rapids; one step-son, Terry DeReus of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one step-daughter Sherill Hupfeld of Dysart; five grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; one brother, Menzo Moore of Keswick and two sisters Lola Wyant of Marengo and Ethel Seaton of Deep River.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Mildred; five brothers, David, Claude, Guy, Dewey and Ivan; and three sisters, Gale Moore, Jennie Geyer and Edith Parks.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with Rev. Dean McPherson and Rev. Charlie Bywaters officiating.

Music was by Marlene Clubb, organist and Virginia Striegel, soloist.

Bearers of the casket were Barry ?int, Neil Nilles, Lee Willhour, Richard Dalziel, Donald Sterrett and ??rrol Walters.

Burial was in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

Memorials may be made to What Cheer Rescue Unit and or the What Cheer United Methodist Church.

-------------------------

[handwritten next to title: „1951“]

James H. Moore Dies in Des Moines

Funeral for James H. Moore was in Des Moines Thursday. He died Dec. 17 in Des Moines.

Mr Moore was born Aug. 18, 1873, on the Moore farm near Thornburg. He was the son of James and Rachel Moore and grew to manhood near Thornburg.

His wife Mamie, his parents, a sister, Jane McGimpsey, and a brother, John C. Moore, preceded him in death.

Surviving are a son Glen of Burbank, Calif., and a daughter, Mrs. Grace Kimati in Hawaii, a brother George C. Moore of Des Moines, and sister, Mrs Catherine Dusenberry of Tucson, Ariz.

---------------------------

[handwritten next to title: „1999“]

Dallas Oster

Dallas Oster, 89, of Sigourney, died Jan. 8, at University Hospitals in Iowa City.

She was born Dec. 17, 1909, in Dallas County to John and Nettie Meredith Moore. She married Leslie Oster on Sept. 14, 1932, in Thornburg. He died May 6, 1995.

She was graduated from Thornburg High School in 1926. She and her husband farmed in the Webster-Keswick area until they purchased Sigourney Laundromat in 1965, she was a member of Sigourney United Methodist Church and the Church Women’s Circle.

She is survived by three daughters, Betty Miller of Fairfield, Lind Wallerstedt of Arlington, Texas, and Judy Davisson of Waterford, Mich., seven grandchildren, a great grandchild, a sister, Dorothy Christenson of Tucson, Ariz., and a brother, David Moore of Des Moines.

She was preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, Esther Howe, two brothers, Harold and Wayne Moore, and two sisters, Vesta Haus and Mildred Moore.

The service was Jan. 11 at Sigourney United Methodist Church, the Rev. Danny Lemon officiated. Burial will be in Sorden Cemetery near Keswick.

Pallbearers were Mark Miller, Doug Cutts, Darren Haus and Kenneth Capps.

------------------------

Dorothy Moore

Dorothy F. Moore, 90, of Rockford, Ill., formerly of Gibson, died Dec. 9, at the Swedish American Hospital in Rockford.

She was born June 1, 1909, in Kansas City, Kan., to John and Doxie Ford Butterfield. She married Carl L. Moore in Montezuma on March 25, 1933.

She was reared in Montezuma and was graduated from Montezuma High School in 1927. She attended Cedar Falls and William Penn in Oskaloosa and taught
school in Gibson and Tri-County for 29 years. She was a member of the Gibson Presbyterian Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher, treasurer and elder for many years. She moved to Rockford in 1991.

She is survived by her husband of Rockford; a daughter, Karlene Kitchen of Rockford; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Jack; a great granddaughter; a sister, Doxie McCrellias; and a brother, Harold Butterfield.

----------------------------

[Handwritten next to name: “1999”]

Dorothy Moore

Dorothy F. Moore, 90, of Rockford, Ill., formerly of Gibson, died Dec. 9, at the Swedish American Hospital in Rockford.

She was born June 1, 1909, in Kansas City, Kan., to John and Doxie Ford Butterfield. She married Carl L. Moore in Montezuma on March 25, 1933.

