Date of Death: 20 Mar 1897
Subject: Margaret (Barr) Cain
Source: unknown, Mar 1897

Died – Saturday, March 20th at about 2 o’clock P.M. at the home of her father, Boyd Barr, near this city, Mrs. A. J. Cain, aged 43 years and 3 days. The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church Monday afternoon at 1 o’clock, conducted by Rev. Cravens. The remains were interred in the Savannah cemetery.

Date of Death: 28 Jan 1905
Subject: Amy M. Cain
Source: unknown, [Feb] 1905

Amy M. Cain was born May the 11th, 1889 and died January the 28th, 1905, aged 15 years, 8 months and 17 days. She had been afflicted for some weeks with inflammatory rheumatism and suffered great agony for several days prior to her death. She united the the M. E. Church in August 1903 and had lived a faithful Christian to the end. She leaves a father, two sisters and four brothers in mourning. Amy was a good and kind girl and beloved by all who knew her. Her remains were interred in the Savannah cemetery, Monday by the side of her mother and sister who preceded her some years ago.

Date of Death: 29 May 1884
Subject: Ida B. Cagg
Source: The Democrat, 6 Jun 1884, p. 3, column 4

Cagg – Ida B., daughter of Isaac W. Cagg, by his first wife, and beloved by her step-mother, died at the residence of her father in Benton township, on Thursday morning, May 29, 1884, at 45 minutes past two o’clock, of brain fever, after a painful sickness of four weeks; aged 18 years, 5 months and 27 days. The last sixteen days she suffered the most excruciating pain in her head, and the last seven days she was unconscious. On Tuesday and Wednesday, May 20 and 21, in presence of her father, mother and sister, she said:

“Dear mother, you don’t know how to pray, but Jesus sent me to talk on the subject of religion and I never get tired of it, and I will teach you to pray. Now, mother, I want you to be faithful and meet me in Heaven, for I am going to die.” Her mother’s answer was: “I will, by the help of God, meet you in Heaven.”

“Now, mother, after I am gone I want you to tell my dear sister Hellen and my dear brother George to lead a better life than they are, and to meet me in Heaven. Yes, I had wandered from the Savior, but sought and found him; and such sweet feelings I had then, I never shall forget. The Savior blessed me, and now Jesus has sent me to talk to you. He teaches me to pray, to kneel at my bedside morning and evening and ask him to lead and guide my steps aright. I am so glad I gave my heart to God. I want to talk to all my friends and neighbers [sic] about Jesus, my blessed Savior.

“And now, my dear sister Sarah, I want to talk to you. Will you seek the blessed Jesus and be saved? You are a good sister, but your goodness will not save your dear soul unless you come to the Lord and be blessed, and pray him to keep you in his arms of love and mercy, where you will be forever blessed. Will you meet me in Heaven? The answer was “Yes.”

She talked to others on the subject of religion at the same time.

Thursday evening, May 22, 1884, Ida said to her father, “I dreamed I saw the angels, and my blessed Father was the sweetest one of all of them.” She said, “Blessed Jesus! blessed Jesus! Hallalujah [sic]!”

Dear sister Ida is in Heaven. Truthfully does the Bible say, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth saith the Spirit that they rest from their labors.”

The funeral services took place from her father’s residence, Thursday, May 30th, to Bennett Lane Cemetery, Rev. W. L. Powers officiating.

Sarah.

Date of Death: 18 Jan 1875
Subject: Benjamon Byers
Source: Andrew County Republican, 29 Jan 1875, p. 8

Obituary.
Monday, January 18th, 1875, at 1 p.m., of Pneumonia, Benny R., only son of William and Sophonia [sic] Byers, aged 15 months and 10 days.

Sweet angel child of heavenly birth, He was too good and pure for earth,
His spirit, like the soaring dove, Has winged its flight to realms above.
His pure spirit freed from clay, To God has winged its upward way,
And there ‘mid angels pure and bright, Has joined their songs in worlds of light.
And there amid that happy band, With crown of gold and harp in hand,
The sweetest music angels make, Will be the tune his harp will wake.

