Author Archives: Kris

Holt, Ruth (Adkins)

Date of Death: 1 May 1857
Subject: Ruth (Adkins) Holt
Source: Weekly Tribune, [Clay Co., MO], 22 May 1857

In Fillmore, Andrew county, Mo., on the 1st inst., at 5 o’clock P.M., Mrs. Ruth C. Holt, wife of John W. Holt, in the 22d year of her age.

Source: North West Democrat, Saturday, May 9, 1857, p. 3

“Died– In Fillmore, Andrew county, Mo., on the 1st inst., at 5 o’clock P.M., Mrs. Ruth C. Holt, wife of John W. Holt, in the 22nd year of her age, after a protracted illness, which she bore with exemplary Christian resignation. Exemplifying in the dark world of tribulations, that the way to a future and happy home, lies thro’ the dark valley and shadow of death, which may be passed in safety, by those who trust a faithful God. Her bereaved husband, parents, relatives, and numerous friends and especially her infant, left motherless, have the assurance that their loss is her gain. For her we may mourn– but only mourn as those who have hope, while we are called to weep with those who weep, our grief may subside by the comfort, which hope imparts. To meet her again, let us all be prepared.

A friend.”

Holt, Benjamin Rainey

Date of Death: 26 Jan 1893
Subject: Benjamin Rainey Holt
Source: Holt County Sentinel, 10 Feb 1893, p. 1

Benjamin R. Holt, one of the early settlers of Andrew county, died in that county recently. He served on the first grand jury of that county, and helped to survey the land on which Savannah now stands, and was one of the commissioners who located the county seat at Savannah.

Hite, Daniel

Date of Death: 16 Mar 1903
Subject: Daniel Hite
Source: Holt County Sentinel, 27 Mar 1903, p. 1

Daniel Hite, of Nodaway Station, died, March 16, 1903. He was born in Holt County, Missouri, November 14, 1873. Dannie was a young man that had made many friends, being a very quiet, nice young man. He had been afflicted with lung trouble for some length of time and confined to his bed 14 weeks. He left a young wife disconsolate, father, mother, brother and sisters, and hosts of friends. Interment in the Nodaway cemetery by the side of his baby boy that died over a year ago. Funeral sermon by Rev. Harder, of the Church of Christ, in Christian Union. Daniel Hite being a member of that church he died in triumph of the living faith.

Clifford.

Hiltibidal, Oliver

Date of Death: [Feb] 1852
Subject: Oliver Hiltibidal
Source: Savannah Sentinel, Saturday, 14 Feb 1852, No. 16, p. 2

Since our last, we regret to learn that two cases of this disease [smallpox] have proven fatal, in the vicinity of town, Oliver Hildibidal and Enoch Adkins, Jr. In Savannah, there have been few new cases, and it appears evident that the contagion is not spreading to any considerable extent. Every family we believe, have been successfully vaccinated, and it will not be long before the “foul scourge” shall have disappears from our midst.

Hilsenbeck, Malisa (Jackson)

Date of Death: 10 Jan 1898
Subject: Malisa Jane (Jackson) Hilsenbeck
Source: Holt County Sentinel, 21 Jan 1898, p. 4

Richville. Died, January 10th, 1898, the wife of Charles Hilsenbeck, Jr. Her sickness was of short duration: her death was unexpected. She leaves three motherless children.

Hilsenbeck, Charles

Date of Death: 18 Oct 1901
Subject: Charles D. Hilsenbeck
Source: Holt County Sentinel, 1 Nov 1901, p. 2

We are sorry to learn of the death of Charles D. the two-year old son of C. W. and Maymie Hilsenbeck, which occurred at their home in Nodaway township, October 18, 1901, and was buried at Fillmore. The parents feel truly grateful to those who came to their help in their hours of deep affliction.

Hickok, Hadassah Adella

Date of Death: 25 Jun 1874
Subject: Hadassah Adella Hickok
Source: Andrew County Republican, 3 Jul 1874, p. 8

Hickok– Died, on Thursday, June 25, of typhoid fever, after an illness of seven weeks, Hadasseh [sic] A., youngest daughter of J. E. and O. L. Hickok, aged 4 years and 5 months.

There has passed away one of the Savior’s dear little lambs. She was truly a lovely and amiable child, but we will not mourn her loss; for she now walketh the pearly streets, and weareth the golden crown in the New Jerusalem.