She was reared in Montezuma and was graduated from Montezuma High School in 1927. She attended Cedar Falls and William Penn in Oskaloosa and taught school in Gibson and Tri-County for 29 years. She was a member of the Gibson Presbyterian Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher, treasurer and elder for many years. She moved to Rockford in 1991.

She is survived by her husband of Rockford; a daughter, Karlene Kitchen of Rockford; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a con, Jack; a great granddaughter; a sister, Doxie McCrellias; and a brother, Harold Butterfield.

The service was Monday at Gibson Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Kenneth Arendsen and Matthew Kitchen officiating. Burial was in Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Harden Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

-----------------------

Bertha Ogden

Bertha Arlene Ogden, 96, of What Cheer, died Monday, Sept. 27, 1993 in Iowa City at the Mercy Hospital.

She was born August 2, 1897 near Springdale, the daughter of John and Mynettie Phelps Moore.

She was united in marriage to Hurley Ogden. He preceded her in death April 1, 1958.

She attended High School in Grinnell and was a homemaker all her life. She was a member of the What Cheer United Methodist Church; the Esther Circle; a 50 year member of P.E.O. Chapter Y; past matron of the Order of the Eastern Star of Thornburg; and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star of What Cheer, and a former member of the Garden Club.

She is survived by a daughter and her husband: Doris Marie and Russell Crane of Tucson, Ariz.; a son and his wife: W. Dean and Julia Ogden of What Cheer; five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one grandson, Paul Ogden; one great-grandson, Matthew; two brothers: Sherman Moore, Forrest Moore; five sisters: Ida Moore, Anna Middlekauff, Raye Wilcox; Hazel Dersch; Elizabeth Bender; two half-brothers and a half-sister.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 30, 1993 at the Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with Rev. Vince Homan of the What Cheer United Methodist Church officiating.

Burial will be in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

Memorials may be made to the What Cheer United Methodist Church.

--------------------------

Eva Moore

OSKALOOSA -- Eva Moore, 84, of Oskaloosa died Feb. 21, 1990, at Pleasant Park Nursing Home in Oskaloosa.

She was born May 9, 1905 in Thornburg to William and Jane Moore McGimpsey. She married A. Dewey Moore on Dec. 2, 1926. He died April 19, 1961.

She farmed with her husband for many years in the Deep River area. After his death, she moved to Oskaloosa, where she worked as a housekeeper at Mahaska County Hospital until retiring.

She is survived by a sister, Ruth Frazier of Denver, Colo.

She was preceded in death by two brothers and seven sisters.

The service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Newman Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa, the Rev. David Holmes officiating.

Burial will be in Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

Griffith, McGimpsey and Moore photos

Some more old family photos, all received by my aunt Cherie Geyer from Vernon Capps.

William & Marget McGimpsey, 1860

William Martin McGimpsey was born about 1800 in Newtownards, County Down, Ireland and passed away shortly before 22 November 1870 (the date of the printing of his funeral card). He married in 1828, Marget Martin, who was born about 1799 in Newtownards as well. She passed away on 22 July 1881 in Loughries, Newtownards, County Down, Ireland. From their funeral cards:

The remains of my beloved Husband, William McGimpsey, will be removed from his late residence, Loughriescouse, for interment in the Family Burying Ground, Movilla, on Thursday, 24th inst. at Nine o'clock, a.m.

Margaret McGimpsey. November 22, 1870.

Source: Funeral Card for William McGimpsey, 22 Nov 1870. Original in possession of Vernon Capps, photocopy in possession of author.

-----

Died At Loughries, on Friday, 22nd July, 1881, Margaret McGimpsey, (Relict of the late William McGimpsey,) Aged 82 Years.

The Remains of my Mother-in-law will be removed for interment in the Family Burying-Ground, Movilla, on Saturday, 23rd inst., at Four o'clock p.m.

Robert Patton. Loughries, 22nd July, 1881.

Source: Funeral Card for Margaret McGimpsey, Loughries, 22 Jul 1881. Original in possession of Vernon Capps, photocopy in possession of author.

