Levi Lafayette Butler, 1870-1956

The Seymour Herald – 6 September 1956

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  L[evi] L[afayette] Butler, son of Mr. and Mrs. P. T. Butler was born Oct. 29, 1870, in Appanoose county, near Seymour, where he made his home with his parents.  On Sept. 16, 1896, he was united in marriage to Cynthia Olive Fenley and to this union were born two sons.

  He purchased a farm east of Seymour where he was engaged in farming and stock raising until the year 1918, when he moved to Seymour where he made his home until the time of his passing.

  He was converted and united with the Baptist church of Seymour during the pastorate of Lenny Clemons.

  Mr. Butler was honest in his dealings with his fellow men; he had a cheerful disposition, he was loved and respected by all who knew him.  He was a good father, and a kind husband and was always willing to lend a hand to those who were in need.

  His companion passed away June 21, 1917.  He lived along until June 1, 1943, when he was united in marriage to Jennie Brown.  They made their home on East Wall street.

  He enjoyed good health and kept busily engaged until his recent illness. He suffered a stroke Aug. 15 and was taken to the Wayne county hospital.  He passed away Aug. 23 at the age of 85 years, nine months and 25 days.  All was done that medical science could do, but to no avail.

  He leaves to mourn his passing his companion; two sons, Glen Butler of Pontiac, Mich., and John Butler of Port Byron, Ill.; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Asa of Seymour and Jesse of Des Moines, and two sisters, Emma Hiatt of Centerville and Verna Johnson of Silvis, Ill.  He also leaves several nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.

  Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. W. M. Cleeton Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Liggett Funeral home.  Burial was in Southlawn cemetery.

  Pallbearers were nephews, Gerald Butler, Hiatt Butler, Roy Darrah, Ralph Butler, Merrill Hiatt and Claude Butler.

  Mrs. Vernon Cain played the piano for selected hymns.

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CARD OF THANKS

  We wish to show our appreciation and thanks to all who were so kind during the illness and after the death of our husband and father.

  Your kindness never will be forgotten.

Mrs. Lafe Butler

Mr. and Mrs. Glen Butler and family

Mr. and Mrs. John Butler and family

Belinda Julia Butler Darrah Willis, 1869-1956

The Seymour Herald – 2 August 1956

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  Mrs. Belinda [Julia Butler] Darrah Willis, a life-long Seymour resident, died at the Wilson Nursing home in Corydon [Wayne county, Iowa] Tuesday morning [31 July 1956].  She had been in failing health for several years and had been a patient at the Wayne county hospital and Dustin nursing home here.

  Rites for Mrs. Willis, 87, were to be Thursday, today, at 2 o’clock at the Seymour Methodist church with the Rev. J. C. Turner officiating.  Mrs. Willis had been a life member of the church.  Burial will be at Southlawn cemetery.

  Born [3 January 1869] east of Seymour [daughter of Paschal T. Butler and Lucintha Jane Morlan], she had lived in this community and was a member of the Rebekah lodge ad American Legion Auxiliary and past president of both.

  Her survivors are two sons, Roy Darrah of Seymour and Fred Darrah of Emmetsburg; three brothers, Jess Butler of Des Moines, and Ace and Lafe Butler of Seymour; and two sisters, Emma Hiatt of Centerville and Verna Johnson of Silvis, Ill.

  There are seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Iowa Charivari Party Victims of a Grade Crossing

Iowa State Bystander - 20 October 1899

From GenealogyBank.com on 8 January 2012

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ONE KILLED, NINE INJURED

Members of an Iowa Charivari Party

Victims of a Grade Crossing

  Seymour, Iowa, Oct. 20: --One person was killed and nine others were injured, several probably fatally, in a grade crossing accident here Wednesday. A wagon in which ten young men bound across the country to charivari a newly married couple was struck by an east-bound meat train on the Rock Island road and knocked from the track. Will Cupples was killed outright and the following were injured:

  Arrison, Norlan, bruised and cut on head; severe.

  Arrison, Orin, two scalp wounds.

  Bueler, Asa, injured in spine and hip.

