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Obituaries


Lyman O. DeWitt
The Winfield Daily Courier
Mar 1, 1923

Born: June 1, 1840
Died: Feb. 28th, 1923


Lyman O. Dewitt of 1703 East Seventh died at the home of his nephew, W. A. Dewitt at Akron. Mr. Dewitt was born on June 1, 1840 and was 82 years, 9 months old. He leaves a wife, one son in Los Angeles, nephew W. A. Dewitt of Akron and niece, Mrs. Ella Caldridge. The funeral will be held from the A. E. Morris chapel Friday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock. Burial will be in the North cemetery.

Winfield Daily Courier
Mar 3, 1923

The funeral of Lyman O. Dewitt was held from the A.E. Morris chapel Friday afternoon at three-thirty o’clock and was conducted by Rev. A. Homer Jordan, pastor of the First Christian church. Mrs. Owen Nishet and Mrs. John Schwantes sang “Rock of Ages,” “Jesus Savior Pilot Me” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

The pall bearers were George L. Dewitt, E.J. Dewitt, W. A. Dewitt, George Ahlerich, W. R. Huston and John Tibbitts. Burial was made in Union cemetery. Lyman Orren DeWitt was born in the state of New York, June 21st, 1840; died Feb. 28th, 1923 at the home of his nephew, W.A. DeWitt, 10 miles northwest of Winfield. In boyhood he moved with his parents to Lake county, Indiana. He spent several years of his young manhood in California and on the range in Montana. He afterwards returned to Kansas and settled on a ranch seven miles northwest of Grenola, where in 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Powell. To this union two sons were born, Fred, of Los Angeles, California, and Perle, who died at four years of age.

He moved to Howard, Kansas, where he engaged in the hardware and grocery business for a number of years. His wife died and he moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma. After several years he came to Winfield, Kansas, where he was united in marriage to Mrs. Ella Harris, who survives. He was of kind, generous disposition and highly respected by his many friends and neighbors. The out of town relatives attending the funeral were his nephews, Geo. L. DeWitt of Independence, Kan., and E. J. DeWitt of Arkansas City, Ed Roades and son of Wichita, brother and nephew of Mrs. DeWitt.


Submitted & © 2004 by: Richard Donham


Mrs. Ella DeWitt

Winfield Daily Courier & Free Press
March 18, 1925
(Microfilm # W2285, Kansas State Historical Society)

The funeral service for Mrs Ella DeWitt, whose tragic death occurred Sunday evening, was held Tuesday afternoon from the Morris chapel. Dr. L.D. Harris of the Grace Methodist church officiated and delivered a comforting sermon from the Scripture, "Let not your heart be troubled." Mrs Clara Miller and Mrs. C. W. Green sang " Shall We Gather at the River," "Nearer My God to Thee" and "Jesus Lover of My Soul." Burial was made in Union Cemetary. Mrs DeWitt was born in Clintonville, Franklin county, Ohio, September 10, 1839. She came to Kansas in 1870 and for the most of the time has made her home in Winfield. She was a faithful member of Grace M. E. church. The only surviving relatives are one brother, Edwin Rhoades, and two nephews, Irvin and John Rhoades of Wichita, and a stepson, J. A. Harris, of this city. The pallbearers were A. K. Snyder, Stacy and Ed Graham, Harvey McFarland, Fred Eiche and Frank Youle.
Submitted & © 2004 by: Richard Donham


Diantha Drennan DeWitt
Born: Dec. 5, 1842
Died: March 26, 1902


The Grenola Leader
10 Nov. 1916

Diantha Drennen was born Dec. 5, 1842 in Penn. When four years of age her parents moved to Ill, then to Ind. where she was married to Christopher DeWitt in 1869. To this union were born four sons and one daughter. One son, Dr. Alfred O. died march 26, 1902. She has one sister, Mrs. R. A. Walters of Iowa. She moved to Elk Co., Kansas in 1880, where she resided until 1903 when she moved to Burden.
Mother is rocking thy lowly bed
All night long, all night long.
Happy to smooth thy curley head,
To hold thy hand and to sing her song.
Tis not for the hill folks dwarfed and old,
Nor the song of thy father staunch and bold,
And the burden it beareth is not of gold;
But it is love, love—nothing but love—
Mothers love for her baby.