Mary (McGimpsey) McRoberts and Eliza McGimpsey

Mary McGimpsey was born on 12 November 1870 in Thornburg, Keokuk, Iowa and died there on 29 August 1954. On 17 December 1890, she married John McRoberts (1862-1935). Eliza "Lisse" McGimpsey was born on 24 November 1868 in Coal Valley, Rock Island, IL and passed away on 17 May 1956 in Thornburg. They were daughters of Henry James McGimpsey (photo in previous post) and Eliza McLean. The date of the photo was labeled as "May 1848", but since that is before either of these women were born, I am guessing that (based on their appearances) it is more likely to have been May 1948.

William James and Jane M. McGimpsey, no date

William James McGimpsey was born on 13 January 1863 in Rock Island, Rock Island, IL. He died on 20 October 1920 in Prairie, Keokuk, IA. On 22 December 1892, he married Jane M. Moore, the daughter of James and Rachel Moore. She was born 12 December 1866 in Thornburg, Keokuk, IA, and died there on 6 April 1938. A photo of them and there children can be found here.

Rachel and Mary Moore, Ireland, 1911

Rachel Moore was born in August 1838 in Newtownards, County Down, Ireland. She died on 14 August 1921 in Thornburg, Keokuk, IA. On 5 March 1866, she married James Moore (1829-1911). A photo of Rachel and her children is here. I have no information on her sister Mary. They are daughters of James and Jane (Bowden) Moore. Their brothers John and James Moore also settled in Keokuk County, Iowa. A photo of John and his family is here.

Rachel Moore's home near Springdale, where she passed away in 1921

John W. and Priscilla Griffith, 1866

John White Griffith was born 24 February 1835 in Brown, Washington, Indiana and died on 26 December 1914 in Wellman, Washington, Iowa. On 27 October 1857, he married Priscilla Longwell, the daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Winslow) Longwell. She was born on 3 February 1834 in Grand Prairie, Marion, Ohio and died on 7 June 1899 in Wellman. More photos of the Griffiths and family can be found in this previous post.

McGimpsey Obituaries/Clippings

The following are transcribed newspaper clippings that were collected by Vernon Capps, the husband of my 1st cousin twice removed Gertrude Elloise Geyer. I have photocopies of the clippings. I don't know what newspapers they were taken from.

Lorene McGimpsey

Lorene E. McGimpsey, 78, of Thornburg, died Sunday, April 22, 1990, at the Mahaska County Hospital in Oskaloosa.

She was born September 5, 1911, near Thornburg, the daughter of Roy and Grace Stafford Edmundson.

She was united in marriage to Art McGimpsey in January of 1930. He died in October of 1985.

She graduated from Thornburg High School in 1929. She was Postmaster for 21 years at the Thornburg Post Office. She was a member of the Thornburg United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.

She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. D. Jim (Greta Lou) Moore of Thornburg; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one brother, Leroy Edmundson of Keswick.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one sister, Doris Davis.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 25 at the Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with Rev. Dean McPherson officiating.

Music was by Janet Arendt.

Bearers of the casket were Van Moore, Ace Moore, Ron Denison, Ray Gasperi, Gerald Denison and Lloyd Little.

Burial was in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

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40 Years Ago
April 7, 1938

Mrs. Jane McGimpsey died at Thornburg yesterday afternoon. She had been visiting in the Grace McCracken home and suffered a stroke early Friday morning.

----------------------------------------

[Handwritten at top of clipping: "1985"]

Charles Arthur McGimpsey

Charles Arthur “Art” McGimpsey, 74, of Thornburg died Saturday, Oct. 12, at the University Hospitals in Iowa City.

He was born March 23, 1911, in Thornburg, the son of Henry A. and Jennie Reasner McGimpsey.

He married Lorene E. Edmundson January 5, 1930, in What Cheer.

He was a lifelong Thornburg resident. He farmed for several years and later was the custodian of the Thornburg High School. Later, he was the custodian for the Tri-County Community Schools. He retired in 1975.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Thornburg.

He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Mrs. D. Jim (Greta Lou) Moore of Thornburg; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Harold (Isabelle) Godwin, of Washington.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant sister.

Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 14, at the Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with Rev. Ron L. Clayton officiating.

Music was by Mrs. Jean Wilson.

Bearers of the casket were Ace Moore, Van Moore, Ron Denison, Ray Gasperi, Steve Thomann and Duane McBeth.

