Greenwood County
KSGenWeb
[She died] At her home in Bachelor township, this county Sunday, Feb. 17th, 1889, Hannah, wife of H.J. Willis, aged 71 years and 5 days.
The deceased was born in Gibson county, Indiana, February 12, 1818, and her maiden name was Brown. Her parents removed to Mt. Carmel, Washington County, Illinois, where on the 8th day of September 1836, she was married to her husband, who is now mourning the loss of his life's companion.
In the summer of 1859 she, with her husband and children removed to Kansas and located on Bachelor Creek in this county where she continued to reside until her death. She leaves four children, viz: Mrs. Edwin Tucker, Mrs. Henry S. Jones, John and Ezra Willis, all of whom reside in this county.
The deceased was an earnest, sincere christian, a loving wife and mother and was loved by all for her many excellent qualities of hand and heart.
The funeral services conducted by Rev. E.R. Drake, pastor of the First Congregational church, were held at the house on Tuesday at 10:30 o'clock a.m. and following which her body, midst sorrowing relatives and friends was laid at rest in Greenwood.
Contributed by Betty Ralph bralph@HiWAAY.net
At nine o'clock yesterday morning, August 22, 1904, Harrison J. Willis, one of the oldest and best known of the pioneer citizens of Greenwood county, died at the home of his son, John Willis, in Bachelor township from old age. Mr. Willis was eighty-nine years, ten months and seventeen days old at the time of his death. He had been in ill health for several years and about two months ago took to bed and has been unable to leave it since that time. He gradually grew weaker and weaker and for a short time before his death was too feeble to move without assistance or to carry on a conversation with those about him. His mind remained clear to the last.
Harrison J. Willis was born in Hopkins county, Kentucky, October 3, 1814. When fourteen years old he moved with his parents to Illinois which was at that time a comparatively new country and Mr. Willis was trained from boyhood to the life of the pioneer, which training was of great benefit to himself and others in later life. In 1836 he married Miss Hannah Brown and after several years residence in Illinois and Indiana they came to Kansas, traveling by wagon, for railroads had not yet been laid on Kansas soil. When Mr. Willis arrived where Eureka now stands there were scarcely half a dozen houses on the townsite.
Mr. Willis took up a claim south-east of Eureka on Fall River which he sold in 1863 and moved to Bachelor Creek, filing on the homestead which has since been his home.
When Greenwood county was organized Mr. Willis was appointed a member of the first board of county commissioners. He has at other times held positions of honor in his township and county and was never known to shirk a duty or betray a trust. Mrs. Willis died in 1889 and since that time Mr. Willis has lived with his children in Bachelor township. Of the eight children born to them four survive: They are John Willis, Ezra Willis, Mrs. Edwin Tucker and Mrs. H.S. Jones, all of Greenwood county.
Funeral service was held this morning (Tuesday) at ten o'clock from the residence of John Willis, conducted by the Rev. G.F. Bradford of the Christian church of Eureka, of which church Mr. Willis has been a member for many years. The funeral was attended by a large number of the relatives and friends of the deceased who gathered to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of an honored citizen whose good works will live after him.
Contributed by Betty Ralph bralph@HiWAAY.net
Died, at his residence in this county on the 7th day of April 1869, Benjamin S. Jones, in the 58th year of his age.
Mr. Jones was the son of Benjamin Jones and was raised in Cuyahoga County Ohio, not far from Cleveland. Many years since, he removed from there to Wisconsin. In the Fall of 1859 he removed thence to Greenwood County, Kansas, where he continued to reside till the time of his death.
Neighbor Jones was a devoted patriot, and his devotion to the principle of human Liberty led him, notwithstanding his age, to engage in the service of the Government in the late struggle between freedom and slavery. After two years' service, his health failing, he was honorably discharged and returned to avocations of private life. He seems never to have recovered his health after leaving the service.
Mr. Jones was an estimable citizen, a good neighbor, devoted friend, a kind and indulgent husband and father.
