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Obituaries

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Emily Elizabeth Cocks Merry
Emily Elizabeth Cocks, daughter of Thomas A and Elizabeth Cocks, was born in Canton, Ill., September 28, 1855, and departed this life at the home of her son November 25, 1937, at the age of 83 years, 1 month, and 27 days.

Emily Elizabeth Cocks Merry On February 18, 1875 she was united in marriage to Hollis A. Hoyt, who preceded her in death March 21, 1925. Four children were born to this union, two daughters, Mrs. Ada Hicks and Mrs. Ida Peter of Winfield, Kan., and two sons, Olis Hoyt of Buena Vista, Colo., and Arthur Hoyt of Caldwell, 18 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Grace Rady, Kister, Minn., and Rosa Green, Putman, Tex
.Click on photo for larger view. Photo taken 1914

On September 28, 1925 she was united in marriage to Otis D. Merry, who survives, and also 5 step-children, and a host of other relatives and friends. She came to Kansas in 1881 and lived near Wilmot, Kans., until 1934, when she moved to a farm west of Caldwell, where she lived at the time of her death.

Funeral services were conducted from the Wilmot Christian Church Sunday afternoon, Nov. 28, with Rev. Smith of Atlanta, Kans., officiating, and Schaeffer’s Mortuary in charge. The Floral quartet sang. Burial was in the Wilmot cemetery. Pallbearers were Elmer, Harley and Dale Hoyt, Aubrey Peter, grandsons, Frank Samms, grandson-in-law, and Clyde Riggs, great grandson

. We wish to thank our many friends for their kind words of sympathy and beautiful floral offerings at the death of our loved one.
O.D. Merry
Mr. and Mrs. George Hicks and family
Mr. and Mrs. Lon Peter and family
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hoyt and family
Mr. Olis Hoyt
Mr. R.D. Merry
Mrs. Lillian Harmon
Submitted & © 2003 by: Karen Rodenbaugh

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Eunice T. Peters
Eunice T. Peters, 75 of 1614 Pearl, died unexpectedly on Dec. 13, at William Newton Memorial Hospital. Born near Burden on June 16, 1908, she was the daughter of Willard Oscar and Beatrice Jamison Bennett.

She attended school in the Mt. Vernon community, and on Jan. 4, 1926, was married to Glen Edwin Rising at Burden. The couple farmed near Burden and then moved to Winfield in 1947. he preceded her in death in 1965.

In April 1970 she was married to Aubrey H. Peters, and he died in 1973. Mrs. Peters was a member of the Millington Street Baptist Church and had been employed at the Manufacturers Shoe Outlet.

Survivors include a son, Charles E. Rising of Rt. 5; two daughters, Mrs. Vernon (Glenice) Bannon of Eldorado, Mrs. Bill (Norma J.) Ireland of Weile; two brothers, Lawrence Bennett of Burden, Fred Bennett of Cedar Vale; three sisters, Hazel Kempton of Burden, Jessie Bouton of Cedar Vale, Audrey Hendrickson of El Paso, Texas; 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in Highland Cemetery with the Rev. K.B. Murray officiating. Mrs. Peters will lie in state at Miles Memorial Chapel until noon Friday.
A memorial has been established in her name with Millington Street Baptist Church. Contributions may be made at the funeral home or the church.
Submitted & © 2003 by: Karen Rodenbaugh

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Rachel Hollett Kennedy
Winfield Daily Courier
March 31, 1911

Born: Jul 11, 1835
Died: Mar 19, 1911

"Sunday, March 19, 1911, Grandma Kennedy departed this life. She had been bedfast eight weeks. altho we hate to see Grandma leave us we know it is far better for her to be taken home where there is no more sorrow or suffering. She leaves eight children, forty-one grandchildren and three great grand children. all of her children were at bedside except John and Cyrus when death came. Her only brother and oldest sister were at her funeral, but didn't get here in time to see her before she died."
Submitted & © 2003 by: Steve Kennedy

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Mrs. Ollie Roberts Kennedy
Winfield Daily Courier
March 22, 1948

Born: Aug 14, 1873
Died: Mar 20,1948

"Mrs. Ollie J. Kennedy
Funeral rites for Mrs. Ollie J. Kennedy of Atlanta were held Monday at 2 p.m. at the Atlanta Methodist Church. Rev. Vern Rossman officiated.

