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From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [Palo Alto] !! Ruthven Free Press; Palo Alto Co, IA; 8 Feb 1939
Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 10:53:56 -0600


The Ruthven Free Press
Ruthven, Palo Alto, Iowa
Wednesday, February 8, 1939

D.W. PRATHER FUNERAL SUNDAY
Passed Away Thursday Evening of Last Week; Came Here 37 Years Ago.
Daniel William Prather was born near Des Moines, Iowa, February 14,
1866, and passed away at his home in Ruthven, Iowa, February 2, 1939, at the
age of 72 years, 11 months, and 18 days. His parents were Martin and
Elizabeth Prather and when a young man he moved with his folks to Audubon
county, where he grew to manhood.
On February 25, 1890, he was united in marriage to Mary Evaline Calloway
and eight children, three boys and five girls, were born to this union.
The family lived in Audubon and Polk county where the deceased was
engaged in the lumber business, until 1902 when they moved to a farm on the
north side of Silver lake, south of Ruthven. They lived for a short time on
a farm near Gillett Grove, and then returned to the vicinity south of
Ruthven. In 1934 they retired from farming and moved to Ruthven where the
deceased made his home until his death. Mr. Prather served as town marshal
in Ruthven for about three years. Following a paralytic stroke last
September he was forced to give up this position, and while he rallied from
this attack and was able to be about our town again, he had lost so much of
his strength and vitality he was unable to survive a recent illness with
pneumonia and passed away last Thursday evening at 8:30.
He is survived by his devoted wife, three sons, Claude and Howard of
Ruthven and Harold of Graettinger, and four daughters, Mrs. D.D. Waterman of
Ruthven, Mrs. Arthur Roberts of Royal, Mrs. Roy Broadie of Estherville and
Mrs. Walter Pitcher of Emmetsburg. One daughter, Bertha, passed away in
1928. Mr. Prather is also survived by one brother, Ed Prather of Ruthven,
one sister, Mrs. Annie Howard, of Des Moines, 21 grandchildren, and one
great grandchild.
Mr. Prather was a member of the Methodist church and well liked by all
who knew him. His last words, "I have knowingly wronged no one, and I have
always tried to live a temperate life," spoken as death came to him,
characterized his entire life. He was devoted to his family, interested in
their welfare, and always striving for the better things of life.
Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Ruthven last
Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock with Rev. Belden Weikel, pastor of the church,
officiating, Rev. Weikel chose the 20th and 21st verses of Jude for the text
of his sermon.
Mrs. A.L. Bragg, Mrs. Lewis Capener, Harry Nelson and J.H. Thatcher
sang, "In the Sweet Bye and Bye," "Sweetly Resting" and "Going Down the
Valley One by One" with Mrs. Merle McGranahan at the piano.
Five grandsons and one nephew were the pallbearers.
Burial took place in Crown Hill cemetery.
The Lightle Funeral Home of Ruthven had charge of funeral arrangements