He leaves a wife and three sons to mourn his loss. May the Lord support them in this their hour of trial.
He was followed to the grave by a large concourse of neighbors and friends.
Contributed by Betty Ralph bralph@HiWAAY.net
Madison News, 3/21/96
Stokes Harold Crooks, 78 of Ottawa, Kansas, died early Sunday
morning, March 17, 1996, at his home in Ottawa.
He was born August 21, 1917, in Neal, Kansas, the son of John Earl and Mary Gertrude (Smith) Crooks.
On May 18, 1940, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Laverne Smith in Yates Center, Kansas. They were priveledged to share over 55 years together. She survives of the home.
Mr. Crooks was a farmer and carpenter. He farmed in rural Waverly, Kansas, until August of 1977, when he and his wife moved to Ottawa. He then worked as a carpenter with his son Harold for the Dickerson Brothers in Eudora, Kansas, until retiring in 1984.
He was a member of the Local Union #1445 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of Topeka, Kansas.
Survivors include his wife and his daughter, Jaron D. Crooks, both of the home; two other daughters, Virginia L. Harris and Susie Walker, also of Ottawa; three sons, Harold E. Crooks of Waverely, Dick D. Crooks of Ottawa, Russel L. Crooks of WIlliamsburg, Kansas; two brothers, Charles Crooks and Dean Crooks, both of Burlington, Kansas; two sisters, Alice Bannister of Madison, Kansas, and Leona Bell of Wichita, Kansas; 21 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Laverne Kay Crooks; one brother, John Kenneth Crooks; three sisters, Jewel A. Rogers, Gertrude Crooks and Wanda L. Crooks.
Funeral services were held at 1:30 p. m. Wednesday, March 20, 1996, at Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home in Ottawa. Interment followed at Waverly Cemetery, Waverly.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas Heart Association or the Crooks Children's Education Fund and may be left in care of the funeral home.
Contributed by Debbie Wafford drwaff@mail.aros.net
Kenneth Duane Crooks, 35, Eureka, died near Hamilton on December 29, 1983.
Crooks was born here April 29, 1948, the son of John Kenneth and Nora Anna Smith Crooks. He was a lifelong resident of the community and worked in the oil fields most of his life.
On January 13, 1969, Crooks married Jessie Louise Chavez in Yates Center.
Crooks is survived by his wife, Jessie, and a son John Kenneth, of the home; his mother, Nora Crooks, Eureka; five brothers, Charles, Wichita, Jerry, Heroldberg, Calif., Earl, State of Colorado, Francis, Eureka, and Jack, Florence; and five sisters, Donna McGrew, Delaware, Okla., Violet Leach, SuiSun, Calif., Mary Hanson, Spearman, Texas, Judy Britton, Florence, and Beverly Gravatt, Eureka. He was preceded in death by his father, a brother, a sister and a daughter.
The funeral service was held at Campbell Funeral Home the afternoon of December 31, 1983. The Rev. Marty McCord, pastor of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church, officiated. Interment was in the Greenwood Cemetery.
Contributed by Debbie Wafford drwaff@mail.aros.net
Friday afternoon, August 14, 1914, at 1:30 o'clock, occured the death of little Gertrude, age one year and ten months, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Crooks, of Quincy, Kansas.
Little Gertrude fell asleep to awake in Heaven; her stay on earth was short, but long enoough to entwine about herself the affections of her parents, little brother and sister and all who knew her. We feel that all Heaven was glad and sang at her coming and while the dear ones at home are left lonely, Heaven is made richer for her coming and she is waiting there for the coming of her loved ones. While the days are long and lonely you will recall the tender words; "And a little child shall lead them"; and "Suffer the little children to come unto me," will ring in our hearts with a gladder, truer message than ever before; and some day we will meet our little darling where sickness and death are unknown.
Little Gertrude was a bright babe and dearly loved by all who knew her. But grieve not, dear friends your loss is her eternal gain, and although a chair is vacant in the home, there is another blossom in heaven.
