Geary, Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley, son of Thomas F. and Mary Geary, was born in Chester,
(Delaware County) Pennsylvania, September 6th, 1854. He was the youngest of
a family of six and the last survivor. His mother died when he was about 2
years old, and at the age of 5 the father brought the family to Missouri.
They settled on a farm near the mouth of Big Buffalo, where in early manhood
C.W. established a store and later a post office and named it Zora.
The beginning of his merchandisiing was on a very small scale, hauling all
his merchandise from Sedalia, that being the nearest railroad station at
that time. Later, from Versailles, Cole Camp, and Stover in order, as the
railways came nearer. As the shipping facilities came nearer his store
became larger until it reached its peck when the Bagnell Dam was built and
he was compelled to forfeit his business and moved to Stover, where he spent
his remaining years.
Uncle Charley, as he was known to all his friends, was a man that never
had an enemy. He was a silent little man; never talked more than necessary,
therefore, his tongue never offended. His worse fault, if a fault it could
be called, was extreme charity. The poor, deserving or undeserving, received
his charity. It is a known fact, had he received a fair profit on the goods
he handled, together with his losses on bad accounts, he would have been the
owner of a small fortune.
C.W. was married to Nancy R. Spears, on August 23rd, 1874. To this union
one son was born, Wm. F., who survives. His wife preceded him in death
December 21st, 1923.
The deceased leaves one son, William F., with whom he resided, one
granddaughter, Mrs. Chas. H. Brady of Sedalia, two grandsons, Norman L. and
Chas. W. of Stover, and one half-sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Brown of Stover;
four great grandchildren, Margaret Fern, Mary Eva and Charles Junior Brady
and Myrna Joyce Geary. Also many distant relatives.
At an early age he united with the Baptist church of which he has remained
a member. He departed this life at 4:00 A.M. April 23rd, 1939, attaining the
age of 84 years, 7 months and 17 days.
He no doubt is traveling that long, long trail that leads into the land we
love, where the Angels wait to make him one of them, in the land not made by
human hands, eternal in the Heavens "that undiscovered country from whose
bourne no traveler returns"

Boatright, Walter James
Walter James Boatright was born at Zora, Benton County, on April 28, 1896.
He passed away at his home in Stover April 14th, 1959. He reached the age of
62 years, 11 months and 16 days.
On January 3, 1923, he was united in marriage with Blanche Dilcom. They
resided on a farm until 1939, when they moved to Stover. Walter had been an
employee of the State Highway Department for 16 years. He served with the
Armed Forces during World War 1. He was a member of the Shilo Christian
Church.
Walter is survived by his wife, Blanche of the home; three sons, Loren of
Stover; Arnold of Dodge City, Kansas; and Larry of the home. Also surviving
is one brother, Henry of Cole Camp, and two sisters, Margaret Stennett of
Kansas City, and Zora Chamberlain of Junction City, Kansas. There are six
grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon at the Methodist Church
in Stover, Rev. Wilbanks officiating. Members of the American Legion served
as pall bearers. Burial was in the Stover cemetery.

Crenshaw, Joseph Howard
Joseph Howard Crenshaw passed away at 1am Wednesday, Nov. 30, 1960, at the
home of his daughter, Mrs. Rose Kempinsky, at Hannibal, Mo.
Mr. Crenshaw was born Feb. 22, 1887, in Benton County, near Warsaw. He
attained the age of 73 years, 2 months and 22 days.
He had been in ill health for about 14 months.
Mr. Crenshaw was the son of Joe and Matilda Crenshaw.
On October 5, 1908, he was united in marriage to Nellie Christian. To this
union 5 children were born. Mrs. Crenshaw preceded him in death in April,
1927; also an infant daughter.
Survivors include 3 daughters-- Mrs. Rose Kempinsky, Hannibal, Mo.; Mrs.
Lillie Irby, Batesvilles, Ark.; Mrs. Elsie White, Hannibal, Mo.;one son, Joe
Crenshaw, Hale, Mo.; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are 4 brothers and one sister--Lon Crenshaw of
Windsor,Mo.,E.A. Crenshaw of Windsor, Mo., John Crenshaw of South Gate,
Calif., Orlie Crenshaw, Burney, Calif., one sister, Mrs. Blanche Heffner,
Portland, Ore.
One brother, James I. Crenshaw of Stover,Mo., preceded him in death Aug.
16, 1959.
Other survivors are four half-brothers, Wes Smith, Blue Lake, Calif.; Leo
and Denver Crenshaw, Browning, Ill.; Fred Crenshaw of Beardstown, Ill.;two
half-sisters, Pauline Stivenson, St. Charles, Mo., Mrs. Ruby Hagar now
deceased. Three step-brothers, Aubrey Newman, Stover, Mo., Roy and Lewis
Newman, Kirkwood, Mo.
Mr. Crenshaw was recently sonverted in the Nazarene church at Batesville,
Ark.
Funeral services were held at the Stover Methodist Church Nov. 3rd, the
Rev. Prentice H. Wilbanks officiating.