H.M. BROWN DIES SATURDAY NIGHT
Passed Away Saturday Evening After Long Illness; Funeral Services Tuesday.
Henri Martin Brown was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, November 25, 1854,
and died at the home of Mrs. Caroline Jensen on Saturday afternoon, February
4, 1939, at 5:30 at the age of 84 years, 2 months and 10 days. Mr. Brown was
the eldest child of Julius O. and Betty Henrette Brown. He had one sister,
Jennie, who died in Denmark in 1937.
In 1874 he came to America and lived for a while in Chicago, Ill. Then
he came to Ruthven, Iowa, with a C.M. & St. P. railroad crew to be employed
at the construction of railroads through this county. When this work was
completed, being a mason by trade, he settled on a farm northwest of Ruthven
and helped build many of the homes of this community.
In 1883, Mr. Brown was joined in marriage to Sidsel Jensen and they
built a home on their farm in Lost Island township where they lived until
the death of Mrs. Brown in 1914. They had no children. After the death of
his wife he remained on the farm for several years and then spent a few
years at the home of Mrs. Jensine Jensen in Lost Island township.
In 1920 he bought a home in Ruthven and lived here until his health
began to fail him due to his advanced years. For the past eight years he has
made his home with Mrs. Caroline Jensen.
Two years ago, Mr .Brown fell on an icy sidewalk and broke his leg and
he was confined to the home where he stayed ever since.
He is survived by his wife's nieces, Mrs. Nels O. Rasmussen and
daughter, Mrs. Ralph McCullah, Mrs. Bertha Peterson-Holland, Miss Jennie
Jensen, Mrs. Fred Christiansen, Miss Margaret Jensen, Mrs. Eathan Mengers
and Miss Emma Jensen and his wife's nephew, Edmond Jensen. As far as is
known there are no living relatives on his side of the family.
Mr .Brown was baptized in the Lutheran Trinity church when a child and
joined the Walnut Danish church during his early years in this county. He
remained a member and loyal supporter of the church the rest of his life.
Mr. Brown will be remembered as a builder and a friend of those in
distress.The comfortable homestead and beautiful gardens which he built on
his Lost Island township farm for his invalid wife, reflected his patience,
activity, industry and his love for beautiful surroundings and also his
devotion for his loving wife. He was upright, honest and dependable. He had
a deep and wide sympathy for all classes of mankind, and especially the
unfortunate. For years he gave many sacks of sugar and flour as Christmas
gifts to the needy families of the community.
Funeral services were held at the Lightle Funeral home in Ruthven on
Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock and at the Danish Lutheran church in Walnut
township at 2 o'clock with Rev. Christianson of the Danish Lutheran church
and Rev. Wicks of the Lutheran church at Ruthven, officiating. Burial took
place in the South Walnut cemetery.
The Lightle Funeral Home of Ruthven had charge of funeral arrangements.

A Former Resident Dies at Spencer This Morning.
Mrs. Grace Adams of Spencer, daughter of Mrs. E.G. Cope of Ruthven,
passed away at her home at Spencer this Wednesday morning. She was manager
of the Iowa Coal Co. office at Spencer.

BRIEF NEWS ITEMS OF THE LAST WEEK.
Condensed State and National News of Outstanding Events of Local Interest.

- Joe Ferrin , a farmer living near Washta, was killed west of Cherokee last
Friday when his automobile skidded and overturned on the highway.
- The first "blood test" case in Emmet county was made last Friday in an
intoxication charge against Wilbert Hartsworn of Wallingford who was
arrested while driving an automobile while under the influence of liquor.
The test showed that there was sufficient alcohol in his system for
intoxication.
- Michael Dailey, pioneer farmer and former director of an Ayrshire bank,
died at his home at Ayrshire last Thursday at the age of 68 years.

Get Hard Labor Sentence for Attacking Policeman.
Guy Eaton and Tom Jackman of Emmetsburg were each sentenced to 30 days
in jail at hard labor for attacking an officer early last Sunday morning.
About 1:30 that morning, Policeman Edward Kiehl arrested both parties and
John Schupfer on charges of intoxication and as the officer was placing them
in jail, they attacked him. Sheriff Montgomery was called and the two
officials quickly subdued the three.
- Charles Sartorius, manager of the theatre at Hartley, dropped dead in his
automobile while driving to Ocheydan last Thursday.