The funeral services were conducted at the Christian church at Grenola by Mrs. Belle Yates, assisted by Rev. Schooley the local pator at 11 o’clock Sunday, November 4th and the body was followed to its last resting place by a large concourse of friends.

Submitted & © 2004 by: Richard Donham


Christopher DeWitt
Born: September 5, 1837
Died: April 27, 1888


The Grenola Chief
April 29, 1888

Died, at his home, two and one-half miles southwest of this city at 11:20 p.m., April 27, 1888, Christopher S. DeWitt, aged 51 years, 3 months and 18 days.
Mr. DeWitt was born September 5, 1837 in the state of New York, and during childhood moved with his parents to Lake county, Indiana, where he resided for many years. On the first day of January, 1870 he was married to Miss Diantha Drennen, who still survives him. He united with the M. E. church in 1876, since which time his life has been that of a true Christian. He came to Elk county in 1880, settling near the head of Big Cana river, where he remained for four years.

During 1884 he removed to what is known as the Bowden farm, where he resided until his earthly career was ended. He was unconscious the last few days of his sickness, but he often remarked that he was trusting in the Lord in all things and expected to do so as long as he lived.

The funeral, which took place last Tuesday, was one of the largest that has ever occurred in this vicinity. Rev. Colvin, who conducted the exercises, preached an able discourse from Thes 4:17: “And so shall we ever be with the Lord,” after which the remains were accompanied to Green Lawn cemetery by the bereft family and numerous friends and relatives. Mr. DeWitt leaves a wife and five children-four sons and one daughter.
Submitted & © 2004 by: Richard Donham



Annie Mary (Ahlerichs) DeWitt
Born: August 16, 1875
Died: March 31


Winfield Daily Courier & Free Press
Apr. 4, 1930

The Rev. J. Dibbens, assisted by Dr. D. H. Switzer of the First Methodist church, conducted funeral services Thursday afternoon at the First Methodist church for Mrs. W. A. De Witt who died Monday at her home at 1305 East Tenth avenue. Pallbearers were Fred Clarke, George Gary, Charles F. Lynn, H. P. Gott, John Hanlen, and Willard Young. Interment was in Highland cemetery.

Annie Mary Ahlerichs was born August 16, 1875, at Akron and died on March 31 at the age of 54 years, seven months, and 15 days following an illness of two years duration. In 1903, she was married to William A. DeWitt and moved at that time to a farm near Akron where she lived until a short time before her death. Surviving Mrs. DeWitt are her husband, eight children, Mrs. Marie Witmer, Wichita, Mrs. Clara Taton, Bertha DeWitt, Alfred DeWitt, Harold DeWitt, Evelyn DeWitt, Lucille DeWitt and Louise DeWitt, all of Winfield, two grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Lillie Loucks of Newkirk, Okla., and three brothers, Alex, Henry, and George Ahlerichs of Akron.

Submitted & © 2004 by: Richard Donham


Aaron T. Lane
Born: Aug 5, 1840
Died: January 28, 1928


Published in Winfield Courier Feb 1, 1928 The following obituary was read by the Rev. L. W. Rishel during the funeral services held for Aaron Thomas Lane, held from the Baptist church in Dexter, Monday afternoon. Aaron Thomas Lane was born Aug 5, 1840 and died January 28, 1928 at the home of his son T. B. Lane near Dexter. He was married to Matilda C. Epperson at Vienna, Ill, Aug 28, 1867. To this union were born five children; Mrs. Mollie Neilus of Webb City, Ok., Thomas B. Lane of Dexter, Melvina Malone of Commerce, OK, John W. Lane of Bartlesville and William M who died in infancy, and James Franklin Lane by a former marriage to Martha Miller Holt.