Music was furnished by Mrs. Arletha Henderson, Mrs. Dudley Dills, Curtis Holt and Roy Hoyt. Mrs. Curtis Holt was accompanist.

Interment was in the Atlanta Cemetery. Pallbearers were; David Kennedy, Roy Jones, Otis Kennedy, Paul Kennedy, Richard Kennedy and Carl Wakefield.

Mrs. Kennedy died at her home in Atlanta March 20. She was 74 years old and was born in Lynn county Aug. 14, 1873. She was married to Stephen Kennedy in Winfield in 1890.

Four children survive; Earl Kennedy and Mrs. Merle Wakefield of Atlanta, Roy Kennedy of Claremore, Okla., Verne Kennedy of Winfield and a nephew, Harold Ledgerwood of Niangra, Mo., whom she reared; also two brothers, J.D. Roberts and Ellis Roberts, of Guthrie, Okla., six grandchildren and one great grandchild."
Submitted & © 2003 by: Steve Kennedy

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David W. Kennedy
Born: Oct 22,1856
Died: Feb 4,1953

"David Kennedy Dies Wednesday

David W. Kennedy, 96, resident of this area since 1876, died Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in Shady Rest Home at Udall, where he had been seriously ill the past seven days.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Grace Methodist Church, of which he was a member, with the Rev. Glenn Matthew officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery with Morris Funeral Home in charge.

David W. Kennedy was born Oct. 22, 1856, near Gnadinhutton, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. A year later he moved with his parents to Duquoin, ILL., and later they moved to Kinmunday, Illinois. In 1876 the family came to Kansas and lived for about a year west of Douglass, then moved to the home six miles west and one mile north of Atlanta on the place where the Prairie View Church was built over 40 years ago and still remains. Many of the Kennedy descendants worship in this church every Sunday.

This place, which was home of the elder Kennedys from the time of their arrival in Cowley County until their death, is now owned by Earl Kennedy, the oldest son of the oldest son of the family, Steven.

On November. 22, 1882, Mr. Kennedy was married to Laura Wilson, and they celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary together before her death on March 5, 1937. During the first 30 years of their married life, they lived on a farm about a mile from the Prairie View Church. Their next location was on a farm about four miles southeast of Winfield in the South Walnut neighborhood. They lived on this farm for about 15 years then moved to Winfield.

Survivors are two children, Mrs. Jesse Ruggles and Virgil Kennedy of Winfield; two brothers, George of Augusta and John of Piedmont; one sister, Mrs. Effie Holt of Atlanta; 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandaughter."
Submitted & © 2003 by: Steve Kennedy

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Laura Wilson Kennedy
Born: Oct 8,1861
Died: Mar 5, 1937

"Mrs. David W. Kennedy
Funeral rites for Mrs. David W. Kennedy were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at Grace Methodist church with Rev. Alvin W. Murray in charge. Music was furnished by a quartet composed of Mrs. Gertrude Hunter, Mrs. West Drennan, C. O. Detter and Ralph Stocking. The songs selected were: "Face to Face," "I'm a Child of the King," and "No Night There.". Rev. R. B. Parks, pastor of the Free Methodist church, led in prayer. Burial was in the Highland cemetery. More than 100 friends from the Burden and Atlanta neighborhoods attended the services in Winfield, in addition to Winfield friends.

Pall bearers were; Curtis Holt, Hugh Kennedy, Earl Kennedy, Harry Wilson, Ralph Wilson, and Martin Wadsack, all of Atlanta.

The following obituary was read: " Laura M. Wilson was born in Indiana, October 8, 1861, and died at Winfield, March 5, 1937. She spent the early years of her life in Indiana and came to Kansas with her parents while still a child. She was united in marriage with David W. Kennedy on November 22, 1882. To this union three children were born, all of whom with Mr. Kennedy survive. The children are: Mrs. Jess Ruggles of Augusta; Mrs. Marion Morgan of Atlanta and Virgil of Winfield. She is also survived by ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren. In addition to these, there are six brothers and two sisters still living: Willie Wilson of Atlanta; A. C. Wilson of Canon City, Colo.; John R. Wilson of Medford, Ore.; N. C. Wilson of Atlanta; Charles Wilson of Primrode, Neb.; Ben F. Wilson of Topeka; Mrs. Ida Nelson of Oklahoma City; Mrs. Ben Lane of Dexter.