The funeral was held at the family home west of Quincy, conducted by the Rev. Page of Neal, Kansas. -------By a Friend
Contributed by Debbie Wafford drwaff@mail.aros.net
Charles Balsom, 66, died January 1, 1977, at his home in Hamilton. He was the son of Woolsey Balsom and Carrie May Smith Balsom, born June 19, 1910 in Hamilton.
Balsom lived in the Hamilton area his entire life.
He married Louise Cummins April 3, 1949 in Emporia. He was employed by the Kansas State Highway Dept. He also was a member of the Madison American Legion.
Balsom is survived by his wife, Louise, of the home; one daughter Mrs. R. L. (Kathryn) May, Wichita, one step-son Forest Smith of Arkansas City; two step-daughters, Mrs. David (Sherry) Clymer, ElDorado, and Mrs. Linda Cowell, Hamilton; two sisters, Mrs. Harold Troll and Mrs. Maude Mills, Hamilton, and seven grandchildren.
Graveside services were held at the Janesville Cemetery, Hamilton, on Monday, Jan. 3, 1977 at 2 p.m. Campbell Funeral Home had charge of the services.
Contributed by Debbie Wafford drwaff@mail.aros.net
Eureka Herald, June 8, 1989
Harold G. Troll, 74, Hamilton, died at the Greenwood County
Hospital, Sunday, June 4, 1989. He was born, February 8, 1915
at Lukeba, Okla., the son of Jasper and Eva Mae Bobbitt Troll.
He attended school in Oklahoma.
On June 2, 1939, he married Ruth H. Balsom in Eureka and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Friday. They made their home in Greenwood, Ark., for a year and returned to Hamilton. They moved to El Dorado where Harold was employed by the city as a backhoe operator until his retirement in 1972 when they returned to Hamilton to make their home.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth, of the home; two daughters, Martisha 'Marty' Hudson, Hutchinson, Alice Islett, Wichita; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one brother, Fred Troll, Wichita.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a sister.
Funeral services were held at the Campbell Funeral Home Wednesday, June 7, 1989 at 2 p. m. with Rev. Gary Roellchen, pastor of the Hamilton United Methodist Church, officiating.
Interment was in Janesville Cemetery, Hamilton.
A memorial has been established in his name to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation. Contributions may be left at the funeral home.
Contributed by Debbie Wafford drwaff@mail.aros.net
Eureka Herald
John T Schwint, eldest son of Frank and Louise Schwint was born
near Lousvillle (sic), KY on November 11, 1860 and departed this
life at his home in Quincy, Kansas on April 16th, 1935 at the
age of 74 years, 5 months and 5 days.
At the age of 3 years, he moved with his parents to Terra Haute, IN, where he grew to young manhood.
He was united in marriage to Mary Fields on February 27th, 1881 and to this union was born 9 children. His wife died in December of 1900 and also four children preceeded him in death.
On April 19th, 1903 he was united in marriage to Nevada Smith who survives.
In the spring of 1883, Mr. Schwint like many other young men of the earlier days decided to come to Kansas and he with his wife and two babies drove in a covered wagon and settled near the old Ainsworth ranch near where the 101 school district now stands.
He like many other old settlers came to this country in the bloom of life and gave to this new country the best of his ability and energy and help to build and make and mold, into the country what it is today.
While Mr. Schwint was never blessed with much of the worldly goods yet, he always tried to be a kind neighbor, a willing worker and helper to those who needed help. The night was never to dark nor the road to long for him to go to the help of a neighbor or friend when they were in need. He moved to Quincy, Kansas in September of 1905.
In December of 1928 he was afflicted with a stroke and has never been able to enjoy life to its fullest extent since that time and yet he has been a patient sufferer, always having a kind word for those who knew him best. He never grew impatient with those who tried to make life a pleasure for him but always tried to show the greatest of appreciation for all of their kindness.
And so the grim reaper has again seen fit to close history's page for a man who had served his three score and ten years and even more and was willing and ready to meet his creator.