He was converted and united with the Baptist church 35 years ago, being a member of this church at the time of his death. He served his country during the civil war, serving three years in company B, 120th regiment of Illinois infantry volunteers. Enrolling on Aug 14, 1862 he was made a sergeant to Capt. John T. Moffett and was honorably discharged Sep 10,1865. Mr. Lane has lived in and near Dexter since 1873 being the last old soldier in Dexter township.

Please e mail me if you have a picture of Aaron or this family to share with me.

JoAnn Lane Stickley
3310 Regatta Place
Oxnard, CA 93035-1612
CESO15@msn.com

Submitted & © 2005 by: JoAnn Lane Stickley



Frederick Gretsinger
Born: December 12, 1831
Died: September 20, 1904


Mr. Frederick Gretsinger died at his home two miles and a half Northeast of Akron, Tuesday, September 20, 1904, at 2:30 p.m. He leaves a wife and four children and six grandchildren to mourn his loss.

He was sick four weeks and during that time was a patient sufferer. He was conscious until the last and a few hours before death he talked to his family about the beautiful home beyond, and ask them to help him sing “God be With You Till we Meet Again.”

The deceased was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, December 12, 1831. he came to this country in 1853 and settled in Ohio. from there he went to Watseka, Iroguois county, Illinois, and there he met and married Miss Theresa Singer, September 10, 1856. to this union nine children were born, of whom four are living, Mrs. Paulina Morton of Winfield; Mrs. Nellie Scroggin of Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Edward and Hattie who are still at home. In 1878 the family moved to Kansas and settled on his farm where he lived until death. The funeral service was held at the house Thursday morning by Rev. Novinger and the remains were laid to rest in the Union cemetery beside his daughter Mrs. Chas. Stueven.

An Early Comer to the County Passed Away.
The funeral of Frederick Gretsinger of Fairview township occurred Thursday afternoon, he having died two days previously of a dropsical affection and the breaking down of old age. Rev. Novinger of New Salem, conducted the funeral services.
The deceased was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Dec. 12, 1831, and was, therefore close to seventy-three years old at the time of his death. In 1856 he emigrated to America and settled, first in Ohio, and later, in Illinois. Twenty-five years ago he moved to Cowley, and has resided here ever since. His wife survives him. Four children were present at funeral. Mrs. Paulina Morton, of Winfield, Mrs. Nellie Scroggin of Blackwell, and Edward and Hattie Gretsinger, who have been living with their parents. Fred Morton, a grand son, came up from Arkansas City to attend the funeral. The interment was in Union cemetery.
Submitted & © 2005 by: Matthew Ferricks


John A. Crawford

John A. Crawford Dead
John A. Crawford, 61, for many years, a resident of Winfield, died Thursady evening at about 11:50 very suddenly from a heart attack. Mr. Crawford has been a patient at the hospital for several days, where he was taking medical treatment, but was thought to be improving satisfactorily and his death come as a distinct shock. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Cora J. Crawford to whom he was married, September 11, 1889. The family came to Kansas in 1906.

Beside his wife, one daughter and three sons surivve. They are: Mrs. Claude M. Neilson, of Ponca City, Okla., and James, George and Homer Crawford, all of Winfield. The funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 10 o'clock from the Durrin and Swisher undertaking parlor, with Rev. J. M. McClelland in charge. The body will be shipped to Farm Ridge, Ill., near Streator where he will be buried in the Farm Ridge township cemetery beside his people.
Submitted & © 2005 by: Matthew Ferricks


HIRAM BROTHERTON

WINFIELD DAILY COURIER, Wednesday, August 24, 1921

HIRAM BROTHERTON DIES
Came to Winfield in Early Days; Insurance Man Here Word was received in Wichita Tuesday of the death Monday at Hollywood, Cal., of Hiram Brotherton, 82, of heart failure. Mr. Brotherton, who was in the insurance business in Wichita for many years passed away at the home of his daughter Mrs. A. L. Tripp.