By Mrs. M. Byers

Date of Death: 30 Aug 1903
Subject: William E. Burtch
Source: Holt County Sentinel, 4 Sep 1903, p. 8

Dr. W. E. Burtch, who has been practicing medicine in Southeastern Holt for over a quarter of a century, while out, on his way to answer a sick call, was found dead in his buggy in Nodaway on Sunday last, August 30, 1903. No inquest was deemed necessary as his death was believed to have been from natural causes. He was 61 years of age and was a graduate of the Canada School of Medicine. He leaves a wife and five children. He was buried at Fillmore on Tuesday, September 1st.

Date of Death: 13 Sep 1913
Subject: Phillip Burns
Source: Savannah Reporter, 19 Sep 1913

Phillip Burns was born in Morgon [sic] county, Ind., January 28, 1836. He departed this life at his home three and one half miles northwest of Savannah September 13, 1913, aged seventy-seven years, nine months and fifteen days. He was married to Isabell Simmons, April 23, 1860. To this union ten children were born of whom five are living. Mrs. R. M. Faires, Mrs. J. F. Adkins, Mrs. W. J. Vaughn, Mrs. R. F. Davidson, Mrs. Rolla Hurst. They all reside in this county. He also leaves sixteen grandchildren and nine great grand-children. The deceased has one brother and one sister living in Savannah. In the year 1864 he united with the Methodist church. The funeral was conducted from the home by Rev. A. R. Hunt and interment was in the Bennet Lane cemetery. Mr. Burns’ father John Burns, was one of the early settlers here and was a very highly respected pioneer. He settled here sometime before 1854.

Date of Death: 11 Jul 1914
Subject: John Columbus Burns
Source: Savannah Reporter, 17 Jul 1914

John C. Burns Buried Monday

The funeral of John Columbus Burns was held at the M. E. Church, South, on Monday at 2:30 p.m. Mr. Burns was the son of John and Susanna Burns, and was born in Morgan county, Indiana, June 29, 1844, and died at his home in Savannah at 8:15 p.m., Saturday, July 11, aged seventy years and twelve days. He had suffered for many long and weary days from Bright’s disease but the end came calmly and peacefully. For many years he had been a citizen of this community and was well known and honored as an honest upright man. In June 1888, he was married to Mrs. Mahala Laney, who survives him. He was the step-grandfather of Mrs. Earl Henderson, who was raised from infancy by Mr. and Mrs. Burns. During the pastorate of Rev. S. W. Hayne Mr. Burns joined the M. E. Church, South, and was ever a faithful, loyal member. No higher honor can be given him that to say he was a Christian.

F. M.

Date of Death: 22 Jun 1866
Subject: Mary (Welch) Bryant
Source: Liberty [MO] Tribune, 29 Jun 1866

Died in Smithville, Clay county, on Friday, 22d of June, in the 24th year of her age, Mrs. Mary, wife of Richard G. Bryant. The deceased had resided only eight months in this place, and was a devoted and affectionate wife, admired and respected by all who knew her. The deceased was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was an exemplary Christian, and seemed perfectly resigned to her fate, relying confidently upon the romises of the Saviour made to his faithful followers. Her remains were taken to Savannah, Andrew county, for interment.

Date of Death: 7 Oct 1920
Subject: Susan Catherine (Wise) Clemmons Bruner
Source: The Beloit [KS] Daily Call, 18 Oct 1920, Monday, p. 2

Susie Catherine Wise was born at Louisville, Kentucky on October 17, 1870, and died near East Lake, Colorado, on October 7th, 1920, at the age of 49 years, 11 months and 23 days. She had gone to East Lake some four years ago in an effort to regain failing health but the battle was to no avail.

When about eleven years of age the deceased moved with her parents to Whitesville, Mo. There, in 1886, she was united in marriage to James J. Clemmons. To this union three children were born, they being: V. T. Clemmons, of Brighton, Colorado; Mrs. Vernia Gould, of near Cawker; and Mrs. Marie Carolus, of St. Joseph, Mo. The husband and father died on July 8, 1902.

On November 14th, 1906, Mrs. Clemmons was married to D. H. Bruner, and shortly after this the family moved to Beloit. To this union one son, Lawrence, was born. Aside from her children and five grand children, Mrs. Bruner leaves a mother, four sisters and four brothers to mourn her loss.

The deceased lady was a member of the East Lake Baptist church. She was a devoted Christian, a loving mother and a kind and good woman. All who knew her loved her. Short services over the remains were held on Saturday morning at Denver. After that the body was taken to Whitesville, Mo., where funeral services were held from the Baptist church. Interment was made in the family lot in the Whitesville cemetery.– Contributed.