He was converted and united with the United Brethren church of Quincy during the winter of 1928 and has been a faithful member of this church ever since.
He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Nevada Schwint: three sons, Earl Schwint of Raymond, Washington; Ira Schwint of Burdett, Kansas and Robert Schwint of Amorita, Oklahoma and two daughters, Mrs. Bessie Karraker of Neal, Kansas, Mrs. P. M. Ditty of Virgil, Kansas. 21 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren and 3 sisters and 4 brothers and a host of friends.
Contributed by Debbie Wafford drwaff@mail.aros.net
Woolsey Balsom, son of Abraham and Margaret Balsom was born in Haverstraw, New York on May 20, 1857 and departed this life, April 10, 1942, age 84 years, 10 months and 26 days.
He came to Kansas with his parents in 1870 locating in Burlington, where he grew to manhood. He them moved with his mother to Hamilton, residing here until his death. He practiced Veterinary Surgery in Greenwood County for 50 years. He was united in marriage to Carrie May Smith on March 16, 1905. To this union was born three children; Maude Mills of Mountain View, California, Charles W. Balsom of Sheppard Field, Texas, U. S. Army, and Ruth Troll of Hamilton. Besides raising his own family he raised his 2 younger sisters who preceded him in death and also a nephew Woolsey Newton of Kokomo, Colorado. He leaves to morn his passing his wife and 3 children, five grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and host of friends.
Funeral services were held from the home April 18, and interment was made in the Hamilton cemetery. Rev. Geo. Williams officiating.
Contributed by Forest Smith smithf@arkcity.com
Frank Elmer Balsom was born at Rockford, Illinois, July 28, 1862, departed this life at the home of his grand-daughter, Mrs. H. J. Schooler, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, April 9, 1941.
On May 18, 1884, he was married to Ida Steele. To this union one child, a daughter Mayme (Mamie) Florence was born. Several years ago he made a profession of Faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
The past fourteen years of his life have been spent in the vicinity of Seligman, where he and his wife quietly spent their life on their farm, which is about mile from Seligman. His friends and neighbors knew Mr. Balsom, as a pleasant jovial neighbor, he was ever ready to help those who were sick or needy.
He leaves his wife, of the home, and their only daughter, Mrs. L. W. Bass of Emporia, Kansas, seven grandchildren; Mrs. H. J. Schooler, of Tulsa, Okla., Robert Keating, Hamilton, Kansas, Mrs. Walter Cline, Emporia, Kansas, Harold Keating, Emporia, Kansas, Frank Keating of Emporia, Kansas, Noble Keating and Eileen Keating of Tulsa, Oklahoma; also five great grandchildren, one brother, Woolsey Balsom, of Hamilton, Kansas, who is present at this service.
Contributed by Forest Smith smithf@arkcity.com
Ida Steele Balsom
Mrs. Ida Balsom, who lives at 320 South Mechanic with her daughter, Mrs.
Lawrence Bass, died at the home this morning at 1:20 o'clock (October 26,
1954)
Funeral services and burial will be in Seligman, Mo. at a time to be announced later.
Mrs. Balsom was born March 29, 1866, in White county, Indiana, a daughter of the last Samuel L. and Flora Ann Steele. She married Frank E. Balsom in Burlington, May 19, 1884. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Bass of Emporia, and one sister, Mrs. Josie West of Osawatomie. She is survived by three granddaughters, four grandsons, 10 great grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Grandchildren living in Emporia are Mrs. Walter Cline, 227 South Mechanic, Harold D. Keating, 905 East Sixth Ave., and Frank E. Keating, 509 Sylvan.
Mrs. Balsom was a member of the Rebekah lodge and the Presbyterian Church.
Contributed by Forest Smith smithf@arkcity.com
BALSOM SERVICE THURSDAY
Funeral services for Mrs. Ida Balsom, who died her home, 320 South Mechanic
Tuesday, will be held at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon in the Union
Chapel church at Seligman, Mo. The pastor, the Rev. Bob Willhite, will
conduct the services. Burial will in New Salem cemetery at Seligman.