Burial was in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

-------------------------------------------

[Handwritten at top of clipping: "1968"]

Former Thornburg Resident Slain in Langley, Oklahoma

Martin H. (Bill) McGimpsey, 58, of Vinita, Oklahoma, an aide at the Eastern State Hospital in Langley, Oklahoma; was shot and killed August 2. His alleged assailant was taken into custody on a charge of murder.

Sheriff R. W. Green placed Dale Eugene Branstetter, 38, a former patient of the hospital, in jail a few hours after the shooting following his arrest at his home northeast of Pryor, Oklahoma.

The sheriff alerted the Mayes County sheriff’s office immediately after the slaying and Branstetter was picked up at his home eight miles from Pryor. He did not resist arrest, officers said.

Sheriff Green said that Branstetter had an almost new .22 Magnum double-barrel pistol in his possession at the time the arrest was made.

McGimpsey had been employed at the state hospital 3 years. He formerly owned and operated McGimpsey Cafe and Bait Shop in Langley.

Martin McGimpsey was born February 13, 1910 in Thornburg. His survivors include his wife Oma, three daughters, Mrs Carol Ann Harris, Wichita, Kansas, Mrs Lois Brown and Mrs Willa Rose Merriott, both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two sons, Martin D. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and William at home; six sisters, Mrs Catherine Shifflet, Deep River, Mrs Ruth Fraiser, Des Moines, Mrs Grace Geyer, Washington, Iowa, Mrs Rachel Bone and Mrs Eva Moore both of Oskaloosa and Mrs Maggie Geyer, What Cheer; and two grandchildren. One sister Mrs Bernice Baker preceded him in death.

Mr McGimpsey was a member of the First Christian church of Langley Oklahoma. Masonic funeral services were conducted there.

Mrs Catherine Shifflet of Deep River and Mrs Ruth Fraiser of Des Moines flew to Vinita, Oklahoma to attend the funeral service of their brother, Martin McGimpsey. Mrs Grace Geyer and her family of Washington drove down.

Oldaker Obituaries

The following obituaries are from newspaper clippings that were collected by Vernon Capps, the husband of my 1st cousin twice removed Gertrude Elloise Geyer. I have photocopies of the obituaries. The Oldakers are related to me by marriage. Burl Oldaker was married to Hazel (McGimpsey) Bone and his brother Charles Henry Oldaker was married to Hazel's sister Mary Jane McGimpsey. Hazel and Mary Jane's sister Grace (McGimpsey) Geyer was my great grandmother.

-- Vada Oldaker --

Vada Oldaker, 83, of Sigourney, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 1993, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

She was born June 12, 1909 near Deep River to Henry and Lela Butcher Wadsworth.

She attended School in Deep River.

She married William LeRoy Oldaker June 5, 1926 in Thornburg.

She lived in Deep River, and moved to Sigourney in 1966. She was a member of the Sigourney Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by one son, Ronald of Marion; two daughters, Mildred Dobbins of Des Moines and Wilma Boatman of Ankeny; 11 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; a brother, Marvin Wadsworth of Des Moines; and a sister, Zelma Treanor of Des Moines.

She was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy February 14, 1993; two sons, Donald and LeRoy; four brothers, Everett, Kenneth, Raymond and Melvin; and a sister, Ada Fish.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 3 at 11 a.m. at the Holm Funeral Home in Sigourney, with Rev. Kate Morgan officiating.

Burial was at the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

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Donna Oldaker

Donna M. “Toddy” Oldaker, 71, of 130 S. Adella died at 3:24 p.m., Aug. 28, 1988, at University Hospitals in Iowa City.

She was born April 9, 1917, in Ottumwa to Bert R. and Marguerite May Bray Mace. She married Burl Oldaker July 3, 1968.

She is survived by her husband; four daughters, Shirley Chory of Baltimore, Md., Dixie McConnell and Vicki McConnell of Cedar Rapids, and Bonnie McNeal of Ottumwa; two sons, Jerry Phillips of Jacksonville, Fla., and Steve Phillips of Ottumwa; a stepson, Vernon Oldaker of Wickenburg, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three step grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty McDavitt of Ottumwa.

