Friday, February 17, 2012

William Jennings Bryan VanDorn, 1899-1974, and Lora D. Mitchell VanDorn, 1900-1930

The Seymour Herald - 5 Sepember 1974
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WILLIAM BRYAN VAN DORN
  William Bryan Van Dorn, son of Douglas and Jennie Stewart Van Dorn, was born Dec. 8, 1899, in Appanoose county, Iowa, and died Aug. 29, 1974, at University hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, at the age of 74 years, eight months and 21 days.
  He was united in marriage to Lora Mitchell in 1918. To this union were born five sons and three daughters, Marshall Neil Van Dorn and Mrs. Pauline Wells of Des Moines, Mrs. Virginia Hyle (deceased), Robert Van Dorn of Longview, Texas, William Van Dorn of Cedar Rapids, Lloyd Van Dorn of Monouth, and twin boy and girl who died at birth.
  On Feb. 13, 1947, he was united in marriage to Goldie Sharp of Seymour. He became the father of Marvin Sharp whom he loved as his own.
  He spent all of his life farming in and around Wayne county. In 1947 he moved to Seymour and was employed at Godfrey's Pool Hall for many years and enjoyed working with the public and especially the young people.
  On April 6, 1974, he joined the Methodist church in Seymour and attended church as long as he health permitted. He was a good neighbor and always willing to help others. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, wife Lora, daughter Virginia, the twin babies, two brothers, one sister and three grandchildren.
  He is survived by his loving wife, Goldie, his six children, two sisters, Rachel Bone of Seymour and Ethel McClintick of Long Beach, Calif., five daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, 27 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren who he loved and enjoyed dearly and a host of friends and relatives.
  He will be sadly missed by all.
CARD OF THANKS
  We would like to thank all of the friends, neighbors and relatives for the kindness and sympathy shown in our time of sorrow. We would like to thank everyone for the food, flowers and cards. A special thanks to the women of the church for the lovely lunch served the day of the funeral. We would also like to say a special thanks to Rev. Ricks and his wife for their trips to the hospital for the wonderful service. Also thank you to Rev. Hickman for his visit to the hospital. Thanks to Mr. Randolph for the kind services shown to us.
    Mrs. W. B. VanDorn
    Mr. and Mrs. Neil VanDorn and family
    Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wells and family
    Mr. and Mrs. Bill VanDorn and family
    Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd VanDorn and family
    Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Sharp and family
    Mrs. Rachel Bone
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William Bryan & Lora D. (Mitchell) VanDorn Gravestone 
in Block 5, Lot 8 of New Section of the Jerome Cemetery, 
Lincoln Township, Appanoose County, Iowa
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Children of William Bryan VanDorn & Lora D. Mitchell
Gravestone of Twin Boy and Girl Who Died At Birth

in Block 5, Lot 8 of New Section of the Jerome Cemetery, 
Lincoln Township, Appanoose County, Iowa
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The Seymour Herald - 16 January 1930
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LORA MITCHELL VANDORN
  Mrs. W. J. B. VanDorn passed away Sunday, January 5 at the St. Joseph Hospital in Centerville following an illness of several days. She underwent an operation several days ago.
  Mrs. VanDorn resided on a farm south of this city with her husband and family, and her death is a severe loss to her family. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Mitchell of this city adn had resided in this community practically all of her life, being at the time of her death 29 years, 8 months and 18 days of age.
  She is survived by her husband, six children, her parents and several brothers and sisters. The family has the sympathy of the entire community in their loss.
  Lora Mitchell VanDorn, daughter of L. P. and Retta Mitchell was born at Cincinnati, Appanoose County, Iowa, May 17, 1900, and passed away in St. Josephs Hospital, Centerville, January 5, 1930, at the age of 29 years, 7 months and 19 days. The major part of her life was spent in Seymour.
  February 10, 1919 she became the bride of Bryan VanDorn of Jerome. To them 6 children were born, Neal, Pauline, Virginia, Robert, William and Lloyd.
  When Mrs. VanDorn was 16 years of age, she united with the Baptist Church, and took an active part in the Sunday School and Church work until the care of a young family prevented her from doing so.
  Besides her husband and 6 children, who will miss her sorely she is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Mitchell, five brothers adn two sisters, also many friends whom she made during her short life.
  Funeral service was held at the home of her parents, at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, January 8. The remains were laid to rest in Jerome cemetery. Service at the home and grave were conducted by Elder G. A. Jeffrey.
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CARD OF THANKS
  We wish to thank all those who in any way helped us at this time of the sad loss of our wife, daughter and sister. We thank all those who furnished cars.
      A precious one from us is gone
      A voice we loved is stilled
      A place is vacant in our home
      Which never can be filled.
      Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Mitchell and family.
      Mr. Bryan VanDorn and family.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Jason Lawrence McElvain ----------------------------- World War I Draft Registration Card