Mr. Brotherton came to Emporia from Indiana in 1871 and freighted through to Winfield where he opened a general store. He was one of the organizers of the first Sunday School in Winfield and was a member of the Winfield Commandery.

After spending a number of years in Wichita in the insurance business Mr. Brotherton went to California for his health last year. While here he was a faithful member of the First M. E. Church and a charter member and ardent worker in the men's Bible class. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. A. L. Trip, Hollywood, Calif., Mrs. George Lang, San Francisco and Mrs. Clarence Middleton, Melzar apartments, Wichita. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Burial will be in charge of the Masons of Winfield. Wichita Eagle. Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Middleton of Wichita were in Winfield Tuesday evening making arrangements for the funeral and burial of Mrs. Middleton's father, Hiram Brotherton. The body is expected here Saturday morning accompanied by his daughter, Mrs. A. L. Tripp. The funeral will be held from the Durrin and Swisher chapel and the time will be announced later.

WINFIELD DAILY COURIER, Saturday, August 27, 1921

Masons Attention
The funeral of Brother Hiram Brotherton will be held from Durrin and Swisher Undertaking parlors 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, August 28. Also the funeral of Brother Wm. R. Abel will be held from his home at 906 East Seventh at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow, August 28. All Brothers requested to attend Masonic services at the grave of both services.
LESLIE O. PHILLIPS, W.M., D. O. WATTS, Sec'y.

WINFIELD DAILY COURIER, Monday, August 29, 1921

The funeral of Hiram Brotherton was held from the Durrin and Swisher chapel Sunday afternoon at two-thirty o'clock, Rev. R. S. Sargent conducted the service which was attended by many former friends of the Brotherton family. Mrs. P. W. Gibson and Mrs. Tracy Irvin sang "Abide With Me" and "Rock of Ages." The pall bearers were Masons from the Winfield lodge which attended in a body and conducted the service at the grave in Union cemetery. Mrs. Arnold Tripp of Hollywood, California and Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Middleton of Wichita were the out of town relatives here.

Card of Thanks
We wish to express our appreciation to the many friends for their kindness at the burial of our father, Hiram Brotherton. We wish especially to thank the Masonic Lodge and Mrs. Gibson and Mrs. Irvin.
Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Middleton
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Tripp

Submitted & © 2005 by: Louise Havens


Malissa Durham

Stillwater Gazette - January 31, 1913

Born: September 7, 1861
Died: January 22, 1913


Mrs. Malissa Durham was born in Hamilton County, Illinois, September 7, 1861 and died at the family home east of Stillwater, Okla., January 22, 1913, after an illness of six weeks, during which time every possible thing that loving hands and hearts could do was done for this devoted wife and mother, whose entire life was so lovingly given for the benefit or her family's success, advancement and pleasure.

Mrs. Durham's parents moved from Illinois to Kansas in 1876. She united with the Advent church at the age of 16 years, her father [Jacob French, b. Dec. 12, 1808, near Amity, PA] being a minister of the church, but recently she became a member of the Christian church at Stillwater. She was married to A. J. Durham in 1880, moved to Oklahoma in 1889 - a noble pioneer woman settling on their farm at the opening of this country, no one knowing better than she the trials and hardships of those early days. She bore them patiently and bravely. Her time and strength were willingly shared with all her neighbors and friends in their hours of sickness or trouble. She was a good Christian mother, a helpful neighbor, never too busy to lend a hand to those needing assistance. One of the best traits in her character was the tender heart she so unhesitatingly shared with her family and others. There is scarcely a neighbor but could tell you that she came to them in their hour of trial or grief and watched through long hours ministering to the sick or comforting the sorrowing.