The service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Reece Funeral Home, the Rev. George King of Evangelistic Foursquare Church officiating. Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery.
The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Pallbearers will be Dwight, Ervin and Kevin McConnell, Bill and Cliff McNeal, and Guy Ruzicka.

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[Handwritten at top of clipping: "BORN 1865 = 6-24-1937"]

William Oldaker, 71, died at his home early yesterday morning as the result of a stroke.

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Burl Oldaker

Burl Oldaker, 94, of 130 S. Adella died at 4:55 p.m. Oct. 31, 1988, at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.

He was born July 29, 1894, near North English to William George and Annie B. McArtor Oldaker. He had been a resident of Keswick, Wellman and Batavia before moving to Ottumwa in 1968. He was a member of Kilwinning Masonic Lodge 198 in Batavia and had been the mayor of Batavia. He had owned and operated a coal mine in Selma and had been a postal carrier and was a retired railroad employee. He also had been a security guard for Philco Ford in Fairfield. He married Winnie Carmichael in 1914; she died in 1919. He married Hazel Bone; she died in 1951. He then married Donna Phillips July 3, 1968; she died Aug. 28, 1988.

He is survived by a son Vernon H. of Wickenburg, Ariz.; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four stepdaughters, Shirley Chory of Baltimore, Md., Dixie McConnell and Vicki McConnell of Cedar Rapids, Bonnie McNeal of Ottumwa; two stepsons, Jerry Phillips of Jacksonville, Fla. and Steve Phillips of Ottumwa; 14 step-grandchildren, eight stepgreat-grandchildren; three sisters, Alma Axmear and LaVanda Bonnator of Keswick, and Edna Hartman of Ottumwa; and a brother, William LeRoy of Sigourney. He was preceded in death by a son, Starlin, who died in 1941.

The body has been cremated. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Shaul Cemetery, the Rev. George King of the Evangelistic Foursquare Church officiating.

A memorial has been established.

Reece Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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Charles Oldaker

Charles William Oldaker, 82, passed away April 25. He had been living with his son in Callahan, Fla. He was born near Thornburg to Charles Henry and Mary McGimpsey Oldaker.

His formative years were spent in Keswick, Thornburg and Delta. After graduating from Delta High School in 1940 he enlisted in the Army and served in the Army Air Corps. He was most proud of graduating from the Air Corps Pilot School in June 1945 and for serving in the U.S. Air Force. He achieved the rank of Captain with a total of 22 1/2 years service. Later he worked for the Federal Aviation Agency as an air traffic controller before retiring with 20 1/2 years of service.

He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Rose whom he married in August 1951 in Arlington, Va. who passed away in October 1978.

Survivors include two sons Charles O. of Ulysses, Kan. And William S. and wife Kathy, three sisters Florence Pakis of Burgess, Va., Kathleen Rhody of Phoenix, Ariz., and Winnifred Carrigan of Burgess, Va.; two grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was a member of the Christian First Assembly of God Church in Callahan, Fla. He was cremated and his ashes were joined with those of his wife.

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[Handwritten at top of clipping: "JUNE 1980"; appeared in the What Cheer Patriot Chronicle]

Charles Henry Oldaker

Charles Henry Oldaker, 82, of Park View Manor, Wellman, died Wednesday, May 24. He was formerly of Oskaloosa.

He was born March 23, 1898 at Wellman, the son of William George and Annie Bell McArtor Oldaker.

He attended Keswick High School. He was a member of Eagles Lodge in Oskaloosa and was employed by Pella Rolscreen until he retired. The last 14 years he had resided at Park View Manor at Wellman.

He married Mary Jane McGimpsey October 20, 1918 at the Methodist Parsonage in Keswick. She preceded him in death June 23, 1963.

Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Nicholas (Florence I.) Pakis of Silver Springs, Md., Mrs. Francis (Kathleen) Rhody of Phoenix, Ariz., Mrs. Neil (Winnifred) Carrigan of Bowie, Md.; a son, Charles W. Oldaker of Pierre, S.D.; 11 grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Alma Axmear and Mr. LaVanda Bonnater, both of Keswick and Mrs. Edna Hartman of Ottumwa; and three brothers, Burl of Ottumwa, Roy of Sigourney and Lloyd of Oskaloosa.