  Darrah, David, shoulder, spine and hip.

  Gunter, Harlin, scalp wound, injured in spine; severe.

  Handlin, James A., slight injuries.

  Hostutler, Earl, struck on head; unconscious.

  McReynolds, J. L., slight injuries.

  Peers, J. M., slight injuries.

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The Daily Star, Fredericksburg, VA - 20 October 1899

From Google News Archive on 8 January 2012

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Fatality Prevents a Charivari

  Seymour, Ia., Oct. 19.--An accident occurred here last night in which one person was killed and nine others injured, several of them probably fatally. A crowd of young men had started to the country to charivari a newly married couple, and as they drove across the Rock Island track, in the eastern limits of the city, they were struck by a train and knocked from the track. Will Cupples was killed outright and his body was found upon the pilot of the engine. The other members of the party were thrown promiscuously along the track, the wagon completely demolished and the harness torn from the horses.

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Warsaw Daily Times, Warsaw Indiana - 19 October 1899

From Google News Archive on 8 January 2012

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RUN DOWN BY A TRAIN

Wagon Load of Young Men Who Were 

Going to a Charivari

  Seymour, Ia., Oct. 19.--A frightful accident occurred here at 7:45 o'clock yesterday evening, in which one person was killed and nine others injured, perhaps several of them fatally. A crowd of young men had started to the country to charivari a newly married couple and as they drove across the Rock Island track in the east limits of the city they were struck by the east bound meat train and knocked from the track. Will Cupples was killed outright.

  List of casualties:  J. W. Cupples, dead; Asa Bueller, injured in spine and hip; David Darrah, shoulder, spine and hip; Harlin Gunter, scalp wound, injured in spine, probably serious; Norlan Arrison, bruised and cut on head, bad; Orin Arrison, two scalp wounds; Earl Hostutler, unconscious; J. M. Peers, slight injuries; J. L. McReynolds, slight injuries; James A. Handlin, slight injuries.

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Kendallville Standard, Kendallville, Indian - 27 October 1899

From Google News Archive on 8 January 2012

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One Killed and Nine Injured

  One person was killed and nine others were injured, several probably fatally, in a grade crossing accident at Seymour, Iowa. A wagon in which were ten young men bound across the country to charivari a newly married couple was struck by an east-bound meat train on the Rock Island road and knocked from the track. Will Cupples was killed outright. 

Mary P. Rotisky Rash, 1900-1985

Daily Iowegian - June 1985

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  Seymour -- Mary P. Rash, 85, a resident of Seymour, died Tuesday, June 25, 1985, in Wayne County Hospital, Corydon.

  Born May 14, 1900, in Appanoose County, she was the daughter of James and Josie Matalski Rotisky. She was married to Wayne Rash and he survives.

  Also surviving are three daughters, Deloris Darrah and Genevieve Mincks of Seymour and Rowena Robinson of Knoxville.

  Services will be Thursday, June 27, at 2 p.m. at the Randolph Funeral Home here, with the Rev. James Nicholson officiating. Burial will be in Southlawn Cemetery. A memorial to the diabetes foundation has been established and gifts may be left at the funeral home. Visitation will be at 7 p.m. tonight.

Wayne Ora Rash, 1904-1986

Daily Iowegian - November 1986

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  Wayne Ora Rash was born April 24, 1904 in Newtown, Missouri, the son of Albert and Ida (Thomas) Rash. He was one of a family of 14 children.

  He departed this life November 23, 1986 at the age of 82 years, 6 months and 29 days at the Corydon Care Center where he had made his home for the past 16 months.

  Wayne was united in marriage to Mary Rotisky May 13, 1922 and to this union three daughters were born. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary May 13, 1985. Mary preceded him in death on June 25, 1985.

  Also preceding him in death were his parents; four brothers; three sisters and three who died in infancy; also one son-in-law, Eugene Darrah.