High Prairie, June 26, 1874

We lay thee in the silent tomb,Sweet blossom of the day; We just began to view that bloom,When thou art called away. Friendship and love have done their lastAnd now can do no more; The bitterness of death is past, And all thy sufferings o’er. Thy gentle spirit passed away ‘Mid pain the most severe; So great, we could not wish they stay A moment longer here. Oh! who could wish thy longer stay In such a world as this? Since thou hast gained the realms of day, And pure undying bliss.

Hewett, Legrand (____-1873)

Date of Death: 19 Apr 1873
Subject: Legrand Hewett
Source: Andrew County Republican, 25 Apr 1873, p. 3

From a friend in Platte township we learn that a fatal case of poisoning occurred in that township last week which should prove a warning to others. Legrand Hewett picked up some tuberous roots on some bottom land and supposing them to be spikenard, ate some of them and put others in his pocket. On Friday afternoon, after supper as they were burning prairie, he gave some to his brother, who ate some, and Legrand at some more himself. He came home and went to bed, apparently well as ever, at half-past 10 o’clock. At 11 o’clock he was taken with a convulsion, and was not perfectly rational when he came out of it. He was soon past swallowing, had repeated convulsions (thirteen, we are told), and died at 2 o’clock, three hours from the first apparent symptoms. He leaves a wife and two small children. The brother ate about the size of his fingers of the root; commenced vomiting about 2 o’clock; had his stomach thoroughly rinsed and took some medicine. He had a severe convulsion at half-past 4, but recovered. Our correspondent informs us that others have been using the roots for their “medicinal qualities,” and it is hoped that this will put a stop to it. We are told that the roots which caused one person’s death and nearly another, was that of wild parsnips.

Heren, Robert (c. 1787-1872)

Date of Death: 7 Apr 1872
Subject: Robert Heren
Source: Andrew County Republican, 12 Apr 1872, p. 3

On Sunday night last, April 7, Robert Heren, aged eighty-five years, departed this life, at the residence of his son, Judge William Heren, near this city. Mr. Heren migrated from Highland county, Ohio, about 1842 or 1843, and settled in this county, some six miles north of Savannah. Mr. Heren was a farmer, was noted for his integrity and honesty, was of a quiet, peaceable disposition and an excellent citizen. The cause of his death was extreme old age. Eleven children blessed his lfie (six sons and five daughters), all of whom are living with the exception of Mrs. Ralph T. Wilson, who was formerly known to many of our citizens. The wife of Robert Heren preceded him to the grave some twenty years, since which time the old gentleman has lived with his children until within a few years, when he made his home permanently with Judge Heren, his son, at whose residence he died. He was buried on Tuesday last.

Henderson, Margaret Lucile

Date of Death: 18 Dec 1920
Subject: Margaret Lucile Henderson
Source: Savannah Reporter, 24 Dec 1920, p. 1, column 3

Their Daughter Dies

The little 11-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Henderson died at their home in North Savannah just a week after they had moved here.

Mr. and Mrs. Henderson went to Sulphur Springs from their home at Guilford for little Margaret Lucile’s health and she appeared to improve for a few weeks, but again became ill and they returned to Savannah to be near their former home. She was a bright child, but the body was too frail for her to remain. She was born July 20, 1919, at Guilford and died in the afternoon of December 18. The gentleness of her life will ever remain a part of those who knew her and this lesson will be made easier for them.

Memorial services were held at the M. E. Church, South, with an address by Rev. A. C. Johnson, and burial was in the Savannah cemetery.

This family in a strange town found loving hands and hearts and willing because for this each one is living that they may be helpful to others in times of need.

Henderson, David M.

Date of Death: 24 Apr 1901
Subject: David M. Henderson
Source: Savannah Reporter, [26/27] Apr 1901

David M. Henderson, aged forty years, senior member of the firm of Henderson Bros. bridge builders, committed suicide at the home of his brother, Phillip Henderson, a mile and a half northwest of Savannah shortly after one o’clock Wednesday afternoon by blowing the top of his head off with a shotgun.

The body was first brought to town by … who lives near the Henderson home. The Coroner, who lives at Amazonia, was summoned, as was then an undertaker and officers.