The deceased leaves a husband, two sons and four daughters, Samuel Bert in the Philippines, William of Arkansas City, Kansas; Mrs. May Wilde [Sophronia May Durham] of Terlton; the Misses Pearl [Edna Pearl] and Ferne [Fern Joy], and little Alpha [Sarah Alpha]. Two children have preceded the mother to the better world [Maud (9 days) and Myrtle Durham (6 years - see above photo)]. The family were all with her during her illness, except Samuel B. Durham, the eldest son, who soon after being graduated from the Agricultural and Mechanical college went to the Philippines, where he has for number of years held a position as an instructor in the Agricultural school, consequently was unable to be at his mother's bedside.

Besides the immediate family, there are brothers and sisters left to mourn her loss, but they mourn not as one without a hope.

The funeral service was conducted by Rev. L. C. Ilsley, whose remarks were a tribute to the mother of this home. A quartet sang "Nearer My God to Thee" and "Asleep in Jesus." E. J. Smith sang very effectively, as a solo, the deceased's favorite hymn, "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere." The friends in both city and country showed their sympathy and love by their presence and the tokens of the rarest of white carnations, narcissus, pink lillies and choice ferns which completely covered the beautiful casket. The pall-bearers chosen from the daughter's classes in college, carried very tenderly, the flower laden casket to its last resting place.

Those in attendance from abroad besides the family were Mrs. Durham's sisters, Mrs. Cora Young, of Tulsa, and Mrs. Elizabeth Martin, of Arkansas City.

Somewhere the sun is shining, Somewhere the song-birds dwell; Hush ! Then, thy sad repining, God lives, and all is well.

The many friends all over the county and elsewhere extend their deepest sympathy to Mr. Durham and family in this sad hour, and may the guiding hand of this mother lead them to meet her in the better land.

[Malissa's Father, Jacob French, b. Dec 12, 1808, near Amity, PA; d. Dec. 14, 1880, Arkansas City, Kansas; married (1st) Sarah Elizabeth LeFevre. Children were Naomi; Jelia Ann; Minor; Asa; Charles Lemuel. married (2nd) Dica McMann, widow of Levi Baker. Children were Elizabeth; Jacob; Malissa Emaline (Durham); William Samuel; Ama and Ida (twins); Cora; Sophronia. Malissa's father was a Baptist preacher, but late in life became an Adventist. In 1849 he traveled overland from Kosciusco County, Indiana, to California, in search of gold.]

Submitted & © 2005 by: Jack Durham


Flora Edna Corliss Fitzgerald

Arkansas City Daily News
April 9, 1914, page 7

Born: January 29, 1882
Died: April 8, 1914


MRS. PHILLIP FITZGERALD DEAD.
Wife of Western Union Manager Died Suddenly Yesterday

Mrs. Flora E. Fitzgerald age thirty-two years, wife of Phillip Fitzgerald, manager of the Western Union Telegraph company of this city died suddenly, having succumbed shortly after the birth of a son. The baby is also dead and today the Fitzgerald home is doubly enshrouded with grief, there being left to mourn the death of wife and mother, two little boys (Corliss L. and Loren) and the father.

Funeral service will be conducted at the home 715 North Second Street tomorrow at ten o'clock, after which the bodies will be taken to the South Winfield (Highland) Cemetery for interment (Diamond Division - Block 2, Row XIV, B127). The services will be conducted by Rev. Hestwood, pastor of the local Methodist church.

The deceased is also survived by a mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Corliss of Winfield, who are here at this time. Mr. Fitzgerald has a host of friends here who will greatly sympathize with him and his family in their sudden bereavement.

Added note: Flora was born in Aroma, Kankakee Co., IL. Her parents, Lazelle Darwin CORLISS and Francis A. CHAPMAN were both born in Geauga Co., OH. Phillip FITZGERALD was born September 4, 1879 in Clintonia Township, DeWitt Co., IL. I have extensive information on all families dating back to early 1800s.

Submitted & © 2006 by: Nancy Cameron Armstrong



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