  Wayne is survived by three brothers; Zora of Seymour, Iris of Des Moines and John of Seal Beach, California. He is survived by his children, Genevieve Mincks and husband, Richard of Seymour; Deloris Darrah of Seymour; and Rowena Robinson and husband, Don of Knoxville. Also, five grandchildren, Mary Couchman and husband, Garv of Seymour; Steve Mincks of Kirksville, Missouri; Dara Wells and husband, Josh of Cincinnati; Dian Darrah of Kirksville, Missouri; and Todd Robinson of Kansas City, Missouri; three great grandchildren: Duane and Troy Couchman of Seymour and Nathan Wells of Cincinnati. Also, a host of nieces, nephews and friends. He was a kind and loving father and grandfather and will be missed by all who knew him.

  Most of Wayne's life was spent farming in the Jerome area. He was especially fond of the outdoors and was an avid hunter.

  In 1979 they retired and moved to Seymour.

  In 1966 he accepted Christ as his personal Savior, was baptized and joined the Jerome Methodist Church, which he attended as long as his health permitted.

  Services were held Wednesday, November 26, 1986, at 1:30 p.m. from the Randolph Funeral Home in Seymour with the Rev. Don Kraps officiating. Milton Albertson sang the hymn's "The Old Rugged Cross" and "How Great Thou Art" with Iris Merritt, pianist. The pallbearers were Merrill Condra, Charles Figge, Paul McElvain, Terry McElvain, Norman Hefner and Wilbur Rupalo.

  Interment was in the Southlawn Cemetery.

Lincoln Township, Appanoose County

Past and Present of Appanoose County, Iowa

Edited by L. L. Taylor

Chicago: The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1913

Page 406-407

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Lincoln township is bounded on the west by Wayne county, on the north by Johns township, on the east by Bellair and Pleasant townships, and on the south by Franklin township. It was organized in the '50s. Jerome postoffice was established a number of years ago but has been discontinued.

Lincoln has many good farms, the soil being arable and well drained by Cooper and Shoal creeks. Its people are industrious and progressive, as the well-tilled fields, good roads and fences, modern homes and farm buildings well attest. There are no better supported district schools in the county and the churches testify to the religious character of the men and women. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroads enter the township.

Among the early settlers were John Moore, who came here in 1848. He is said to have killed thirty deer in one week, they were so plentiful. Mr. Moore was wont to tell of his experiences. Wolves were so numerous that the farmers' live stock were in constant danger from their ravages. He told of killing a buck, a fine, large fellow. After skinning and dressing it, he took a hind quarter to town and traded it for the family's first set of cups and saucers. No mill, at the time of his settlement here, was closer than Des Moines, so the family subsisted for a while on grated boiled corn. Their buckwheat flour was made by a coffee mill.

S. C. Van Ness left the Keystone state in 1857 and arrived in this county. He became one of the prosperous men of this township.

Peter Sidles, born in Ohio, became a resident of this county in 1859. He located on section 3 in this township, and soon had one of the finest farms in the community. He was a veteran of the Civil War and very prominent both in church and lodge circles.

A. S. Van Dorn, after four years' experience in the gold mines of California, settled down to farm life in this township in 1855. He prospered and attained a place in the estimation of his neighbors that was enviable.

John Maning [Manning], an Ohioan, settled here in 1854 and became prosperous and influential. His son Harvey was a member of the Eighth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry.

Jonathan Rinker, a Kentuckian by birth, came to this state from Indiana in 1845, bring with him his wife, Elizabeth. They first settled in Van Buren county, removing from there to Appanoose in 1851 and entering a tract of land. The family, consisting of eleven members, traveled to their new home in a wagon drawn by oxen, and when he arrived at his destination Mr. Rinker had but eleven dollars remaining. The boys of the family were Robert F., Oliver C., Franklin, Leander, Walter and George W.

C. R. Jackson located in this township in 1854, coming from Indiana.

Robert S. Lowry was born in Indiana. The year 1847 found him in Illinois and from that state he removed to Appanoose county in 1853, locating on section 20, this township. He became one of the largest landholders in the county, owning at one time over a thousand acres. Mr. Lowry dealth largely in live stock and reaped a generous profit from his operations, part of which he invested in bank stock.