Balsom, Mrs. Ida, 88 years old, Funeral services will be held Thursday, 2:30 p.m., Union Chapel, Seligman, Mo. Burial will be in New Haven cemetery, Seligman, Mo. Roberts-Blue Funeral Home
Contributed by Forest Smith smithf@arkcity.com
Mamie Florence Balsom Keating Bass
Mrs. Lawrence Bass, 320 South Mechanic St., died at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday
at St. Mary's Hospital (Jan 23, 1957)
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Roberts-Blue-Barnett Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Clyde S. Clark of the First Methodist Church. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery.
Mamie Florence Balsom, daughter of Frank E. and Ida Steele Balsom was born Nov. 15, 1885 in Burlington. She married F. F. Keating in Peoria, Ill., in 1901 and moved to Emporia in 1927. She married Lawrence Bass in Emporia in 1930. She survived by her husband and of the home ; four sons, Robert J. Keating, 115 Market St., Harold D. Keating, 908 Whitter St., Frank E. Keating, 509 Sylvan St., and Phil N. Keating, Houston, Tx. three daughters; Mrs. H. J. Schooler, Tulsa, Ok., Mrs. Walter Cline, 227 South Mechanic St. and Mrs. Bearl Marsh, Lindsay, Ok.; ten granddaughters, three grandsons, and six great grandchildren. She was a member of the Methodist Church.
Contributed by Forest Smith smithf@arkcity.com
Funeral services for Mrs. Mamie Florence Bass, 320 South Mechanic St., who died Wednesday, were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, in the Roberts-Blue-Barnett Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Clyde S. Clark of the First Methodist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Trevor Lewis sang accompanied by Mr. Robert Plummer. Pallbearers were Jack Bass, Clem Bass, Pete Bass Sr., Pete Bass Jr., Bearl Marsh and Joe Schooler. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery. Out-of town relative attending the services were P. N. Keating, Houston, Tx, Mr. and Mrs. John Worley and children, Anita, Wanda, and Carl, Holyrood; Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Schooler, Tulsa, Ok., Mr. and Mrs. Bearl Marsh, Lindsay, Ok., Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bass, Girard, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Bass Burlington, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bass, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Bass Sr., and Mrs. Glen Mitchell Americus, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Rork and children, Janice and Jimmie, Hutchinson, Mr. and Mrs. Dom Romy, Iola, Mrs. Ruth Balsom Troll, El Dorado, Charlie Balsom, and Mrs. Maude Mills, Hamilton.
Contributed by Forest Smith smithf@arkcity.com
Mrs. John T. (Nevada Smith) Schwindt
Mrs. John T. Schwindt (Nevada Smith), died Saturday (Jan 30, 1964) in the
Stine Nursing Home. Services were held Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 2, 1964) in the
Methodist Church in Quincy, conducted by the Rev. Wayne Reynolds, Pastor of
the Methodist church in Hamilton. Betty Hays sang, accompanied by Mrs. J.
Miller. Pallbearers were Geld Kussman, C. W. Balsom, Paul Degraffenreid,
Charles and Dean Crooks, and Ben P. Mills. Burial was in the Quincy
Cemetery. Relatives who attended from out of town were Edith and Beverly
Ditty, and Messrs and Messadames Gerald Kussman, Paul Degraffenried,
Virgil, P. A. Mills, C. W. Balsom, Hamilton, Virgil Bell and Floyd M.
Rogers, Yates Center, Charles & Gerald Crooks, Burlington, Mr. & Mrs.
Kenneth Crooks, Mr. & Mrs. Stokes Crooks, Eureka, Mrs. Harold Troll, El
Dorado (could not read last several names).
Contributed by Forest Smith smithf@arkcity.com
OLDEST CITIZEN DIES
In the death of Samuel (B.) Potts ages 94 years, 6 months and 21 days, at
the home of his daughter Mrs. John S. Halstead, Tuesday night, Jan. 30.