Date of Death: 9 Aug 1875
Subject: Samuel Brown
Source: Andrew County Republican, 20 Aug 1875, p. 1

From Monroe Township. Two of Monroe’s oldest citizens were called away from this stage of action during last week,– Mrs. Duncan, an esteemed lady, and the venerated pioneer Mr. Samuel Brown.

Date of Death: 21 May 1906
Subject: Joseph C. Brooks
Source: Savannah Reporter, 25 May 1906- probably partial

Mr. Brooks came to Andrew County with his parents in 1857 from Rockcastle County, Ky. The family lived near Kodiak, Rochester Township. Mr. Brooks taught school for about eight years. While he was threshing, a serious injury resulted in the loss of his left September 5, 1882. During the same year he was elected Circuit Court Clerk. He held that position for eight years. He held various offices of trust and was a member of the Christian Church. His father was Judge James W. Brooks.

On May 21, 1906, Joseph C. Brooks took his own life, using a gun borrowed from William Clasbey. The train men on the noon Maple Leaf freight saw the body and told the section men who were down the track. They told the agent who notified the prosecuting attorney, Mr. Pyle, who found the unfolded note pinned to his vest and his coat buttoned over it.

Source: Holt County Sentinel, 25 May 1906, p. 5

J. C. Brooks, 63 [sic] years old, killed himself at Savannah, Monday, May 21st, by firing a shotgun with his cane. The aged man went to the city park about 3 o’clock and made all preparations to die. A shot was heard by a train crew in the neighborhood, and upon investigation, they found the old man dead. The entire upper portion of his head was blow off. He had seated himself on a bench, and, steadying the shotgun, he pulled [the] trigger with his cane. Mr. Brooks was twice circuit clerk of Andrew county. He was a cripple, having lost a leg many years ago. He leaves a wife, a daughter and a brother, all living near Savannah. The old man is said to have been despondent for some time past.

Date of Death: 28 Sep 1912
Subject: John Brewer
Source: unknown, [Oct] 1912

John Brewer was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1830. He passed away in death at his home 3 miles northeast of Bolckow, Mo., September 28, 1912, age 81 years, 11 mos. and 18 days.

In the year 1855 he was married to Elizabeth Rush, with whom he lived 3 years, when she was called away by death. One daughter was born to this union, Mrs. Mary Jane Savacool, who now resides in Iowa.

He was next married to Allie J. Hicks, who died in 1867. To this union there was born 3 sons and 3 daughters. One son and one daughter died in infancy. The two surviving sons are Joseph and John, both of Andrew County, and the daughters are Sarah E. and Rhoda E.

In 1870 he was again married, this time to Sarah A. Hutson, who with 4 sons born to them survives. These sons are Arthur of Nodaway County, Elsworth of Conrad, Montana, and Marcellus and Edgar of Andrew County. A daughter died in infancy.

Father Brewer obeyed the Gospel of Christ, at Bedford, Iowa in 1871 and continued in the faith to the end. For several years past he has held his membership in the Church of Christ, at Rosendale, Missouri. he was an honorable, upright citizen, industrious to a fault. For a number of years he was almost totally blind but instead of giving up in despair, he went about his business, being led by his little boy, until he finally recovered his sight.

Elder W. A. Chapman preached a brief funeral sermon, at the home, and interment was in Bolckow Cemetery, Bolckow, Missouri.

Date of Death: 16 Sep 1915
Subject: Celestina (Turpin) Breit
Source: Holt County Sentinel, 24 Sep 1915, p. 2

J. E. Breit, of Nodaway township, returned Saturday of last week, from Crown Hill church in Andrew county, Missouri, where he had been for several days, at the bedside of his mother, Mrs. Tina Breit, who died there, last week, the funeral taking place Saturday, September 18. She was 81 years old at the time of her death, and came to Andrew county, when 11 years old, and settled in Deakins school district of that county, where she continuously resided up to the time of her death. She was a member of the Christian church, and had been a consistent member for over a half century. She left six children to mourn her departure to the other shore, five sons and one daughter.