Mr. Henderson had been sick for several months with a nervous trouble and while he was not sick in bed, he had not left the house.

Monday [?] evening Dave talked to his brother, Will, about being discouraged with himself on account of his illness and said he felt as though he was bothering them.

After dinner Wednesday, while Phillip Henderson was over at his brother Will’s across the road, Mrs. Phillip Henderson was in the house and Dave talked with her, telling her that if she wanted to put her garden in she had better get at it, as the season was late. Mrs. Henderson went out to the garden, but had been there but a short time when she heard a shot. She ran into the house and saw what had happened.

Mr. Henderson was in the east room of the house when he committed the act. He [laid?] in an arm rocking chair in the …east corner of the room [some thread] the breadth of a double barrel shotgun between the runs of the chair in front of him and with a … had pulled the trigger down, and the load struck him on the right side of his face, tearing away a large portion of his skull and scattering blood and brains all over the room. The scene in the room was a sickening one. The brains were scattered over the room for a distance of fifteen feet and the walls and the ceiling were splattered with blood. The floor beside him was covered with a great quantity of blood.

The skull had been broken by the shot and had fallen down inside the head. Everything inside had been blown out, leaving the empty skull. Henderson was sitting with his face to the west side of the room when he discharged the gun.

The gun was a No. 16 double-barreled, but the right barrel was the only one that had been loaded. The weapon belonged to Sam Cline.

Coroner Beaver, of Amazonia, arrived soon after the tragedy, and after looking at the body and reading the letter which Dave had written to his brother Will, decided that no inquest was necessary.

The letter, which was quite lengthy, was found in an inside coat pocket folded up, but not in an envelope. It was addressed to William C. Henderson, foreman, Henderson Bros. bridge contractors, and started out by requesting Will to tell his father, who is quite old, that they would soon meet again. The balance of the letter directed what disposition should be made of his property.

Dave Henderson is the oldest of the Henderson boys, sons of Thomas Henderson, one of Andrew county’s oldest and most respected citizens. He was quite wealthy. His ill health was brought on by overwork connected with the bridge building business.

The funeral took place Thursday afternoon, the remains being interred in the Cherry Grove [Daily] Cemetery. Mr. Henderson had never been married.

Source: Holt County Sentinel, 3 May 1901, p. 1

David H. [sic] Henderson committed suicide Wednesday afternoon, of last week, by blowing off the top of his head with a shotgun. The deed was committed at the home of the dead man’s brother, Philip Henderson, two miles northwest of Savannah. Henderson was forty years of age and a bachelor. He was a member of the firm, Henderson Brothers, bridge contractors, who are widely known throughout this part of the State, and in Nebraska where they have done a great deal of work. Henderson, who had lived in Andrew county all his life, was one of the richest men in the county. He is not known to have had any trouble of any kind, and no cause for killing himself is known. Henderson took a shotgun, placed the muzzle to his head, and pushed the trigger with his toes.

Heinz, Jacob

Date of Death: 30 Nov 1920
Subject: Jacob Heinz
Source: St. Joseph News-Press, 1 Dec 1920

Jacob Heinz eighty four years old died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Calvin Wild, 1101 North 3rd, yesterday afternoon. He was born in Germany and came to Clay County in 1854. He had lived at Cosby, Andrew County since 1881. Other survivors are Louis and Gustav Heinz, sons of Cosby, a sister Mrs. Barbara Zimmerman St. Joseph and a brother Louie of Cosby. The body will lie in state at Meierhoffer Chapel until Friday morning when it will be taken to Cosby for burial.

Hedgepeth, Rev. Henry (1832-1869)

Date of Death: 13 Feb 1869
Subject: Rev. Henry H. Hedgpeth
Source: St. Louis Christian Advocate, 10 Mar 1869, p. 8

Rev. Henry H. Hedgpeth was born June 5, 1832, and died Feb. 13, 1869.

In his early youth he was converted to God, and united with the M. E. Church, South. Before he had reached his majority he received a license to preach, and was admitted to the traveling connection in the Missouri Conference at its session in St. Joseph, in October, 1852. During the first or second year of his itinerant ministry he was united in marriage to Miss Kenion, who for about ten years shared with him the toils and sacrifices, the privileges and pleasures of the itinerant life. To them were born four children, three of whom had, with the mother, entered into rest before him. One yet remains. May the God of her father and of her mother be her God!

