Jason Lawrence McElvain, 1895-1942

  Jason Lawrence McElvain, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. McElvain, was born in Appanoose County, Iowa, March 19, 1895. He graduated from the Seymour High school in 1914.

  He was converted at an early age and joined the Jerome Methodist church, and was an active and faithful member to the end of his life.

  He lived his entire life in this vicinity with the exception of the time he served his country during the first World War.  He was a member of the Charles L. Nye Post 180 American Legion of Seymour.

  He was married to Cecile Kerr of Seymour, June 6, 1918. To this union was born four children.

  He departed this life at his home near Jerome, Iowa, July 6, 1942, at the age of 47 years, three months and 17 days.

  He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. McElvain of Seymour, one brother, George, two sisters, Mrs. Ada McCabe and Mrs. Ruth Hibbs, all of Numa; his wife, four children, Harold of Des Moines, Paul, Richard and Marjorie, all at home; one daughter-in-law, wife of Harold; other relatives, and a host of friends.

  Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, July 8, in the Jerome Methodist church by the pastor, H. B. Fay.  Music furnished by Mrs. Zelda Workman, Mrs. Hazel Felkner, Mrs. Harriette Heffner and Mrs. Lila Bolman.

  Pallbearers:  Lazelle Inman, William Hefner, Wayne Rash, Kenneth Owens, Wm. Hawkins and Peter Sidles.

  Flower girls:  Virginia Sidles, Phyllis Hawkins, Geraldine and Deloris Rash, Mary Lou Morse, Jeanette Condra and Frances Owens.

  Burial in the Seymour cemetery by Lawrence Ruby.

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Card of Thanks

  We wish in this way to express our heartfelt thanks for the many acts of kindness shown us by our many friends and neighbors during our bereavement; also for the beautiful flowers.

  Mrs. J. L. McElvain and Family; Mr. and Mrs. J. B. McElvain and Family.

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  Veteran's Record of American Legion:  Jason Lawrence McElvain, Serial No. 3802060, of Seymour, Iowa; Parents: J. B. McElvain and Marindia of Numa, Iowa; Rank: Pvt. School for Bakers and Cooks; Entered service at Centerville, Ia., July 22d 1918; Discharged at Camp Pike, Ark., Dec. 24th 1918; Legion Member of Post Chas. L. Nye Legion Post #180; Date of Marriage: June 6, 1918 to Cecil Kerr; Children: Four; Victory Medal: Yes; State Bonus: Yes; Pension: No; Brithplace: Numa, Ia., March 19, 1895; Discharge Recorded: Centerville, Ia., page 163, March 27, 1919; Post Officer in Legion: None; Charter Member To Legion Post #180; Died at Jerome July 6, 1942; Buried at Seymour, Iowa, July 8th, 1942.

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  Graves Registration Service, Des Moines, Form:  Wayne County, War One; Lawrence J. McElvain, Serial No. 3802060; Born: March 19, 1895 in Appanoose County, Jerome, Iowa. Died: July 6th, 1942 at Jerome, Iowa; Age: 47/3/17; Relatives: J. B. McElvain & Marindia McElvain; Wife: Cecile Kerr, June 6th 1918; Children: Four, Donald, Paul, Richard and Marjorie McElvain; Enlisted at Centerville, Ia.; Age 23 years; Entered service: July 22nd 1918 at Centerville, Iowa; Discharged: Dec. 24th, 1918 at Camp Pike, Ark.; Rank: Pvt; Served in School of Bakers and Cooks; Member: Chas. L. Nye Legion Post #180, Seymour, Iowa; Buried: Walnut Township, Southlawn Cemetery, Government Grave Marker, East Section.

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  Obituary from an unidentified newspaper clipping, Veteran's Record and Graves Registration Form were all in the files of the Charles L. Nye American Legion Post #180 in Seymour, Wayne County, Iowa, microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah in 1990 and contained on FHL US/CAN Film 1672979.

Cpl. Byron Inman Returns to States

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  Mr. and Mrs. Edward Inman received word September 7, that their son Cpl. Byron Inman has been sent back to the states after 29 months in New Guinea.  Cpl. Inman has been wounded twice. The first time he recovered and was sent back into battle.  His wounds now are about the eyes.

  Byron was wounded at Aitape in the southwest Pacific.  He was one of the boys who turned the Japs back in New Guinea.

  Unlike most soldiers Bryon had never had a furlough home since his induction.  When he received this severe injury he did not tell his parents what had happened.  He wrote cheery letters instead but some of the words were hard to read and the lines were crooked, so Byron's parents wrote to the department asking about their son.  The following answer was received:

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Army Service Forces

Valley Forge General Hospital

Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

September 6, 1944

Mrs. Edward Inman

Route No. 3,

Centerville, Iowa

Dear Mrs. Inman:
  This is to notify you that your son Byron is now a patient at this hospital and has been assigned to my care.  He stood the trip here very well and his general condition is better than it has been since he was hurt.  His courage is excellent and he is chiefly concerned over the anxiety you must feel for him.

  However I regret to say that his wound, which was in his head, severely damaged his eyes necessitating the removal of his left eye and injuring the right eye so that he cannot distinguish light.  He has no other injuries and is not disfigured.  He has asked that you be informed of this fact.  After he has been at this station longer information in more detail will be furnished you.  For the present I want to assure you that everything possible has been and will be done for his comfort and care.

  I have no doubt you are concerned to know how soon it will be possible to see him.  If it were practical, you might pay him visits at this hospital.  On the other hand, I understand that Corporal Inman hopes you will not undertake the difficult and expensive journey here.  He will be granted a furlough as soon as he is able to travel.  You may communicate with him through this hospital.  Please mark your communications "Ward IC&D."

Sincerely yours,

J. N. Greear, Jr., Lt. Col., M. C.,
Chief of E.E.N.T. Section 

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From an unidentifed newspaper clipping in the files of the American Legion Post #180 in Seymour, Wayne County, Iowa, microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah in 1990 and contained on FHL US/CAN Film 1672979.

Purdy Boys Leave....Mine Closes Again.... For Air Force Duty

  For the second time in 10 years the Purdy coal mine east of Seymour is closing down while "the Purdy boys" go off to military service.  This time, however, all the mine machinery is being sold and the mine will close for good.

  The mine, sunk in 1932, was once the heaviest producer of coal in the Wayne-Appanoose county area, and even recently employed a full crew of 24 men.  The mine had been in continuous operation since 1932, except for two years during World War II when the sons of Henry Purdy were in the army before.

  Robert Purdy left Friday for duty as a radar repairman in the Air Force, and his brother, David, who was recalled at the same time, has been classified as a flight engineer trainee.

  The other Purdy brothers will seek employment in midwestern industrial centers as soon as the final closing of the mine is completed.

  William Morrow, who left with the Purdys, was the only one of the trio who was in the air corps in World War II.  He also has been classified as a flight engineer trainee with the 90th Bombardment Wing, which consists of B-29 and B-50 bombers--now called "mediums."

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  From an unidentified 1951 newspaper clipping in the files of the American Legion Post #180 in Seymour, Wayne County, Iowa, microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah in 1990 and contained on FHL US/CAN Film 1672979.