Marriott, Thomas Monroe
Thomas Monroe Marriott, son of Milas and Mary Marriott, was born in Morgan
County, Mo., October 10, 1881, and passed away at Bothwell Hospital in
Sedalia, Mo., after an illness of one week. Death came on Sunday, July 6th.
He was 76 years, 8 months and 25 days old.
On March 28, 1909 he was united in marriage to Gracy Silvey.
In 1928 he professed his faith in Christ through baptism. He was a member
of the Locust Baptist Church.
Mr. Marriott is survived by his widow; also by one foster daughter, Mrs.
Gladys Heppard of Stover; one sister, Mrs. Ella Silvey, of St. Joseph, Mo.,
three brothers, Jim Marriott of Duncan, Oklahoma; Harrison Marriott of St.
Joseph, Mo., Robert Marriott of Troy, Kansas; three grandchildren, nine
nieces and seven nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.
"Uncle Tom" was a good friend and neighbor, and will be sadly missed by a
large host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services and burial were at Ritchie.

Braden, Paul G.
Paul G. Braden, son of the late Dr. J.A. Braden and Julie Lumpee Braden,
was born at Boylers Mills, Mo., March 10, 1882. He passed away August 31,
1959, at Bellflower, California. He attained the age of 77 years, 5 months
and 21 days.
On March 1, 1911, he was united in marriage to Maggie Taylor who preceded
him in death July 3, 1943.
He is survived by one son, Reid Braden, of Lakewood, California; a
daughter, Maxine Aulgar of Bellflower, Calif., a brother, Terry Braden,
Huntington Beach, Calif.; three sisters, Mrs. Cecil Jones, Norwalk, Calif.;
Mrs. Hilla Wright, Yakami, Wash.; and 7 grandchildren--Mrs. Janice Burke,
Paul Braden, Carol Braden, Marsha Braden, Dennis Braden, Connie and Ronnie
Aulgar, and one great-grandchild, Sherryl Burke. Also a host of relatives
and friends.
Funeral services were held on Friday, September 4th, at the Stover
Methodist Church, the Rev. Prentice Wilbanks officiating. Burial was in the
Stover cemetery.
 

Butts, Willis Worth
Willis Worth Butts, son of Benjamin and Susan Butts, was born August 2nd,
1878, and departed this life at 8:30p.m. on August 24th, 1954, being at the
time of his death 76 years and 22 days.
On August 28, 1930, he was united in marriage with Bernice Kreglinger, who
survives him. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one
sisiter. Surviving besides his wife are one sister, Mrs. Nellie Crouch of
Climax Springs, and Ray Butts of Lincoln, Mo. Also surviving are six
step-grandchildren, 18 step great grandchildren; a host of nieces and
nephews and other relatives.
Mr. Butts was converted at the age of 14 years. He was ordained into the
ministry in 1917. At the time of his death he was a member of Mt. Calvary
Free Will Baptist Church. He lived a devouted Christian life and was loved
and respected by all who knew him.
 

Ford, Dorothy Jane (Simmons)
Once again the Angel of Death has been in our midst and claimed for his
own a beloved wife and mother, Dorothy Jane Ford.
Mrs. Ford was the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Simmons and was born
November 12, 1895 in Morgan County, Mo., where she spent her entire life.
She passed away September 26, 1936, at the age of 40 years, 10 months and 14
days.
She was married to Calvin Ford on April 21st, 1917 in Sedalia.
Early in life she confessed her faith in Christ and lived according to her
understanding until the end.
Surviving are her husband, five children, Murl, Thelma, Mildren, Irene and
Donald; her aged parents and four brothers and three sisters; also a host of
other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were conducted Monday at 10 a.m. by Rev. Butts and
interment was in St. Pauls cemetery.