Mrs. Kennedy was converted after she was grown and chose to unite with the Methodist church. After coming to Winfield the family brought their membership to Grace M.E. church which has been their church home for more than 20 years.

For a number of years the state of Mrs. Kennedy's health had been such that she was confined to her home. She had been seriously ill for several weeks but did not suffer greatly and her release came easily and peacefully."
Submitted & © 2003 by: Steve Kennedy

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Lora Kennedy Wadsack
Born: Aug 8, 1858
Died: Dec 30, 1936

"Lora Alice Wadsack
Funeral services for Mrs. Lora Wadsack were held at the Prairie View church at two o'clock January 3, conducted by Rev. Laverne Penniger, pastor of the Prairie View church.

Aubrey Holt, Miss Vada Wayman, Wilma Holt, and Opal Lanier sang "My Mother's Prayer," "Mother O' Mine" and "In the Land Where We Never Grow Old."

Pallbearers were four grandsons, Lawrence Wadsack, Oran and Orlan Wadsack, Calvin Holt, and Roy Kennedy.

Lora Alice Kennedy, daughter of A. B. and Rachel Kennedy was born near DuQuin, Perry county, ILL., August 8, 1858, and departed this life December 30, 1936, at her home near Atlanta, age 78 years, 4 months and 22 days. In November, 1876, she with her parents, six brothers and one sister came to Kansas. They settled on the farm where the Prairie View church west of Atlanta, now stands.

Here her parents lived until their death. On Jun 5, 1879, she was united in marriage to William Wadsack. She and her husband started housekeeping on a farm homesteaded by Mr. Wadsack's parents and here she resided until her death.

To this union were born six children: one son Bertrand who died September 11, 1903. Her husband died March 10, 1892, at the age of 36 years leaving her to rear this family of small children. Mrs. Wadsack was a hard worker and in her gentle, quiet way faced the battles and met the question of life with a courage that is commendable. She has been a member of the Prairie View Methodist Episcopal church since 1894.

The surviving children are one daughter, Mrs. Alma Peterson, of Atlanta, Kas., and four sons, Leslie and Otis of Rock, Kas., and Emmett and Morton of Atlanta, Kas. Others left to mourn her departure are one sister, Mrs. J. W. Holt of Atlanta, five brothers, David Kennedy of Winfield, George Kennedy of Douglass, Cyrus Kennedy of Rock, John Kennedy of Piedmont and Amos Kennedy of Atlanta; 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren, many other relatives and a host of Friends."
Submitted & © 2003 by: Steve Kennedy

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Dr. Alexander Woodard
Born: March 25, 1832
Died: January 8, 1905

Dr. Alexander Woodard died Sunday morning at 4:30 of the general break down of age. He was seventy-two years, nine months and fourteen days old, being born March 25, 1832. His native place was Hancock Co., Illinois, where he lived until 1880. That year he came to Eastern Kansas, and about three years ago moved to Winfield, Kansas. He was a practicing physician for forty years, retiring about six years ago.

He leaves a wife and six children. Four sons, Edward, Frank, Albert and Ralph Woodard and one daughter Mrs. V. Parrott living in Winfield, and one daughter, Mrs. Anna Gilmore lives in Greenwood County. At the time of his death he was living with Mrs. Parrott. The funeral will be held from the home 8092 East 8th, at 3 o'clock Tues. afternoon.
Winfield Daily Courier, Winfield, KS.
Submitted & © 2003 by: Dave Woodard

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Dr. Ralph Ward James
Obituary of Dr. Ralph Ward James
Winfield Daily Courier, Friday, Feb 2, 1945

Born: November 18, 1880

DR. R. W. JAMES YIELDS TO ILLNESS AT HOSPITAL HERE
Dr. Ralph Ward James, 819 East Ninth, a prominent citizen and a physician and surgeon of Winfield for 38 years, died this morning at 3:50 o’clock at St. Mary’s hospital, following a stroke he suffered on Wednesday.

