John A. Howdeshell Obituary

After an illness extending over a period of ten years, John A. Howdeshell, died last Friday, October 2, 1908 in his 81st year.  Death was the result of a complication of disease.  He had been sick for a long time, but was not confined to his bed until a week prior to his death. He was born in Lincoln County, Missouri, February 5th, 1828, was married to Miss Elizabeth Phears, of Pike County, August 4th, 1853.  Eleven children were born to them, seven of whom, together with the widow, survive him.  The children now living are William, Levi, Charles, Joseph, Thomas, Mrs. Charles W. Barnes  (given name was Mary) and Mrs. Fannie Wombles.  The remains were buried Saturday morning in Elsberry Cemetery, following a song and prayer service at the grave, conducted by T. N. Mitchell.

Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Phears Obituary

Mrs. Elizabeth Howdeshell, 88, Survived by Sixty-Three Descendants.

The death of Mrs. Elizabeth Howdeshell, age 88 years, occurred Sunday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Fannie Wombles, following a gradual decline in health and one week’s critical illness.  Interment was made Monday in the city cemetery beside the grave of her late husband, John Howdeshell, who preceded her in death about twelve years ago.

Elizabeth Ann Phears Howdeshell was born March 11th, 1837, in northeast Missouri, and died July 12th, 1925, being four months past 88 years of age. She was married to John A. Howdeshell August 4th, 1853; and eleven children were born of  the union. Four children died in infancy and the two sons have died in recent years, Charles on May 11th, 1921, and Thomas on November 22nd, 1924. The five who survive are Mary, now Mrs. C. W. Barnes, of Elsberry, William of Fairview; Levi of Foley vicinity; Joseph of Mexico; Mrs. Fannie Wombles of Elsberry. There are also 28 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild living.

Mrs. Howdeshell made profession of faith in Christ under the preaching of Elder Maupin about 45 years ago and united with the Fairview Baptist church, later transferring her membership to Elsberry Baptist church.

In their early married life Mr. and Mrs. Howdeshell resided in the vicinity of Spencersburg on a farm. They later removed to West Prairie and after the marriage of their youngest child, Mrs. Wombles, came to this vicinity to reside. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Howdeshell made her home with Mrs. Wombles for several years and again for the past two years had been with this daughter. She was a quiet, unassuming woman, well beloved by those who knew her best and died in a living faith in the religion she professed. Funeral services were held at the home of Mrs. Wombles, Monday afternoon, Rev. J. S. Eames of Corso, officiating assisted by Rev. F. J. Yokley of Elsberry.

[I have a George Howdeshell died November 21st, 1866 age 5 years and 2 months and 14 days. Also Amos B. Howdeshell died December 19, 1871 age Six years and 15 days. George and Amos are 2 of the children that John and Elizabeth Howdeshell lost in infancy.]

 The children of John and Elizabeth Howdeshell were as following:

Mary Elizabeth Howdeshell -- Born June 7, 1854 -- Died July 24th, 1938 Mary was the oldest of 11 children.
William Howdeshell -- in 1857? -- Died July 1st, 1944
Levi Isaac Howdeshell -- Born December 19th, 1858 -- Died June 9th, 1944
George Howdeshell --  Born in 1861 -- Died November 21th, 1866
Charles L. Howdeshell -- Born October 18th, 1863 -- Died May 11th, 1921
Amos B. Howdeshell -- Born in 1865 -- Died December 19th, 1871
Joseph E. Howdeshell -- Born May 28th, 1868  -- Died in 1929
Thomas Howdeshell -- Born        -- Died November 22 1924
Sarah Fannie Howdeshell -- Born November 1st, 1870?

[I’m not sure about the year my Great-Grandmother was born, she died I think in 1955.  I don’t know where Thomas fit in the birth order. I do know Great-Grandmother Wombles was the youngest.]

Mrs.Charles W. Barnes Obituary ( Mary Howdeshell)

Mrs. Charles W. Barnes died about 7:30 p.m. Sunday following an illness of only four days with a complication of ailments, incident to the infirmities of age. She was in her 85th year.

Mrs. Barnes had been in failing health for some time, but did not take to her bed until Wednesday of  last week. Her decline was rapid and she gently fell into life’s last sleep early Sunday evening.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon in the Christian Church, conducted by Rev. B. H. Cleaver and interment was made in the family plot in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Mary Elizabeth Howdeshell, the oldest of 11 children born of the late John and Elizabeth Ann Howdeshell, was born near Spencersburg, Ralls County, Missouri on June 7th, 1854, and entered in rest in Elsberry on July 24th, 1938. Her exact age was 84 years, one month, and 17 days. In her early childhood, the family moved to Pike County, near Paynesville, and later to Lincoln County, in the vicinity of Hamburg Landing.