Date of Death: 16 Jan 1917
Subject: James Breckenridge
Source: Holt County Sentinel, 26 Jan 1917, p. 3

A resident of Andrew county since 1844, and of Savannah since 1884, James Breckenbridge [sic] died last Tuesday, aged 81.

Date of Death: 6 Nov 1871
Subject: Duffield Bradford
Source: Andrew County Republican, 8 Nov 1871, p. 3

From Dr. John M. Huffman of Whitesville, we learn of the death of Duff Bradford, Esq. one of the best citizens of that place– he went to bed in usual health on Sunday night; at about a quarter past one he awoke the family by his breathing. The family sent for Dr. Huffman, who dressed as soon as possible and went down, but when he arrived, Mr. Bradford was dead. The cause of his death was disease of the heart.

Date of death: 23 Dec 1922
Subject: Cyntha? (Reno) Bradbury
Source: St. Joseph News-Press, 25 Dec 1922, p. 6

Mrs. Miller Bradbury, thirty-two years old, a former resident of St. Joseph, died Saturday at her home in Kansas City. She is survived by her husband, four sisters, Mrs. L. W. Newland, Mrs. A. L. Casey, St. Joseph; Mrs. Lora Edelman, Bolckow, Mo., and Miss Sarah Reno, Rae [sic], Mo., and by three brothers, C. L. and K. C. [sic] Reno, St. Joseph and W. N. Reno, Rae, Mo. Burial was this afternoon at Whiteville [sic], Mo.

Interesting Reminiscences of an Old Pioneer

Within the past month or so, one of the original pioneer settlers of Andrew county, whose name heads this article, took up his residence in Savannah, with his son, Jeff. Boyles, having lived on the same piece of land, one mile south of Flag Springs, which he bought as a claim from the Government in 1841, until he came to Savannah, a few weeks ago. He is still cheerful and buoyant of spirits, and would be in excellent physical condition were it not for an accident he met with while riding in a stage, but a few years ago, which broke several ribs, dislocated his shoulder, and injured him to such an extent that it was thought he could not recover, but his iron constitution brought him through it. He is quite deaf, and suffers from a cancer on the neck, which he has had since 1845.
Continue reading →

Date of Death: 30 Jun 1873
Subject: Clayton M. Boyles
Source: Andrew County Republican, 11 Jul 1873, p. 3

On Monday, the 30th of June, Clayton M. Boyles, an aged, widely known and highly respected citizen of Andrew county, departed this life, surrounded by his family and numerous friends, being in the fifty-fourth year of his age. Deceased was one of the early settlers of the county, and all the old citizens in the county will regret to learn of the death of their old friend. He was born in Athens county, Ohio. In 1831 his father and family emigrated to Elkhart county, Indiana. Clayton came to this county in 1839, the balance of the family following in 1841 or 1842, since which time they have made it their permanent home. Clayton Boyles performed the journey from Indiana to this county on foot. He has been known as a most untiring worker, his industry being at times carried to severe extremes. Yet a warmer heart never pulsated beneath a manly breast than that of Clayton M. Boyles. He has been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church for a number of years, has reared a family of one son and four daughters, all of whom survive to mourn the loss of a beloved father. The father of the deceased, George Boyles, nearly eighty years of age, still lives, and was present at the death of his son. The family of the deceased have the sympathies of innumerable friends

same, “Correspondence”

Empire Prairie, Mo., July 6, 1873

Editor Republican– One of the oldest pioneers of Northwest Missouri is at rest. Clayton M. Boyles died at home, near Flag Springs, on Empire Prairie, Missouri, after a painful illness, and his remains were interred at two o’clock the 1st instant. Clayton M. Boyles was the son of George Boyles, who is still living, and is now nearly eighty years of age, and one of the oldest settlers of the Platte Purchase, Missouri. And as “Uncle George” has seen the many ups and downs and endured the many hardships of a pioneer’s life, he now sits down in his old days and enjoys the fruits of his honest toil, though he is bereaved by the death of his son. C. M. Boyles emigrated to the Platte Purchase a year or two before his father, nearly forty years ago, and settled on the farm where he lived so many years, and died. It is a beautiful place, in the heart of one of the richest countries in the West. Mr. Boyles came to this country a poor man; but, by his never ceasing energy and honest toil, he has accumulated a handsome fortune, he being one of the most wealthy farmers in this section of the country. Mr. Boyles leaves a wife and five children, four daughters and one son, all grown. In the death of Mr. Boyles, we lose one of our best citizens, a loving father, and a Christian. But it was God’s will that he should go. It is wrong for us to answer no.