Dr. James had been in failing health for several months; last June he closed his office in the First National Bank Building, and retired from his medical practice. During the years of residence here, he took an active part in the civic life of Winfield and its organizations. He was born in Sigourney, Iowa, November 18, 1880, the son of George S. and France James. He received his education from the Sigourney high school, Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa; Northwestern University, where he received an M.D. degree, and served his internship at Cook County Hospital, Chicago.

PROMINENT HERE FOR YEARS In April, 1907, at Oskaloosa, Iowa, he was married to Margaret Stanton, who with two children, Mrs. Kenneth Briggs, of Winfield, and George Stanton James, chief petty office, USN, Oklahoma City, and a granddaughter, Sarah Lynn Briggs of Winfield, survive. In 1907, Dr. James came to Winfield and purchased the practice of the late Dr. G. M. Holcomb. During the years here he has served as physician for the Lutheran orphanage. He was a member of the American College of Surgeons; American Medical Society; Kansas Medical Society; Cowley County Medical association; honorary medical fraternity, Alpha Omega Alpha. Local organizations of which he was a member include, Winfield Chamber of Commerce; Lions Club, Country club; BPOE, and the American Legion. During World War I he served as captain in the medical Corps. Dr. James was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held from the First Methodist Church, Saturday afternoon at three o-clock.

(Note: Ralph Ward James was the son of George James and Sarah Francis Barringer, grandson of Addison Barringer and Ann Eliza Riley, and great grandson of Solomon Curtis Riley and Sarah Newhouse of NY.
If anyone has any more information about Ralph James and his family please contact me. Thanks! L. Greene)
Submitted & © 2003 by: Laura Greene

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Winfield Daily Courier, Wed, Dec 12, 1951

Margaret Stanton James
MRS. MARGARET JAMES DIES AT WICHITA HOSPITAL
Mrs. Margaret Stanton James, widow of the late Dr. Ralph Ward James, died mid-morning today at St. Joseph’s hospital in Wichita. Mrs. James had been in failing health the past year and the past month had been in critical condition with a heart ailment. She was first stricken last February at Rockport, Texas, when she, accompanied by Mrs. Fay Greene, were en route home from a trip to Florida. When she was able to be moved, she was taken to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Kenneth Briggs, in Wichita, and had been there since. Dr. and Mrs. James were married at Oskaloosa, Iowa, in April 1907, and the same year they came to Winfield. Dr. James died Feb 2, 1945. She was a member of the Sigournean club, was a past president of the American Legion auxiliary, and a member of the Past President’s Parley.

Surviving are two children, Stanton James, Oklahoma City, and Mrs. Kenneth Briggs, Wichita; and one grandchild, Miss Sallie Briggs, Wichita; three sisters, two living in Wichita, and one in Houston, Texas, and a brother in Iowa.

Funeral services will be held in Winfield Saturday with arrangements to be announced by the Morris Funeral home.
Submitted & © 2003 by: Laura Greene

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Hazel E. Kempton
Born: Jan. 17, 1906
Died: Oct. 26, 1998


SULPHUR, Okla. - Hazel E. Kempton, 92, homemaker, of Sulphur, former longtime resident of Wilmot and Burden, died Oct. 26, 1998, at Sulphur Memorial Hospital.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Grand Prairie Cemetery, northeast of Burden. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
A memorial has been established with the American Cancer Society. Contributions can be made through the funeral home.
Kempton was born Jan. 17, 1906, near Cambridge, to Willard and Beatrice (Jamison) Bennett. She was raised and educated in the Mount Vernon and Cambridge communities.
On Oct. 1, 1925, she married Daniel C. Kempton in Winfield. The Kemptons made their first home in Burden and lived and farmed in the Wilmot community for many years.
Following her husband's death in 1965, Kempton moved to Burden. She was employed by the food service department of Winfield State Hospital and Training Center from 1965 until her retirement in 1971. She had resided at Sulphur since 1989.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Burden.
Survivors include her daughters, Nita Agler and Elaine Hamm, both of Sulphur; a sister, Audrey Hendrickson, El Paso, Texas; five grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Submitted & © 2004 by: Jerry Hamm

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R. A. (Robert Alexander) Craig
Winfield New paper
May 20,1913

Born: July 12, 1840
Died: May 15, 1912


R. A. (Robert Alexander) Craig, born 12th day of July 1840, in Timber (Trimble) Co., Kentucky, died at Winfield, Kansas on the 15th of May, 1912.