It was at the latter home that she became the wife of Charles W. Barnes, on March 9th, 1875. The 63 years of their married life was spent in this locality, most of it on the farm two miles northwest of Dameron. Four children were born of this union--Leona, now Mrs. W. W. Marling of Elsberry, and Roy, of near Annada. Bertha Kate and Vada each died at the age of eight years.

Mrs. Barnes and her husband united with the Christian church together, in a revival at Wright school house conducted by Dennis M. Grandfield and Jeptha Jeans, in 1885. They helped organize the congregation  that grew out of this revival, now called Linn Knoll.  With the destruction of their farm residence over 20 years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Barnes moved to Elsberry, placing their membership in the local church.

Mrs. Barnes retained her strength and vitality until she attained the age of 80 years or more. About that time there crept upon her the affliction of failing vision, and for about two years she endured almost complete blindness, unable to attend to even the simplest domestic duties, or to recognize her closest relatives and friends save by their voices.

Surviving are the Husband, the two children above named, a sister Mrs. Fannie Wombles, of Elsberry; two brothers, William Howdeshell, of near Truxton; Levi, of near Foley; three grandchildren, one great-grandchild and many relatives and friends.

Vada Elizabeth Barnes Obituary

Died at her home in Elsberry, Missouri April 10th, 1903, Vada Elizabeth, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Barnes.

Little Vada was the light and joy of her home; she was a kind and loving child, that was loved by all that know her. When an infant she was a sweet and loving joy to her family. At the age six, she entered the Elsberry School and was loved by all of her school mates. She was a bright, intelligent child and learned fast in her books, as well as at her Sunday school and the teachings of God. She was taught to be truthful and obedient to her parents, and was never known to tell a falsehood.

What a sorrow to give up such a darling; but God will take as well as give. What a treasure she will make in heaven amidst the angels. Weep not, dear parents, but  prepare to meet the loved one beyond the gates of heaven

Her remains were laid to rest in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, Sunday at 12:00, funeral services being conducted by Elder Reavis.

[Another article I found in Great-Grandmother Wombles bible was as follows:]

A SAD DEATH

Vada, the bright and pretty little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Barnes, passed from life unto death at the home of her parents Friday afternoon. She was taken ill with the measles some weeks ago which developed into pneumonia that culminated in her death. Little Vada was a remarkably bright child and possessed a most amiable and loving disposition. She was the idol of her fond parents and brother and sister and general favorite with all who knew her. She was a regular attendant at the Sunday school and the public school and was a special favorite with both teachers and pupils. Her ways and actions were far above one of her age, and she was kind and affectionate to every one. She never murmured nor complained during her illness but bore her sufferings with child-like grace. Everything that loving hands could do was done, but all to no purpose. Little Vada must die.

Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Barnes have the sympathy of all in the loss of this ray of sunshine and happiness from their home.

[Charles and Mary Barnes had 4 children

Leona Barnes
Roy Barnes
Bertha Barnes
Vada Barnes]

William Howdeshell Obituary

Mrs Della Schuster has returned from Truxton, where she was called recently by illness of father, William H. Howdeshell, who passed away Saturday, July 1st at the advanced age of 87 years. Funeral and burial services were held Monday. The deceased man was a brother of the late Levi Howdeshell, whose death occurred in Hannibal June 9th, 1944 at the age of 85 years.

[William Howdeshell had at least one daughter, Della Howdeshell.]

PASSING OF LEVI HOWDESHELL

Levi Isaac Howdeshell, a former resident of  Elsberry and Foley communities, died at his late home in Hannibal Friday June 9th, 1943, at the age of 85 years, 5 months, and 20 days. Funeral services were conducted Monday June 12th, 1943, from the South side Christian Church, Hannibal, by the Rev. W. E. Reavis, and interment followed in Grand View Burial Park. Mr Howdeshell was a member of the Christian Church in Foley.