Jason Lawrence McElvain
World War I Draft Registration Card
From Ancestry.com
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LETTER FROM LAWRENCE McELVAIN

The Seymour Herald – 14 November 1918
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LETTER FROM LAWRENCE McELVAIN
Camp Pike, Ark., Nov. 5, 1918
Dear Mother and folks:
  How are all of you folks? I am, feeling fine, getting fatter all the time. I think I will soon pull down about 200 pounds.
  I worked from 8:30 until 12' to­day. I did not sit down to eat, breakfast, then walked to Belmouth this afternoon, that is about a three mile walk. I'll bet you folks up there are all busy. I believe I will be back to help you some before long. The news in the paper sure looks good. I believe I will be home by spring. I hardly believe I will leave this camp now altho I don't know. I might be moved this time tomorrow you never can tell. But I do not care for I am ready to go where Uncle Sam wants me to.
  I hardly believe I will eat my I Christmas dinner at home this year, but I may get to cook a big dinner for some of the boys. I believe I could cook turkey now and cranberries. I have made it a rule never to cook anything for the boys that I would net eat myself. Kemph and I are both particular, and we get along fine, we never use a pan or anything without examining it first. A cook has a lot of responsibility, we have to be so careful, we cannot waste anything that is worth anything, if we did we would be tried by court martial. Cooking is one of the most responsible jobs in the army I believe. One of the K, P's, said the other day that we ought to get $75 per month. But I am not working for money but for Uncle Sam.
  This is the best I can do this evening so I will quit for this time, hoping to hear from you soon.
  Your loving son and brother, Lawrence McElvain

Monday, February 6, 2012

Helen Shorts McElvain, 1922-2012

Daily Iowegian – 30 January 2012
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  CENTERVILLE — Helen McElvain, 89, of Centerville, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 at Golden Age Care Center in Centerville.
  She was born Nov. 1, 1922 in Centerville, the daughter of Ralph and Violet (Woods) Shorts.  Helen attended Centerville Schools and graduated from Centerville High School. She later earned her associate’s degree from Centerville Community College.
  Helen held numerous positions of employment throughout her working career. She worked as a secretary for both the CB&Q Railroad and Centerville Chamber of Commerce. Helen also worked at the Centerville National Bank. She dedicated many years working elections for the Appanoose County Republican Party.  
  She married Paul Vernon McElvain on Feb. 24, 1946 at the First Methodist Church in Centerville. After moving to the farm with her husband Paul, Helen was active in the YW Study Club, Farm Bureau, the Gideons, and was an active member of the Seymour Methodist Church.
Helen Shorts McElvain
  Helen enjoyed several hobbies, including traveling, singing, gardening, flowers, crafts, reading and church activities.
  She is survived by her husband Paul McElvain of Centerville; four children, Bonnie (Hugo) Keyner of Vail, Ariz., Terry (Janice) McElvain of Centerville, John (Marcella) McElvain of Council Bluffs and James (Melinda) McElvain of Corydon; son-in-law Arnt Hampton of McMinnville, Tenn.; 10 grandchildren, Jason (Wendy) McElvain of Centerville, Jeremy McElvain of Centerville, Jeff McElvain of Papallion, Neb., Chris (Kaley) McElvain of Homestead, Darcie (Dan) Feller of Council Bluffs, Jessica (Shawn) Panich of Evansville, Wis., Skyler and Austin McElvain of Corydon, Aaron (Gretchen) Hampton of Columbia, Tenn. and Kendall (Amanda) Hampton of Nashville, Tenn.; eight great-grandchildren, RJ and Alyssa McElvain of Centerville, Adalynn McElvain of Homestead, Cole Feller of Council Bluffs, Jessie, Luke and Marianne Hampton of Columbia, Tenn. and Emma Hampton of Nashville, Tenn.;  and a sister Lola Shorts of Centerville.
  She was preceded in death by her parents; and a daughter Sandra Hampton.
  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today at Lange Funeral Home in Centerville with Pastor Kay Singley officiating. A visitation was held Sunday at Lange Funeral Home from 12-8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. Sunday evening. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Jerome Cemetery.
  Memorials have been established to the Seymour Methodist Church and may be given to Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa, 52544.
  Condolences may be shared at www.langefh.com.