He moved from Kentucky to Illinois where on the 25th day of Dec 1863, he was married to Elizabeth Barr, who survives him, and to them were born two sons, James Craig now living at Salt Lake City, Utah, and O. H. (Oliver) Craig residing in Stockton, California.

Besides these two sons they took into their family Miss Maude Blevins when she was two weeks old and their home was hers until the year 1900, when she was married to Mr. Oscar Gafney of this city, with whom she lived until her death on November 19th, 1908.

Mr. Craig enlisted in the Union army in Co. G. 114th Ill. Vol. Inft. On August 14th 1862 and served three years. He was wounded in the right hip by being shot from ambush while marching in line of duty at Old Town Creek, Mississippi. He did service in Mississippi and Tennessee, and was in the siege of Vicksburg. He was discharged in 1865 on account of disability, arising from the wound he had received. He was a faithful soldier and loyal to his country.

He came to Kansas in the fall of 1870, settled in Woodson county, and remained there for one winter, moving to Cowley county in 1871 where he has resided up until his decease. He has five brothers two of whom are dead. The remaining three, namely Eli and John Craig, living at Hutchinson, Kansas and Geo. Craig residing at Lipscomb, Texas. He became a member of the Christian church 45 years ago and has always been one of its most loyal supporters, giving liberally and freely of his time and money to advance the Kingdom of Christ. He served as deacon for a number of years in the Christian church and was an active member of the official board. He has helped in the construction of every Christian church building in Winfield, laboring with his hands and contributing his money. He leaves his wife and companion, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to mourn his loss. One son James was here for the funeral services

Added note: Robert Craig was the son of Alexander CRAIG & Lucy HARRISON of Cowley Co., KS
Submitted & © 2004 by: Barbara Craig

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Elizabeth BARR Craig
The Winfield Daily Courier
Monday, March 4,1918

Born: Aug 1837
Died: March 4, 1918


Craig: Mrs. Elizabeth Craig widow of Robert A. Craig died at the home of her son-in-law Oscar Gafney, 1517 Millington street with whom she had made her home since the death of her daughter, Mrs. Gafney, Monday morning, March 4, 1918 at a quarter past nine o’clock. She suffered a stroke of apoplexy last Tuesday causing a complication of diseases incident to her advance age.

Mrs. Craig was a beautiful type of woman and her friends who were legion will mourn her loss because of her kind and noble character. The name of this woman was a synonym for love and charity and the memory of her numerous Christian acts in the church and community will be a monument worth of emulation. Elizabeth S. (R.) Barr was born in Shelby county, Indiana 81 years ago.

On December 25 1863, she was united in marriage to Robert A. Craig and to this union were born two sons, James H. of Salt Lake City, Utah, who survive and Ollie who did in California three years ago. In 1876 Mr. and Mrs. Craig adopted a daughter, Maude Blevens at the age of two weeks old and gave her the love and influence of good and pious Christian parents. Later the daughter married Oscar Gafney of this city and preceded the mother in death several years. Mr. and Mrs. Craig came to Kansas at a time when pioneering was a part of the life of the Kansas resident, About thirty years ago they moved to Winfield. Mrs. Craig was one of a family of eleven children, five preceding her across the Great Divide. Mrs. Craig was a life long member of the Christian church and a member of the Ladies G. A. R. Circle No. 40.

The funeral will be held from the First Christian church Tuesday at 2:30 o’clock conducted by Rev. Richard W. Gentry. Interment will be made in the family lot in Union Cemetery beside the husband who preceded her in death on May 15, 1913.

Added note: Elizabeth BARR Craig was the daughter of James BARR & Mary GARNER of Floral, KS
Submitted & © 2004 by: Barbara Craig


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