B.

Date of Death: 23 Jan 1874
Subject: Alice (Christie) Boyles
Source: Andrew County Republican, 6 Feb 1874, p. 3

Died, at the residence of her uncle, William Caldwell, Esq., Savannah, Mo., January 23, 1873 [sic], Mrs. Alice Boyls [sic], aged 23 years.

That fatal malady which lulls its victim into a delusive tranquility, and feeds hope with the hectic flush on the cheek, marked the deceased for its own three years ago. It was only a few months since she lost all hope of recovery, but the realization of her true condition brought with it no unrest to her heart. She cheerfully resigned all her immortal interests into the safe-keeping of the Infinite Father, who doeth all things well. A year ago Mrs. Boyls came out on the Lord’s side. Her clear statement of the ground of her hope, was both cheering and conclusive evidence that she was one of the Savior’s dear flock, and was washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Death had no terrors for her, but came to bring her joy unspeakable. One hour of such comfort as she experienced while sweetly breathing out her young life, is worth incomparably more than a life-time of the world’s choicest pleasures. For such only, “to die is gain.”

Date of Death: 21 Mar 1921
Subject: Walter J. Bowman
Source: St. Joseph Observer, 26 Mar 1921

Walter J. Bowman, a well known Bolckow farmer, died at a local hospital Tuesday.

Date of Death: 25 Sep 1889
Subject: Casper Bowman
Source: Holt County Sentinel, 11 Oct 1889, p. 1

Casper Bowman died at Rosendale, Andrew county, Mo., a few days ago aged ninety [sic] years. He took up the claim on which he died, fifty years ago, and lived there continuously.

Date of Death: 17 Nov 1874
Subject: Abraham Bowman
Source: Andrew County Republican, 20 Nov 1874, p. 8

It is our unpleasant duty to record the death of an old and very highly respected citizen, Abram Bowman, who died at his residence, a half mile east of Savannah, on Tuesday night last, November 17, at 11 o’clock. Mr. Bowman was fifty-eight years of age, was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, where he was married to Miss Bowman, who still survives him. He removed to this county about thirty years ago, since which time he has steadily resided here. He was a member of the Savannah Lodge No. 71, A. F. and A. M., and also of Savannah Grange No. 330. Two brothers survive him, Judge Andrew Bowman and William Bowman. The father of the deceased is still alive in Kentucky. Six children– Maria, Emma, Fannie, George, Abram and Gist– are left to mourn the loss of a kind, generous and indulgent father. Deceased was buried according to Masonic rites by the members of his own lodge, and, although yesterday morning was extremely stormy and unpleasant, a large number of friends followed his remains to their last resting places in Savannah Cemetery.

Date of Death: 21 Jul 1910
Subject: Nancy Margaret (Huffaker) Bostwick
Source: unknown, Jul 1910

Nancy Margaret Huffaker-Bostwick was born July 19, 1851, died Sept.16, 1910, aged 59 years. She was married to William E. Bostwick Feb. 18, 1873. When a young girl she gave her life to Christ, uniting with the Christian church in Clay county. She united with the Mount Vernon Baptist church Oct 19, 1904, and was baptized the 27th by Rev. S. Riggs of Union Star. She lived a faithful Christian life. She leaves a husband and three children, Frank, Lizzie and Belle, and two grandchildren and five brothers with many kindred and friends to mourn her death. She was respected and loved by all who knew her for to know her was to love her. She was a kind and affectionate and faithful wife, a loving and devoted Christian. Her pastor and the church as well, will miss her much, but she will be missed more in the home by the bereaved husband and stricken children. The funeral was conducted by her pastor W. G. Ball, at Mount Vernon church; text Eccl. 7:10 and Phil. 1:21. “A good name is better than precious ointment and the day of death than the day of our birth.” “For me to live as Christ and to die is gain.” After which she was laid to rest in the beautiful Savannah cemetery. She rests from her labors for “Blessed are
the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.”

W. G. B.

1872-1875 Marriage Records from Book A, Andrew County, Missouri, transcribed and submitted by Monica Schirmer Eshelman.