Modale Obituary Page

Contributed by: Gene Strain

Obituary of Michael Wallace

     On Thursday last, 28 August 1890, Michael Wallace, another of Harrison County's old settlers passed over the life line to death after a brief illness of about ten hours. He was taken with cholera morbus, subsequently follow, by a congestive chill, from which the grand old hero never recovered.
     Mr. Wallace was born in Huntington County, Pennsylvania, 9 October 1823, was a collier by trade and was engaged in that business until he left and came to this part of the country. In the spring of 1855, arriving in Omaha, Nebraska, he worked there during the summer of 1855, and thence came to Clay township I Harrison county, in the fall, and started a wood yard on the bank of the Missouri River in Sec. 8, clay township, about one and one-half miles south of what is now known as Elm Point. It was here our grand old hero began the wood business, furnishing with fuel the steam boats that then ran on the river, and it was the captain of one to these boats, that gave the scope of land along the river about ten miles long and from two to six miles wide the name of "Sandy Point," as our friend was a man of sandy complexion and the wood yard was called "Sandy's Point."
     He continued in the wood business some two years, when he purchased the old Borum saw mill and located it in Raglan township, and it was here wooed and wed to a Miss Sarah McPete in 1861, and settled down to begin life anew. He toiled a long for a few years, when he again removed to Clay township taking a partnership in the mill of one of Harrison Counties old settlers known to all as Levi Motz and Burnet.
     The mill was then known as the mill of Wallace, Motz & Co., the business kept up for about two years. When in 1862 was born to our old hero his first child, a boy who has grown to manhood and is known to every one as William Wallace, the old man moved down on the lost land and there he raised his family, all now living six sons grown to manhood, namely: William, F. W. , J. H. , J. C., R. B., and E. E. Wallace; before the old man passed away. His family is among the best and honorable of men in Harrison County and are respected by all who know them.
     In 1883, the small pox visited the little family and the dreaded disease carried from this world one of the sweetest and dearest of all, the wife and mother of the family and one daughter. But this did not break up this little band" they clung together and the father was loved and cherished by every member of the family and by all who knew him, and his death is a sad thing to us all and to the hundreds of people who mourn with us the loss of our old hero.
     As a raftsman he was a man of great courage and ability, and his equal as a pilot was seldom seen on our river. When 65 years of age he piloted a raft down the river, said by one raftsmen to be the largest one they had ever seen run, and he handled an oar stem with equal rapidity and nerve as any man aboard. He was 66 years, 10 months and 20 days old, was a citizen of Harrison County for 34 years, and was one of those who pushed out to the great west and took hold of the hardships that has built this country up to what it is today. Friends, do you ever think of what the first settlers had to undergo to make this country what it is today? When our hero came here there were no fences, no big farms or farm houses or barns, nothing but a vast prairie and a forest of timber. Did you ever stop and think that in those days there were no corn fields where now there are thousand of acres of wheat and corn. I would say to my very young friends that only for the push and energy of such men as this in our drama, our vast prairies and forests of timber would not be what they are today. But those men, fathers, and mothers, are fast passing away from life unto death, and we must consider that we will all sooner or later follow in their footsteps. On the 21st of the month was held the Old Settlers meeting at Magnolia. The writer was there and saw hundreds of those pioneers with hearty welcome shaking one another hands, a great many probably for the last time forever, for before they meet again God my touch the life cord and they will be no more, they will have passed away form earth to heaven, where no sorrow ever comes. Now my young friends, let us honor our old settlers, honor them for what they have done in their past life, and when we come to settle up with the troubles and trials of this world, we will feel better prepared to go, and can say that the country we have left was due to our old hero, heroes like the one that has passed away.
James McPherson

Obituary for Levi Motz

     Levi Motz was born in Pennsylvania, 21 April 1828 and died at the home of daughter, Mrs. John Taylor, in Decatur, Nebraska 26 May 1914 at 6 p.m. following several months of decline in strength and sickness aged 86 years 1 month and 5 days.
     When a young man he came to Tipton County Indiana. In 1854 he came to Iowa and in 1856 he was married to Elizabeth Burcham at Magnolia, Iowa.   To their union 11 children were born--9 daughters and 2 sons. All of his children survive him except one daughter who died several years ago. His wife died 36 years ago.
     Of recent years he has visited with his children, coming to the home of his daughter in Decatur about three months ago,
     The funeral services were conducted on Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the Presbyterian church and his body was laid to rest in the Decatur cemetery, Decatur, Nebraska.
     The deceased was an uncle of Geroge and J. L. Motz. He was well known to all the earlier settlers in Harrison County.

