Mrs. Henry Gates, an early day settler of Comanche county, died last Saturday, August 15, 1936, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hitchcock in this city, where she had been cared for for some time past. Mrs. Gates was a well known and loved woman, and many sorrow at her passing. Mr. Gates preceded her in death a little over a year ago, having died at their home on August 3, 1935.Funeral services were held for Mrs. Gates at the Methodist church in this city on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 with the pastor, Rev. A. E. Greenler, in charge, and burial was in Crown Hill cemetery beside the husband.
The music was furnished by Raymond Cline, who sang a solo, and Mrs. Martha Zerby and Mrs. Ferrel Guizlo, who sang two duets. The pallbearers were: Active - Harry Knecht, Marvin Downing, Frank Dodson, Frank Todd, Raymond Parcel and Earnest Carthrae; Honor - W. J. Pepperd, Wm. Oller, C. M. Cole, Geo. Overocker, C. H. Jackson and E. G. Carthrae.
The following life sketch was read at the funeral service:
Narcissus Wright was born December 4, 1859, at Edenburg, Ind., and departed this life August 14, 1936, in Coldwater, Kans., at the age of 76 years, 8 months and 10 days. He parents died when she was quite young and she then made her home with an aunt until about the age of 28. In 1887, she came to Comanche county where she had previously met Henry Gates and to whom she married about November of that year. To this union five children were born. One daughter, Molly died in infancy and one son, Roy died on January 2, 1931, at the age of 38 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Gates lived in the Avilla neighborhood until 1898, living the life typical of the pioneer. In that year they moved to Nescatunga township, where they established their home and resided until the death of Mr. Gates.
Mrs. Gates leaves three children - two daughters, Mrs. Wm. Elliott and Mrs. O. O. Darnell, and one son, Victor, all of Coldwater; also eleven grandchildren, two of whom live in Iowa, and three great grandchildren. She also had several nephews and nieces living in this county and around Alva, Okla., and Kiowa, Kans. At an early age she united with the Christian church. She suffered as an invalid for the past 43 years. She was very devoted to her home and family and was a good neighbor, always interested in the welfare of others. Her death marks the passing of another of Comanche county's earliest pioneers.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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