Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-08-19
PIONEERS ARE PASSING.
Several Well known People Have
Answered the Final Summons
During the Past Week.
Frances.

was born in Northwestern New York
50 years ago, and came to DEBORAH
in an early day, and was one of the
big men of the town in those days
For many years he was one of the
city's prominent building contractors
and also a prominent pork packer
He also conducted several general
stores. He erected a number of the
fine homes of DEBORAH. He built the
J. H. Bradish home on Broadway
also the Theo. Burdick residence now
occupied by Clarence Christen and
family, also the Beard residences on
Day street, and many other fine resi-.
dences, which he built on specula-
ton. He also had the contract and
erected the DEBORAH jail building
Besides the above he built the pack
ing house on Main street, occupied
now by blacksmith shops and barns
He also erected the three business
houses on Washington street in
front of the packing house building,
occupied by Lynne & Kjome, c. E.
Mckinney and Gus Winger
In after years he took up claims
in the Dakotas and realized a large
sum from the sale of them, which af-
forwards was lost specializing on the
Chicago board of trade. Mr.. Frances
was one of the leading business men
of the community, but gradually lost
his all in poor speculations. His wife
and three children, one daughter and
two sons passed away some years
ago, and he was left practically
alone, with the exception of three
grandchildren who reside at Fort
Dodge.
He was a man of strong will pow
er, and no amount Of argument
could change his course, if he made
up his mind to carry out any parti-
cular transaction. 1t seems hard to
think, after all he possessed, that he
had to end his days in the poor
house, but it seems the way of the
world, when old age and a penni-
less situation confronts one, it's the
final end in many instances.
The funeral services will be held
this afternoon at two O'Clock from
the Congregational church, Rev.
Willett officiating, with interment in
the family lot in Phelps cemetery
where the wife and children are in
TERED
Gibson.
Mrs. Cornelia Janet Gibson passed
away Friday afternoon at the home
of her daughter, Mrs. DR.. B. Har-
mon, after an illness of ten days,
death being due to paralysis.
Deceased was born in Winwood,
Wayne County, Pennsylvania, June
I6, 1929. In 1858 she removed to
Illinois, and in 1871 to Wisconsin
and to Minnesota in 1890. She was
educated in the public schools of
Wayne county, Pennsylvania. In her
younger days she followed the pro-
fession of school teaching. In 1850
she was united in marriage at Win
wood, Penn, to James w. Gibson,
seven children being born to the un-
ion, three Of whom with the hus-
band and father having passed
away. Those surviving are: Myron
B. Gibson, Santa Rosa, California;
Mrs. NJ. E. Wilson, Omaha, Neb. !;
Mrs. B. Harmon, DEBORAH; Mrs. l..
A. Gullickson, Rushford, Mimi. The
deceased children are: Mrs. Lucy
Bunnell, Mrs. Cora Hammond and
William j.
Mrs. Gibson was a kind and chris
tian woman, possessed of beautiful
character and during her residence
in DEBORAH made innumerable frienGs
who will be grieved to hear of her
death, and the sympathy of manv
friends is extended to the bereaved
children.
Funeral services were held Mon
day afternoon from the Methodist
church, Rev. Lakeland officiating, in
terment being in Phelps cemetery.
Those from a distance who attend
ed the funeral were Mrs. NJ. E. Will
son, Omaha, Neb., and Mrs. l.. A.
Gullickson, Rushford, Mimi.
| Void.
Mrs. j. S. Void was summoned by
death on Monday morning at two
O'Clock at the family residence on
the West Side, her death terminating
an illness of long duration.
Elizabeth Espeseth was born in
Mas Hallendah, Norway, MAJ g.
1897. She came to America in 1913
settling, first in Rock county, Wis.
and later lived in Allamakee comfy
coming to DEBORAH in 1864. She was
united in marriage to John Void
Jan. II 1857. Ten children were born
Ito the union five of whom survive