Obituary for Mrs. J. C. Wallace
nee: Georgia E. Linn

     though it had been know for several years the Mrs. J. C. Wallace was in failing health, the announcement of her death Friday morning came as a surprise and shock to the community. she had just lived on uncomplaining to a place where her resistance failed and she was carried to the other world.
     Georgia E. Linn, daughter of Sylvester J. and Katie Linn, was born 6 March 1870, at Aurora, Illinois, and came with her parents to Harrison County Iowa, at the age of three months.
     They established the Linn homestead on the east bank of Linn Lake, only a short distance from her future home, where she passed away 3 July 1936 at the age of 66 years, 4 months and 26 days.
     Her girlhood was typical of the times. She learned early the valuable lessons of good conduct, honesty, industry and thrift. Her early education was obtained in the rural schools of her township, which with the able guidance of her father, himself a teacher, was both broad and thorough. This was supplemented later by a course in the Woodbine Normal. Thus equipped, she taught for several years in the schools of Harrison County.
     On 7 February 1894 she was married to James C. Wallis and the young couple established their home only a short distance from her childhood home. To this happy union were born five children, all of whom were present at the funeral.   They were Mrs., Hazel Donn, of Mondamin; Vincent, of Walthill, Nebraska; Mrs. Harriet Burford, of Augusta, Kansas; Kenneth, of Baltimore, Maryland; and Miss Florence of Mondamin.
     The wholesome lessons of life, learned in childhood, became her guiding principles as wife and mother. She was of cheerful disposition and her simple Christian faith was a staff of strength during her life. Her life was devoted to the care, happiness and welfare of her husband and children. She sought neither the world's pleasures nor its applause. she was kind and helpful as a neighbor, faithful and helpful as a wife, wise, loving and tender as a mother. Happily and uncomplaining she sacrificed personal comfort and pleasures for her family and home.   She was fond of flowers and her home was always made bright with them. She lived her entire life in one community where she merited and enjoyed the admiration and respect of all.
     Besides the children mentioned above, she is survived by a brother Sylvester J. Linn, of Omaha, Nebraska; and a sister, Mrs. Mayda Hancock of North Platte, Nebraska.
     The funeral services was held at the Church of Christ at 2:00 o'clock Monday afternoon. The speaker was Elder W. R. Adams of the L.D.S. Church which Mrs. Wallace had served so long and so well. There was a beautiful display of flowers and a large attendance of the old time friends and relatives.
     Burial was at Magnolia,

Obituary of Kate Wallace

     Mrs. Kate Wallace, 84 resident of the Modale community for 82 years, died at her home there at 3:30 a.m. Monday.
     She was born 20 August 1865 at Hamburg, Iowa. Her husband William Wallace, died 5 June 1914.
     Mrs. Wallace is survived by three daughters, Mrs. James Yutesler of Modale, Iowa; Mrs. K. L. Vittitoe of Mondamin, Iowa and Mrs. Aaron Strain of Modale, Iowa; a sister Mrs. Belle Darmel of Little Sioux, Iowa; two brothers, William Davis of Modale and Albert Davis of Bronson, Iowa; 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
     The body is at the Hardy-Yutesler funeral home in Missouri Valley and will remain there until time of the services.
     The rites will be held in the funeral home at 2:20 p.m., Wednesday with the Rev. Charles Horejs, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, officiating. Mrs. Lester Yager will be vocal soloist.
     Internment will be in the Calhoun Cemetery.
Pallbearers: George, Sam, Walter and Lehman Vittitoe, Frank Neff and Harry Lightell.

Obituary for Albert Davis

     Funeral services for Albert Davis, 90 of Bronson, who died Tuesday at a hospital after a long illness, will be at 1:20 p.p. Thursday at Elliott Creek Presbyterian church at Bronson. Rev. Walter Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Logan Park Cemetery in Sioux City under direction of the W. Harry Christy Morningside funeral home.
     He was born 1 May 1867 in Hamburg, Iowa. He married Rhoda Smith in 1892 in Blair, Nebraska. The couple resided in Walhill, Nebraska before coming here in 1921. They resided most recently in Bronson.
     Mr. Davis was a member of Elliott Creek Presbyterian church in Bronson. His wife died in 1827 in Sioux City, Iowa.
     He also was preceded in death by a daughter, Bessie, who died in 1928 in Sioux City and a son Ivan, who died in 1920 in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
     survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Harriet Taylor of Sioux falls, south Dakota; four sons, Clyde, Harold, Bud and Everett, all of Sioux City, Iowa; a brother, Willie of Modale, Iowa, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Note: Albert was the son of Richard and Susan Little Davis.