Pontius, Aegus
FORMER WELL KNOWN CITIZEN DIED IN IOWA
Aegus Pontius, age 84, retired farmer and former Missouri resident, died
Friday morning at the home of his son, Carl R. Pontius, following a two
month illness.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Bruce Memorial Chapel in Fort
Dodge. The Rev. John R. Siems, pastor of Riverview Community Baptist Church,
officiated. Burial was in Memorial Park cemetery.
Mr. Pontius is survived by his wife, Dora; by two daughters, Mrs.
R.R.Hankins of Baldwin Park, Calif., and Mrs. A.E. Dietrich of Southgate,
Calif., and a son Carl, of Fort Dodge. Also surviving are six grandchildren,
one great-granddaughter, and two sisters, Mrs. Callie Kelly of Leeton,Mo.,
and Mrs. Frnaces Pontius of Sedalia, Mo.
Aegus Pontius' parents , Mr and Mrs. Uriah Pontius, and several brothers
and sisters preceded him in death.
Born May 24, 1873, in Washington County, Kansas, Mr. Pontius was reared in
that vicinity. He was married to Miss Anna Bretz at St. Joseph, Mo., and
they lived in Missouri until her death in 1904. Mr. Pontius was married to
Miss Dora Merriott at Ritchie, Mo., on Dec. 8, 1912. They farmed near
Stover, Mo. for many years before moving to Fort Dodge, Iowa 5 years ago.

Taylor, W.H.
Mr. W.H. Taylor, better known as Wade Taylor, who formerly lived south of
Stover, died at his home in Gilmore City, Iowa, Saturday, July 18, 1953, of
a paralytic stroke.
Mr. Taylor was born near Proctor in Morgan county , June 21, 1882, the
oldest son of Rufus N. Taylor and wife. He grew into manhood in that
community and was married to Miss Maud Campbell, July 1904. To this union
were born ten children, namely; Gertrude, Opal, Earl, Dee, Pearce, Guy,
Clyde, Lois, Donna and Obie Dean, all of whom survive him. He is also
survived by his wife, a sister, Mrs. Bessie Dilcom of Long Beach, Calif., a
brother, Athel Taylor, of Little Buffalo community, several grandchildren
and a host of relatives and friends. He united with the Christian Church
many years ago and remained faithful to that religion throughout his life.
His age was 71 years and 27 days.
This obituary was writted by his brother, Athel Taylor.
Grube, Elizabeth (Smith)
Mrs. Henry Grube, passed way very suddenly at the home of her son, Mr. and
Mrs. Walter Grube, at 1:15 o'clock Tuesday morning December 23, 1947
following a heart attack. She had been in failing health the past year and a
half. Due to failing health Mr. and Mrs. Grube made their home with their
som.
Elizabeth Grube, nee Smith was born on a farm south of Cole Camp November
16, 1866, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jack Smith. She was baptisted
in infancy and latter confirmed in the Lutheran Church by the Rev.
Klinksick. She was a member of St. Paul's Am. Lutheran Church.
In March of 1889 she united in marriage with Mr. Henry Grube, who
survives. Two sons were born to this union, one son, Henry, died at the age
of nine years.
She is survived by her husband and one son, Walter, with whom they made
their home; two sisters, Mrs. Rose Attwood of Dunewig, Mo., and Dora, Mrs.
James Burnett,Sr. of Sedalia; two brothers, Jack and Thomas Smith, both of
Houstonia,Mo.
Mrs. Grube spent her entire life on a farm south of Cole Camp. She
attained the age of 81 years, 1 month and 7 days.
Funeral arrangements had not been completed pending word from relatives.

Friedly, Lewis Conrad
Lewis Conrad Friedly, age 60, who died at Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia
October 25th was a native of Morgan County. He was born December 30, 1887, a
son of the late Max and Anna Friedly. His entire life was spent in the
Stover community.
His first marriage was to Miss Orpha Merriott, on January 19th, 1913. She
died January 2, 1924. To this union were born three children all of whom
survive. They are Russell of Maynard, Iowa; Mrs. W.E. Browning of Ionia,
Mo., and Miss Elva Friedly of Kansas Sity.
His second marriage was to Miss Myrtle Miller on September 18th, 1927, who
survives. To this union four sons were born, namely: L.C. who preceded his
father in death; Claude and L.D. of Columbia, Mo., and Ross Friedly of
Stover.
One sister, Mrs. Lora Davis of Windsor, and two brothers, Dave Friedly of
Iona, and Arthur Friedly of Stover, and nine grandchildren also survive.
The funeral services were held at the Stover Baptist Church October 29th.
Rev. Chas. Whaley officiating. Burial was in the Stover cemetery.
Pall bearers were Otto Kraxberger, Ernest Johnson, Ernest Hughes, Forrest
Rowland, Emil Brauer and Paul Wilson.