Preceding him in death besides his parents and wife were two brothers, Warren and Loren and two sisters, Lottie Oldaker and Edith Just.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 7 at 10 a.m., at Holm Funeral Home in Sigourney with Rev. Warren James of the What Cheer Baptist Church officiating.
Music was by Mrs. Harry Landers, organist.

Bearers of the casket were Donald Oldaker, Ronald Oldaker, Rayford Oldaker, Raymond Axmear, Dale Axmear and Jim Moore.

Burial was at Sixteen Cemetery.

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[Handwritten at top of clipping: "OLDAKER 1993"]

Gerald Bonnater

Gerald Duane Bonnater, 59, died Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines.

He was born September 10, 1934 on a farm near Webster, the son of Roy Charles and LaVonda M. Oldaker Bonnater.

The family moved to a farm near Keswick. In 1985 they moved into Keswick where they lived until May of 1991 when Jerry and his mother moved to Ankeny. They were residents of Sunnyview Care Center in Ankeny.

Jerry suffered from Downs Syndrome.

Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Albert (Gladys) Taghon of Keswick and Mrs. Robert (Phyllis) Goldman of Ankeny; eight nieces and nephews and 12 great-nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 9 at Powell Funeral Home in North English with Pastor Don Ridenour officiating.

Music was by organist, Marlene Clubb and soloist Lois Axmear.

Bearers of the casket were Michael Goldman, William Schumacher, Allan Taghon, Dan Taghon, LaVerne Fry and William Augustine.

Burial was in Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

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Roy Oldaker

Roy Oldaker, 91, of Sigourney died Sunday, Feb. 14, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

He was born March 2, 1901, near North English to William George and Annabelle McCarter Oldaker.

He married Vada Wodsworth June 5, 1926, in Thornburg.

He attended School at Keswick. He worked as a farmer, at What Cheer Pottery Co., for Deep River Schools, Amana Refrigeration and at Memorial Hall in Sigourney until retiring in 1981. He came to Sigourney in 1966 and was a member of the Sigourney Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Ronald of Marion; two daughters, Mildred Dobbins of Des Moines and Wilma Botman of Ankeny; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Alma Axmear of Keswick and Edna Heartman of Ottumwa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Donald and William; five brothers, Warren, Loren, Burl, Charley and Lloyd; and three sisters, Edith Just, Lottie Oldaker and Lavinella Bonnater.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 at Holm Funeral Home in Sigourney with Rev. Kate Morgan officiating.

Burial was in Sixteen Cemetery near What Cheer.

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And to finish it out, two more from the Newspaper Collection at Ancestry.com:

Mrs. Anna Oldaker Dies at What Cheer

Wellman--Mrs. Anna Oldaker, 80, died at her home in What Cheer Friday.

She was the daughter of Charles and Marie McArtor and was born in Iowa City. She was married to William G. Oldaker October 7, 1890. He preceded her in death in 1937.

Eleven children were born to them, nine of whom are living, Loren of Olds, Burl of Batavia, Alma A. Mead of Keswick, Charles of Oskaloosa, Lavanda Bonnater of Keswick, Roy of Deep River, Edna Castle of Ottumwa, Edith of What Cheer and Lloyd of Oskaloosa, also two sisters, Mrs. Mary Hall and Mrs. Minnie Lamercox of Wellman, and one brother Burl of North English.

Source: "Mrs. Anna Oldaker Dies at What Cheer," Iowa City Press Citizen 29 Nov 1948, page 7; available from Ancestry.com, full edition, subscription database, <http://www.ancestry.com/>, accessed 19 Feb 2007.

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6 NAVY FLYERS CRASH VICTIMS
Die In Two Accidents; Iowan Killed In One Crash

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- Two navy plane crashes, one in a rain and windstorm, took the lives of six aviators, including one Iowan, from the air station here Wednesday.