Greenwood County loses her oldest citizen.
Mr. Potts came from Iowa to live with his daughter, northwest of Hamilton, five years ago. He was born in Stubenville, Ohio, July 9, 1822, and a young man was a boatman on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Later he help break the virgin prairie in Illinois, and then on to Iowa as a pioneer of that State. His wife died ten years ago. He leaves three living children, two having died. Those living are Will Potts of Onawa, Iowa, Mrs. John Halstead of Hamilton, and Theodore Potts of Holstien, Iowa, all whom were here at the funeral, which took place at the residence of his daughter Thursday morning, Rev. Lantz officiating after which the remains were interred in the Hamilton cemetery. Beside the children he left 12 grandchildren and 2 great grand children.
Contributed by Forest Smith smithf@arkcity.com
John S. Halsted, son of William and Elizabeth (Warne, Warren) Halsted, was born in Indiana December 29, 1852 and departed this life August 28, 1943,at the age of 90 years, 7 months and 26 days, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. G. T. Laird, Kansas City, Kansas. He was united in marriage to Mary Ida Potts March 15, 1877. To this union was born four children: Mrs. Bertha Kerner, Stillwell, Kans., Mrs. Minnie Laird, Kansas City, Kans., Mrs. Hattie Cummins, Los Altos, Calif., and Roy Halsted of Hamilton, Kans. Three grandchildren and three great grandchildren are left to mourn his loss. His wife preceded him in death May 11, 1938.
He moved from Miami County, Kansas, to Greenwood County in January 1900, where he resided until two years ago when he went to make his home with his daughter, Mrs. Laird.
He Was a good neighbor, and a kind and loving father and was highly respected by everyone who knew him.
The funeral was held from the Methodist church Friday afternoon, Aug 27th, in charge of the pastor, Rev. M. A. Good. Interment was made in Hamilton cemetery.
Contributed by Forest Smith smithf@arkcity.com
John William Cummins, son of Chas. and Ruth Ann (Lynch, Alsup) Cummins was born near Lexington, Indiana, Sepetember 16, 1858 and departed this life at his home near Quincy, Kansas, October 27, 1935, age 77 years, 1 month and 11 days. When he was four years old moved with his parents to Harrison County Missouri, where he grew to manhood.
In 1879 he was married to Susannah Josephine Smith at Martinville, Missouri, who died in November 1900. To this union were born eight children, one dying in infancy. In 1902 he and his children moved to a farm near Hamilton, Kansas. In 1904 he was married to Frances A. Laffoon of Albany, Missouri. Six children were born of the marriage. One dying in infancy. In December 1914 he moved to a farm near Albany, Missouri, residing in Gentry County until February 1929 when he again moved to Hamilton, Kansas, and has resided in Greenwood County since that time. He united with the Methodist Church in early life. He has lived a devoted Christian life and was a friend to everyone.
Leaving to mourn his passing are his devoted wife Mrs. Frances A. Cummins, and his children Chas. W. Cummins, Madison: Mrs. Essie Edwards., Hamilton, David M. Cummins, Burrton, Cary E. Cummins, Clem C. Cummins, Mrs. Ruth Lewsi, all of Hamilton; Mrs. Eva L. Shaffer, Fullerton, California, Mrs. Verina Logsdon, Atlanta, Kansas, Miss Nellie Cummins, Norton; Miss Opal Cummins of Topeka, Mrs. Lucilie Pratt, of Wichita: Miss Aletha Cummins of the home and a step daughter, Mrs. Edith Huff of Norton, on brother, Joshua Cummins of McFall, Missouri, also twenty-five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
Singers were form Quincy, Kansas. Rev. M. M. Murrell, pastor of the M. E. Church, Hamilton, conducted the services. Interment was made in the Hamilton cemetery.
Contributed by Forest Smith smithf@arkcity.com
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