MRS. L.O. WIGDAHL DIED WEDNESDAY.
Pioneer Pastor's Wife Passes Away February 1st; Funeral Held Saturday.
Funeral services for Mrs. L.O. Wigdahl were held at the Zion Lutheran
church in Ruthven last Saturday morning at 10:30 o'clock with the pastor,
Rev. T.G. Wicks, officiating. Rev. Wicks was assisted by Rev. S.O. Sande of
Fenton and Rev. M.C. Thompson of Emmetsburg.
Rev. Wicks delivered the funeral sermon, using as his text verses one
and four of the 23rd Psalm.
Rev. Sande spoke of the work of the pioneer pastors of northwestern Iowa
and the work of the wives of these early pastors. He referred to Mrs.
Wigdahl as a woman who was intensely interested in church work and also the
welfare of the individual.
Rev. Thompson spoke on behalf of the pastors and the pastors' wives of
the Estherville circuit.
Rev. O.L.N. Wigdahl, son of the deceased, spoke on behalf of the
bereaved family.
A double quartette sang "One Sweetly Solemn Thought" and "Jesus Savior,
Pilot Me." Mrs. O.W. Myers sang "Beautiful Words of Life" and Mrs. Fred
Grange sang "Behold a Host."
The pallbearers were five sons, Rev. O.L.N. Wigdahl, L.J. Wigdahl, S.A.
Wigdahl, L.A. Wigdahl and Harold Wigdahl, and Dr. L.M. Hadley. C.G. Wigdahl,
the sixth son, was unable to act as pallbearer on account of illness.
Mrs. Anna Wigdahl, daughter of Lars and Anna Osterhus, was born near
Ossian, April 17, 1863, and passed away on Wednesday evening, February 1,
1939, at the age of 75 years, 9 months and 16 days. She was the fourth child
of a family of six boys and six girls.
October 7, 1883, she was united in marriage to Rev. L.O. Wigdhal, who at
that time was a teacher in a parochial school near Ossian. Later they moved
to Clear Lake where her husband was pastor of a congregation for a short
time. In 1885, Rev. Wigdahl organized the Zion Lutheran church at Ruthven
and became the pastor of this congregation and they located in Ruthven. Rev.
Wigdahl continued as pastor of this church until July, 1936, when advancing
years compelled him to give up his work as pastor. He passed away on June
18, 1938.
Due to her early religious training and her kindly disposition, Mrs.
Wigdahl was well fitted to fill the role of a pastor's wife. She helped her
husband with his extensive church work in the various Lutheran congregations
of northwest Iowa, and especially with his work in the Zion Lutheran church
of Ruthven where he was pastor for more than fifty years. While her many
duties as a pastor's wife took up much of her time, she never neglected her
duties as mother in her home. With the teachings of the Bible as here guide,
she brought up her children to live lives of usefulness and uprightness and
was ever ready to sacrifice for their comfort or their welfare. She took
much interest in the mission field and was always concerned about the poor
and the unfortunate, and during her years of active church work, the doors
of her home were always open to those in need of spiritual help. Failing
health in recent years compelled her to give up much of her interests
outside her home.
The deceased was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a faithful Christian
and a willing worker in the church. Her interest in the Bible, her
appreciation of good literature, and her liking for wholesome entertainment,
and her efforts in helping others to a higher plane of living will make her
influence a lasting contribution to the welfare of this community.
Mrs. Wigdahl is survived by six sons, Rev. O.L.N. Wigdahl of Mason City,
C.G. Wigdahl of Emmetsburg, L.J. Wigdahl, S.A. Wigdahl, L.A. Wigdahl and
Harold Wigdahl of Ruthven, and three daughters, Miss Alma Wigdahl of
Flandreau, South Dakota, and Mrs. Belvina Hadley and Miss Lisa Wigdahl of
Ruthven. One son, Dr. A.B. Wigdhal, died in 1924 and two sons died in
infancy. She is also survived by two brothers, J.E. Osterhus of Ruthven and
Jacob Osterhus of West Union, and thirteen grandchildren.
The Lightle Funeral Home of Ruthven had charge of funeral arrangements.


EARLY MERCHANT AT RUTHVEN DIES
P.V. Nolan, Who Had Store at Ruthven in Early Days Died at Emmetsburg.
P.V. Nolan , a Ruthven business man of more than half a century ago,
died at Emmetsburg last Saturday and his funeral services were held there on
Tuesday of this week. The deceased and his cousin, P.J. Nolan, bought the
Charles Hastings general store on the corner where Berg & Brennan store was
located. He had been there but a short time until he was elected sheriff of
Palo Alto county, a position he held for 4 years and then returned to
Ruthven. Later he was elected county auditor and served two terms. P.V.
Nolan sold his interest in the local store to his cousin and partner, P.J.
Nolan, who sold out to J.E. Mulroney & Co. i n1892. The deceased later owned
a hardware store at Emmetsburg. He was a cousin of the late James F. Nolan,
a pioneer hardware dealer in Ruthven.