Four flyers were killed at Bay Springs, Miss., when a 14-passenger, navel transport plane crashed while returning here from a routine flight to the Kansas City, Mo, naval reserve aviation base. More than 200 persons saw the big plane, buffeted by high winds, emerge from a heavy cloud and plunge to earth.

Among the victims the navy listed Aviation Machinist Mate Starlin R. Oldaker, 25, son of Burl Oldaker of Eldon, Iowa.

The other plane crashed on Santa Rosa peninsula near here.

Source: "6 Navy Flyers Crash Victims," Iowa City Press Citizen 25 Sept 1941, page 9; available from Ancestry.com, full edition, subscription database, <http://www.ancestry.com/>, accessed 19 Feb 2007.

John Moore Family, 1917

This photo is from the IowaGenWeb Keokuk County, Iowa photo gallery. The original page with names of persons pictured can be found here.

Family of John and Mynettie (Phelps) Moore, 1917

John (seated on left in photo) was the brother of my 3rd gr-grandmother Rachel Moore (a photo of her and her children can be found in this previous post). Rachel, John and another sibling, James, all came from County Down, Ireland and eventually settled in Keokuk County, Iowa. John and James served in the Civil War in Company A, 9th Illinois Cavalry. John was a POW held in Atlantica, Georgia for some time.

It appears that there could have been some issues between the children of John Moore by his first wife, Jennie Montgomery, and John's new family. Jennie passed away 5 Oct 1881; John married Mynettie Phelps on 23 Dec 1884. In the 1895 Iowa State Census, his children James A. (age 26), William George (21), and Marie Jane (15) are living separate from him. His son John (18) is living with the new family. James, William and Marie are still living together in the 1900 US Federal Census. None of his older children appear in the photo above, but I have had trouble locating the sons in later censuses, so they may not have lived in the area - Marie (Moore) Whisler was living in Oklahoma in 1910 and Minnesota in 1920.

McGimpsey and Moore family photos

These photos were found in my grandfather Harlan Geyer's possession and are now in my aunt's possession. These families settled in Keokuk County, Iowa, which leads me to believe that the mystery family I posted about previously today must be related.

Henry James McGimpsey, 1860, picture taken off of a glass photo

Henry James McGimpsey was born 13 Oct 1829 in Newtownards, County Down, Ireland. He came to the US sometime in 1860. On 6 May 1862, in Rock Island, IL, he married Elizabeth Hamilton from County Down, Ireland. They are my 3rd great grandparents. After the death of Elizabeth, he married Eliza McLean on 2 Jan 1868. He died 14 Nov 1907.

Rachel Moore and children, 1911
Back row: John C. Moore, James H. Moore, George C. Moore
Front row: Jane M. (Moore) McGimpsey, Rachel (Moore) Moore,
Catherine (Moore) Dusenberry

Rachel Moore was born Aug 1838 in Newtownards, County Down, Ireland. She married James Moore, also from County Down, Ireland, 5 Mar 1866 (they were from different clans). Their children were: Jane M. (Moore) McGimpsey (12 Dec 1866-6 Apr 1938), John C. Moore (23 Dec 1870-11 Dec 1949), James H. Moore (18 Aug 1873-17 Dec 1951), George Cook Moore (Apr 1880-12 Mar 1960) and Catherine (Moore) Dusenberry (8 Oct 1882-31 Jul 1974).

William and Jane Moore McGimpsey with children, 1913

Back row: Catherine Eliza, George William, and Grace Edith

Middle row: Mary Jane, Margaret, Rachel, and Hazel

Front row: William James (father), Ruth, Eva Mae, Bernice, Martin H., and Jane M. (mother)

William McGimpsey (13 Jan 1863-20 Oct 1920) and Jane Moore were married 22 Dec 1892. They had 11 children, including my great grandmother, Grace Edith (McGimpsey) Geyer (b. 1 Jan 1902).

Mystery Family Photo taken in Richland, IA

I have been unable to identify the surname of the family in this photo. The photography studio is located in Richland, Iowa, which is in Keokuk County. Written on the back of the photo is: "Mother, Emily, Wesley, Hanna & Ellen". It was among my grandfather Harlan Geyer's belongings and is now in the possession of my aunt. Do you know who they are?