Obituary for William Loyd Wallace

     William Loyd Wallace was born in Clay Township, Harrison County, Iowa, 2 December 1860 and died at his hoe north west of Modale, Iowa 5 June 1914 aged 53 years, 6 months and 3 days.
     He was married to Miss Kate Davis, also a resident of Harrison County on 9 November 1883. To this union there were born four children; three girls; Mrs. James Yutesler of Modale, Iowa; Mrs. Kelly Vittitoe of Woonsockt, south Dakota and Susie who resides at home, and one boy, William Howard who also resides at home.
     Mr. Wallace lived his entire live in clay township. He was the oldest of a family of nine children of which five brothers survive him, namely, Frank, and Emory of Desota, Nebraska, James, George and Bruce of Mondamin.
     the funeral services were held at the home last Sunday morning and were in charge of the Mondamin I.O.O.F lodge of which he was a member. Rev. Findley of Modale M. E. church preached the funeral sermon. The body was laid to rest in the cemetery at Calhoun. The bereaved members of the family have the sympathy of the entire community in this great trial.

Card of Thanks
we wish to heartily thank our many friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted us during the hours of sickness and death of our beloved husband and father.
Mrs. W.L. Wallace and family

Obituary of Sam Davis

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     Sam Davis, one of Aitkins county's most progressive farmers, passed away Tuesday night at his farm home a few miles northeast of town. The end came after a long period of illness, the last eight months of which he spent most of the time confined to his bed.
     Mr. Davis was but 59 years old at the time of his death and during the years he had lived here he had built up one of the most attractive farms in the county. He and Mrs. Davis were among the pioneers in the turkey industry.   Their birds had become know in many states of the union for their fine quality.
     Sam Davis was born 17 November 1881 in Modale, Iowa the son of Richard and Susan Little, Iowa pioneers.
     He grew to manhood at the place of his birth and on December 31, 1903 he married Bessie Layton at Blair, Nebraska. They made their home in Modale for several years before moving to Aitkin in March 1913.
     Survivors are Mrs. Davis and four daughters, Mrs. Dale Alton (Velma) of Little Sioux, Iowa; Mrs. Dave LeDoux (Frances, Crosby; Mrs. Kermit Broselle (Wilma) Aitkin; Mrs. Eugene Wallis (Loretta) Little Sioux, Iowa; 3 grandchildren, Bobby Broselle, Leonard LeDoux, Judy Jean Wallis; three brothers, Tom, Mondamin, Iowa, Albert, Hornick, Iowa; William, Modale, Iowa; 2 sisters, Mrs. Kate Wallace, Modale; Mrs. Belle Ferris, Oregon. A son died in infancy.
     The body will lie in state at the home until tomorrow (Friday) when he will be brought to the Seavey funeral home where a Christian Science funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m.
     Arthur Porter, C.B.S. of Minneapolis will conduct the service and Miss ?? will be the soloist with piano accompaniment by V. Escher.
     Paul bearers are W. T. Mount, B. Hassman, R. C. Williams, Albert Hassman, Jim bigger and C. V. Cline. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery.
Note: Sam Davis was the son of Richard and Susan Little Davis

Obituary of Mrs. W. M. Sharpnack

     Funeral services for Mrs. W. M. Sharpnack were held at Modale Church of Christ last Saturday afternoon, with T. H. Jeys of Nevada, Iowa in charge. Internment was made in Calhoun cemetery. Music was furnished by a quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. David Wiltse, Mrs. Geo. Parker and Mr. will Lockling, with Miss Neita Harvey as pianist.
     The death of Mrs. Sharpnack came as a great shock to old friends and relatives here, who were concerned about the condition of Mr. Sharpnack, forgetting the weaken condition of his wife.
     The casket, together with the family arrived on the flyer at 8 o'clock and was taken to the fountain home.
     Among those from out of town for the funeral were: W.M. and Blandena Sharpnack, Merriam, Kansas; Mrs. Ella Johnson, Cozad, Nebraska; W. I Sharpnack, Lycan, Colorado; Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Sharpnack, Omaha, Nebraska; Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Sharpnack, Sioux City, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. John West, Whiting, Iowa; Gussie West and Frank West, Onawa, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Mobley, Blenco, Iowa; Mrs. Dot Mullen, Sioux City, Iowa; Mrs. Robena Gruber, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

	Modale Obituaries
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