Bro. Hedgpeth had served the church in the office of Presiding Elder for several years, and at the last session of the Missouri Conference was reappointed to the Savannah district. He had nearly completed his first round of quarterly meetings when, on the 22nd of November, he was taken with symptoms of typhoid fever. He made an effort to read the house of Sister Wilson, widow of the late Rev. Anthony Wilson, formerly a member of the Kansas Conference, and after an effort of two days, sick and weary, but with a heart overflowing with gratitude to God, he found himself in the midst of that kind family where during his long and painful illness he was so carefully and tenderly nursed. His sickness was so protracted and his recovery so doubtful that there was great anxiety felt by the church throughout the entire Conference. Sharing this anxiety, and being within about sixty-five miles of him, I determined to visit him, and did so. I desired to know if he were comfortably situated, and was gratified to find that he wanted for nothing that Christian kindness could bestow. Better than this, I found him exceedingly happy in God, full of faith and hope. He desired to live that he might do good, and yet he was perfectly resigned to death if God willed it. We who were present can never forget the morning devotions of the next day after I reached him. He had been placed in an arm chair, and as I read the 23d chapter of Revelation he became unspeakably happy. Tears of joy ran down his emaciated cheeks, and during the prayer and afterward, his responses were loud and fervent. After the prayer we sang–

Jesus, lover of my soul
Let me to thy bosom fly,
His soul seemed to be in a transport of joy.

A few days before this he seemed to have a vision of the spirit world. He said it was no imagination, that it was real, that he was able to see heaven in all its splendid magnificence and glory, and that the happiness of those in heaven was real. He was asked in regard to the suffering of the wicked. He said he could not say much about them, that he saw them very far away, and that they seemed to be getting farther away continually.

In him patience had a perfect work; no word of complaint fell from his lips during all his sickness. His heart was full of love and gratitude to his brother and the kind family that nursed him, and to his brethren and friends that visited him.

When I left him on Saturday morning I had some hope of his recovery; the indications were more favorable than they had been. On Sabbath and on Monday he seemed still to be improving, and on Monday evening his physician expressed himself very hopefully in regard to his recovery.

It was only a few hours after this, while troubled with a cough, that hemorrhage of the lungs occurred, and in a few minutes he fell asleep in Jesus.

His remains were taken to Fillmore, in Andrew county, Missouri, and were buried beside the wife of his youth. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. C. L. Vanderventer and the writer.

Henry H. Hedgpeth was no ordinary man. Sound in judgment, vigorous in intellect, with an exceedingly clear perception of the truth of God as revealed in the holy Scriptures, and a very large store of general knowledge, he was to the intelligent and attentive listener an exceedingly interesting preacher. Few men in the church were superior to him as an expounded of the word of God.

In theology and ecclesiastical polity, Bro. Hedgpeth was emphatically a Methodist. No one ever heard him, either publicly or privately, inveigh against the doctrine or discipline of that church of which he was an ordained minister. Bro. Hedgpeth was no idler, no croaker. Many difficult and laborious fields were assigned him; but with the cheerfulness of a man whose faith is in God, he occupied those fields, and during the sixteen years of his itinerant life no word of complaint ever fell from his lips.

The workmen cease from their labors, but the work goes on.

His father and three brothers reside in California; one brother, the one who nursed him in his sickness, resides in Missouri, and one sister resides in Kansas. His mother was in heaven ready to welcome him.

W. M. Rush

Hector, LeRoy (1890-1913)

Bather Dives to Death
Roy Hector, 22 years old, while bathing in One Hundred and Two river, near Savannah, dived and did not come up. He was rescued by Adolph Bishop and it was found he had struck some object and sustained concussion of the brain. He regained consciousness, but died three hours later.

Source: The King City Chronicle, 22 August 1913, p. 2

Hayes, Samuel M.

Date of Death: 18 Nov 1917
Subject: Samuel M. Hays
Source: St. Joseph Observer, 24 Nov 1917

Samuel M. Hays, a retired farmer, died suddenly at his home, 1407 North 10th street, Sunday. The remains were taken to Bolckow, his former home, for burial.

Hawkins, Albert G.

