Barber County Kansas

The Barber County Index, May 20, 1937.

MRS. WILLIAM AXTELL

Florence Isabelle Vennum was born November 12, 1856 in Fayetteville, Iowa, died May 12, 1937 at Medicine Lodge, Kansas, age 80 years and 6 months. She was the eldest of eight children born to Thomas J. and Lucinda J. Vennum. The family moved to Watseka, Illinois in 1857 where she grew to womanhood and was married to William Axtell, March 18, 1879. They came to western Kansas in 1884. The family lived in Colorado and New Mexico for a short time moving to Medicine Lodge, April 21, 1889 and has made it her home since that time.

To this union were born twelve children, three of whom died in infancy. Her husband preceded her in death January 20th, 1923. One daughter, Oma Kimsy died July 20, 1934 and her eldest son, Dan H. Axtell died Jan. 1, 1936. She leaves to mourn her passing two sons and five daughters. They are, Ned V. Axtell, Mrs. May Woodward, Mrs. Iva Warren of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Mrs. Frankie Grigsby, Chicago, Ill., Mrs. Coy Mitchell, Harry Axtell, Lake City, Kansas, and Mrs. Mary Hybsha, Argonia, Kansas. One sister Mrs. Lurancy Binning, Long Beach, California, two brothers, Scuylor C. Vennum, Fort Scott, Kansas, and Frank T. Vennum, Anthony, Kansas. Also thirty-nine grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

Mrs. Axtell has been a member of the Presbyterian church in Medicine Lodge for about forty-five years.

Funeral services were conducted from the First Presbyterian church Friday afternoon at 2:30, Rev. F. H. Hayward conducted the services assisted by R. C. Scott. Interment was in the Highland cemetery.


Dan H. Axtell, eldest son of Florence Axtell.

Elmer F. Vennum, brother of Florence (Vennum) Axtell.

Darius V. Woodward, husband of May Isabel Axtell; son in law of Florence (Vennum) Axtell.

Pattie Joan Axtell, grand-daughter of Florence (Vennum) Axtell.




Last Updated:  

Barber County Home page