M. Darrah and his father, Henry Darrah, were early in the county, coming here in 1856. In 1858 the son married Susannah Lawrer, daughter of William and Catherine Lawrer, early settlers in the county.

Addison Pendergast was born in Ripley county, Indiana, in 1848. In 1858 he settled in this township with his parents. He was a veteran of the Civil war.

Henry Moreland [Morlan], who married Belinda C. Jones, daughter of an Appanoose pioneer, settled in this town in 1852. In the following spring they removed to Independence township.

John F. Batterson, 1862-1947

The Seymour Herald - 10 April 1947

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  Funeral services for John F. Batterson were held at the Ruby Funeral Parlor on Friday, April 4, at 1:30 p.m. conducted by J. D. Noland, Christian minister.

  Music was furnished by Mrs. Verda Morrow and Miss Isal Miller with Mrs. Thelma Cain at the piano. Selections were: "Saved By Grace" and "The City Four Square."

  Pallbearers were John Squire, Carl Garretson, Clark Anderson, Harry Ratcliff, Frank Chambers and W. O. Moore.

  The remains were tenderly laid to rest in Philadelphia cemetery.

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  John F. Batterson, son of John and Elizabeth Batterson, was born in Washington county, Iowa, Aug. 29, 1862. He departed this life April 2, 1947, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Earl Darrah, 6 miles east of Seymour, at the age of 84 years, 7 months and 4 days. He came with his parents to Appanoose county in 1868, where he grew to manhood.

  He was united in marriage with Lena Marvah Houghland October 4, 1888. She preceded her husband in death July 26, 1940. Two children blessed their marriage that are living, William Coe Batterson of Seymour, and Mrs. Regina May Darrah, 6 miles east of Seymour.

  Mr. Batterson's life vocation was farming and stock raising, until he retired and moved to Seymour in 1920 where he remained till the death of his wife. On the account of poor health he went to the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Darrah, where he was cared for until the close of life.

  Mr. Batterson was the last one of his immediate family of seven children, his passing was the last of his father's family. He was true to every obligation of life, a devoted Christian. He confessed his faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, obeyed the Gospel in 1889 and for 58 years he was a devoted Christian. Always looking forward to the great promise given in Rev. 2:10: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.

  He is mourned in death by his son and family, daughter and family, including 5 grand children, 9 great grandchildren, nephews and nieces, other relatives and a host of friends that loved and admired him for his manly Christian life and devotion to all mankind. 

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Card of Thanks

  We wish to thank all of our neighbors and friends for the many kindnesses shown us during the illness and death of our loved one. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

  -- Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Batterson and family

  -- Mr. and Mrs. Earl Darrah and family

Morlan Families Had 33rd Reunion

The Seymour Herald - 30 June 1955

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  The 33rd annual reunion of the Morlan families was held at the Webb Sales Pavilion east of Corydon Sunday, June 26, with 56 present.

  The noon dinner was served to Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Butler, Mrs. Belinda Willis, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Darrah, E. A. Van Benthusen, all of Corydon, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Morlan and Sara and Linda, Mr. and Mrs. Will Elam, Mr. and Mrs. Laten Atwell, Mr. and Mrs. Emmons Atwell and Lorene and Florence, all of Plano.

  Also Cecil Stephens of Chariton, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Baughman and Barbara and Michael and L. L. Morlan of Indianola, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Hiatt, Mrs. Mae Robertson and Lona, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Morlan, Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Elgin of Centerville, Ed Jeffries, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Dixon and Emma, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Smith and Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Thompson and Carla, Marilyn and Gary, all of Promise City, Tommy Demry, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Van Benthusen, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dixon, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Robison, Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Webb and Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Jeffries and Jay of Corydon. 

Do You Remember When?

  The Roy Darrah family expects to move about March 1 [1923] to the Kinney farm near Jerome. Mrs. Kinney and son, Carl, will move to the Mincks property on Sixth Street and the Mincks family is moving to the farm northwest of this city [Seymour].

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  Transcribed from The Seymour Herald "Do You Remember When..?" column [Thirty Years Ago] of Thursday 19 February 1953.