Date of Death: 6 Nov 1851
Subject: Albert G. Hawkins
Source: Savannah Sentinel, 8 Nov 1851

DIED-On Tuesday morning, the 6th inst.; at his residence in this county, suddenly of Neuralgia, Mr. Albert G. Hawkins, County Surveyor, aged about 45 years.

Mr. Hawkins was an old citizen of the county, highly esteemed by his acquaintances, and deservedly popular, and in his unexpected death the community loses a valuable citizen and an ‘honest man’-the noblest work of God.

He leaves a wife and five children, together with a large circle of connections and acquaintances, to mourn his irreparable loss.

Harvey, Mary (Noble)

Date of Death: 25 Feb 1907
Subject: Mary (Noble) Harvey
Source: Savannah Reporter, Feb 1907

Obituary- Grandma Harvy

Mary Noble was born at Lost Creek, Breathitt county, Kentucky, March 15, 1818, and died at her home, two and a half miles northeast of Amazonia, Feb. 23, 1907, aged 88 years, 11 months and 8 days. She was married to Andrew Harvy June 15, 1834. Of this union, eight children were born, two of whom and also her husband preceded her to the other shore. She has left behind to mourn her death six children, thirty-four grandchildren, seventy four great-grand-children and one great-great-grand-child. The family moved to Missouri in 1844, and have resided in Andrew county ever since. The last few years of her life have been spent in much weakness of body, but she retained her mental faculties clear and unimpaired to the very last, and was completely resigned to the will of God in regard to all her interests, both for time and eternity.

Her funeral was conducted by the pastor of the Amazonia M. E. church, of which she had been a member for a good many years. A great company of friends and relations were present to pay the last duties of respect to her remains, and she was buried by the side of her husband in Greenwich [sic] cemetery. A long life was spent and a peaceful end. Blessed are the dead which died in the Lord: they rest from their labors and their works do follow them.”

D. Cunningham

Source: Savannah Reporter, undated, abstract

Mary Harvey died southwest of Savannah, buried February 25 in Greenwich [sic] cemetery, aged 88 years, 11 months and 8 days. “Her husband, Richard [sic] Harvey, died several years ago.” Living near here are: Mrs. Van Richart, Mrs. Graves, Mrs. Bachman, Jake Harvey, and two daughters at home.

Harvey, Martha Marguerite

Date of Death: 27 Jul 1897
Subject: Martha Marguerite Harvey
Source: Savannah Reporter, 30 Jul 1897

Little Martha Marguerite, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Harvey, was born May 30, 1896. She died of whooping cough and cholera infantum on July 27, 1897, aged 1 year 1 month 27 days.

Harvey, George W.

Date of Death: 25 Dec 1905
Subject: George W. Harvey
Source: Savannah Reporter, 1905

George W. Harvey, a prominent citizen, and one of the early pioneers of Andrew county, died at his home in Amazonia at 3 a.m., Monday, December 25. He was 79 years old and had been somewhat feeble the last month or two. He had resided on a large farm near Amazonia until in November he moved to Amazonia, where he had completed a commodious residence.

Mr. Harvey served Andrew county as collector and was prominent in Masonic circles. The St. Joseph Masons and several from Savannah participated in the funeral services, which took place at 2 p.m., Wednesday. Rev. E. C. Morgan, of Jamesport, preached the funeral oration at the church.

Mr. Harvey married Miss Sarah Moser, daughter of Peter Moser, Sr. The following children were present at the funeral: Peter Harvey, of Hiawatha, Ks.; E. O. Harvey, of St. Joseph; L. T., Chester, Mrs. Richard Crowley, Mrs. J. W. Miner and Mrs. W. T. Rogers.

Hartt, Lewirah (Langford)

Date of Death: 5 Sep 1896
Subject: Lewirah (Langford) Hartt
Source: King City Chronicle, Sep 1896

Oliver Langford, Oscar Langford and Mrs. John Liggett, returned last Tuesday from Savannah, where they had been to attend the funeral of their sister, Mrs. J.B. Hart, who died Saturday, Sept. 5.

Hartman, Wesley

Date of Death: 16 Feb 1919
Subject: Wesley Hartman
Source: St. Joseph Observer, 22 Feb 1919

Wesley Hartman of Cosby, who killed George Riley, of the same place, a short time ago, killed himself by shooting Sunday night. He fired a bullet through his heart.