Geary, Ardella (Hughes) (Taylor)
Mrs. Ardella Geary, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Hughes of the
Zora vicinity, was born June 10, 1882, and passed away October 22, 1957, at
the Haas Nursing Home in Booneville, Mo.
Mrs. Geary grew to womanhood in the Big Buffalo community. She was
educated in the rural school there and was baptisted by Rev. T.F. Kidwell in
1909, placing her membership in the Shilo Christian Church. She was united
in marriage to W.E. Taylor April 3, 1903. To this union three children were
born, namely: Helen Harms, Clarence Taylor, and Elmer Taylor, all of whom
survive. She also leaves one brother, Oscar Hughes and one sister, Mrs. Ruth
Whittle, both of Versailles. Her father and mother , her husband and one
brother, Fred, preceded her in death some time prior to her passing. Later
she was united in marriage to W.F. Geary, and resided in Stover until death
claimed both of them. Mr. Geary preceded her in death in Feb. 1955.
Mrs. Geary was a highly respected citizen and was loved by everyone with
whom she came in contact. For some time before her death she had been an
invalid, but bore her suffering with a smile. She will be greatly missed by
those who loved her.
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Whaley, pastor of the Baptist
Church of Stover. Interment was in the Stover Cemetery under the direction
of Stevinson Funeral Home of Stover.

Bates, Margaret Sophia (Braden)
Margaret Sophia Bates, daughter of the late Andrew and Jane Braden, was
born in Morgan County, October 14, 1876, and passed away at the home of her
son, G.E. Bates, south of Stover, on August 24, 1953, attaining the age of
76 years, 10 months and 10 days.
Mrs. Bates was preceded in death by her husband, George R. Bates, who died
Nov. 8, 1948, at Florence. Also preceding her in death was one son and one
daughter, both of whom died in early childhood. One brother, one half-sister
and a half-brother preceded her in death.
Surviving are eight sons and daughters--Orville Bates, Brooklyn, New York;
Mrs. Blanch Taylor, Stover; G.E. Bates, Stover; Mrs. Minnie Miller, Kansas
City; Mrs. Viola Cable, Bellflower, California; Newton Bates, Kansas City;
Mrs. Gertrude Jones, Kansas City; Mrs. Jane Bockelman, Stover. Also
surviving are 16 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and one half-sister,
Mrs. W.O. Gerlt.
Mrs. Bates united with the Christian Church at an early age.
Funeral services were held at Stevinson Chapel on Wednesday, Aug. 26, Rev.
James DeLong officiating. Burial was in the Stover cemetery.

Smiley, John Lee
John Lee Smiley, oldest son of Samuel and Nannie Smiley, was born August
18, 1875, in Morgan County, Mo., and passed away October 8, 1955, having
attained the age of 80 years, 6 weeks and 2 days.
At the age of 14 he professed his faith in Christ and joined the Salem
Baptist Church. He is survived by three sisters and one brother, Mrs. Geo.
Berkstresser, Mrs. John Wahlers of Versailles, and Mrs. Jake Morris of
Kansas City, Mo., and Mr. Hugh Smiley of Versailles,Mo. He is also suvived
by two children from his first marriage, Miss Dorothy Smiley of Seattle,
Washington, and Mrs. Harry Payne Weldon and 6 grandchildren and 2 great
grandchildren.
In 1942 he remarried Miss Winnie Birchmore, who survives him. John became
ill in 1948 and had been an invalid for the past 5 years.
Funeral services were held from the Versailles Baptist Church Tuesday
afternoon at 2p.m. by Rev. Lloyd Johnson and burial was in the family
cemetery, Mt. Nebo, under the direction of Kidwell's.

Gerhart, Oscar Beal
Oscar Beal Gerhart, age 70, of Stover, passed away August 18th, 1963. He
was born in Morgan County May 17, 1893, the son of Thomas and Lillie
Gerhart.
The deceased was a veteran of World War I, and a member of American Legion
Post No. 343. He was also a member of the Pentecostal Church.
He is survived by his widow, Almyra, of Stover; one son, Nelson of Santee,
Calif.;three daughters, Mrs. Lillie Williams and Mrs. Ruby Lee Johnson,of
Kansas City, Kansas; and Mrs. Vera Nadine Laas of Stover; one brother and
many other relatives and friends.
He was united in marriage to Alymyra Sanders on August 31st, 1919.
Preceding O.B. in death was one daughter, Jessie Marie, and one brother,
Forrest.
Funeral services were held on August 21, 1963, at 2pm at Mt. Calvary
Baptist Church, with the Rev. Kenneth Carpenter officiating. Burial was in
St. Paul cemetery south of Stover.

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