Farmer Near Emmetsburg Injured Fatally in Wreck.
Martin Enger, bachelor farmer living near Emmetsburg, died Monday
evening from injuries received at about 7:30 that evening when his
automobile overturned on the highway four miles south of Emmetsburg. ice on
the road is blamed for the accident. Enger was 66 uears of age.

INTERESTING NEWS OF NEARBY TOWNS.
Items of General Interest Taken from Our Exchanges of the Past Week.

- William Shepherd, town clerk at Postville, Iowa, died Monday at the age of
86 years. He held the record in Iowa length of service in a town clerk
office.
- Robert E. Alder of Waterloo was instantly killed by the explosion of an
acetylene welding tank last Saturday.

RUTHVEN AND VICINITY.

- A.L. Steidl, brother of V.M. Steidl of this city, died recently at Lang,
Sask., Canada, at the age of 71 years. He was a banker at that place.
- Miss Leona Wendt came from Redwood Falls, Minn. for a visit at the home of
her sister, Mrs. O.A. Olson and family.
- Those from out-of-town who attended the funeral of D.W. Prather last
Sunday are: Mr .and Mrs. Wm. Roberts, Mr .and Mrs. R.K. Blazer, Mr. and Mrs.
O. Reid, and Mr.and Mrs. T. Lilland of Estherville; Mr.and Mrs. Dale
Pitcher, Miss Anna Pitcher, Mrs. Art Anderson, Mrs. Christine Roberts and Mr
.and Mrs. Earl Roberts of Spencer; Mr and Mrs. Marvin Schenatzki and Mrs.
Maude Beck of Storm Lake; Mr and Mrs. W.E. Miller, Mr and Mrs. Joe First,
Mrs. Erma Moorhead and Mr. and Mrs. Chas Howard of Runnells; Mrs. Emma
Williams and son, Fred, Mrs. Bertha Rice, Mrs. Ida Curry and Mrs. V.T.
McCall of Des Moines.

OBITUARY.
Georgia Juanita Roberts, daughter of Mr .and Mrs. Watson Roberts, was
born in Des Moines, Iowa, July 6, 1901 and died at the Emmetsburg hospital
on February 1st, 1939, at the age of 37 years, 6 months, and 25 days.
She had been in poor health for several months and had been taken to the
Emmetsburg hospital for treatment the day before she died. She passed away
following a severe heart attack while eating breakfast at about 8 o'clock.
She spent her childhood in the vicinity of Des Moines and in 1920 moved
with her family to a farm near Webb. She had a natural talent for nursing
and was employed in caring for the sick in homes around Webb and Ruthven.
On June 10, 1931, she was united in marriage to F.J. Fieseler at Guthrie
Center and they moved to Spencer where they lived for about a year and then
moved to Ruthven where they have since made their home.
Funeral services were held at the Lightle funeral home last Saturday
afternoon at 2 o'clock with Rev. Beldon Weikel, pastor of the local
Methodist church, officiating. Rev. Weikel chose Job 14:14 as the text of
his sermon.
Mrs. A.L. Bragg and Mrs. H.K. Drennen sang "Lead Kindly Light,"
"Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," and "No Night There," with Mrs. Merle
McGranahan at the piano.
Burial took place in Crown Hill cemetery.
Surviving are her husband, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Watson Roberts,
three sisters, Betty of Des Moines, Mrs. Ben Fieseler of Spencer, and Mrs.
Paul Larson of Ayrshire, and five brothers, Dallas, of Chicago, Ill.,
Francis of Cedar Lake, Indiana, Elvin of Emmetsburg, Dale of Ayrshire and
Warren of Ruthven.
The deceased was kind, patient and neighborly and the bereaved husband
and relatives have the sympathy of the community in their loss of one who
has meant so much in their lives.



Cathy Joynt Labath
Palo Alto Co, IA USGenWeb Project
http://www.celticcousins.net/paloalto/index.htm
Iowa Old Press
http://www.IowaOldPress.com/




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