He was the son of John and Elizabeth Phears Howdeshell, born December 19th, 1858, in Pike County. He was married December 10th, 1884, to Miss Ada Alice  Barnes, by who he is survived, with seven children born to the couple, as follows; Mrs. Pearl Guinn, Mrs. Nora Martin, Hurley and Clarence Howdeshell, Hannibal; Mrs. Jessie Bean, Mexico, Lloyd Howdeshell, Silex and Delmar Howdeshell Vandalia. There also remains a sister Mrs. Fannie Wombles of Elsberry; one brother, William Howdeshell of Truxton; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many other relatives, besides a number of friends. His consistent life had endeared him to all who knew him.

Out-of-town relatives who attended the funeral rites were Mrs. Fannie Wombles, Mrs. R. F. Norton and Gus Howdeshell, Elsberry; Mrs. Lottie Howdeshell, New
Hartford, Ill. Dr. and Mrs. J. R. Vaughn, Hamburg, Ill., A. O. Barnes, Mr and Mrs. R. S. Barnes, Annada; Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Guinn and daughter, of Verona, Wisconsin; Mr. and Mrs Lloyd Howdeshell.

[Levi and Ada Howdeshell had seven children.

Pearl Howdeshell
Nora Howdeshell
Hurley Howdeshell
Clarence Howdeshell
Jessie Howdeshell (girl)
Lloyd Howdeshell
Delmar Howdeshell

[My Great-Grandmother Fannie Wombles and her husband Joseph also lost a daughter Nettie. ( I don’t know much about Joseph, his daughter Elva, my grandmother didn’t talk about her father. I don’t know when Fannie and Joseph separated. All I do know is he wasn’t around to help raise my Dad.)]

Joseph  E. Howdeshell Obituary

J. E. Howdeshell, Accidentally hit by car, is killed

61 YEAR OLD RESIDENT OF MEXICO STRUCK WHILE CROSSING LIBERTY STREET, SATURDAY NIGHT AND DIES AT HOSPITAL WITHIN FEW HOURS
FROM  INJURIES.

Joseph E. Howdeshell, 61 year old Mexico resident, was accidentally killed Saturday night when he was struck by a motor car driven by Roy Knigge while crossing the street in front of the Shell service station on East Liberty Street, enroute to his home, 702 East Liberty Street.

Mr. Knigge was traveling west on the street in his Model T Ford touring car when the accident occurred. He stopped his car, which had knocked Mr. Howdeshell to the pavement, and with the assistance of Rudolph Green, filling station operator, and William Jordan, a passerby, placed the injured man in his car, taking him at once to the Audrain Hospital.

There Mr. Howdeshell was given first emergency treatment, his injuries including a fractured skull, be he passed away soon after 10:30 p.m. The accident had occurred about two hours previously.

A coroner’s jury, called by Dr. E. M. Brideford , Sunday afternoon, found the accident an unavoidable one and returned a verdict of accidental death.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Monday afternoon from the home, Rev Blake Smith, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiating, and burial was held at Laddonia.

Mr. Howdeshell was married on November 16, 1890 to Miss Anna E. Woodson, in Lincoln County, near the Fairview Church, and his devoted wife survives him. Two sons, Joe and Thomas, both of Mexico; two daughters, Mrs. J. W. Ryan of Sandoval, Ill., and Miss Helen Howdeshell of Mexico; two brothers, Levi and William of near Onley, Missouri and two sisters, Mrs. Fannie Wombles and Mrs. Mary Barnes of Elsberry, survive.

Mr. Howdeshell and family had resided in Mexico for 22 years.

The formal verdict returned by the jury, said the deceased came to his death “by an automobile accident, which was unavoidable on the part of the driver--at the corner of Cole and Liberty Streets, by a car driven by Roy Knigge.”

S.D. Byrns was foreman of the jury, of which B. M. Bush, W. R. Gorrell, R. H. Werner, C. R. Stevens and W. H. Sword were the other members.

Testimony was given by Rudolph Green, William Jordan and Nina Roberta Jordan, who were near the scene at the time of the accident, Dr. R. S. Williams, the attending physican. Roy Knigge, driver of the car and Charles Williams, negro, who was riding in the car. “I was coming up by the gas station, with my lights shining in spots (because of  fog), I saw cars parked on  the south side of the street. A man came out from behind the car, hit my lights and rolled over on the concrete. I stopped right quick and ran to him. His head was lying back of the wheel. I picked him up and drove to the hospital,” Mr. Knigge, employed at the east brick plant and World War I veteran, who deeply regretted the accident, testified. He estimated the speed of the car at from 10 to 12 miles an hour, and Charles Williams, riding with him, estimated it at from 8 to 10 miles an hour.

Dr.  R. S. Williams, giving medical testimony, attributed death to the fracture of the skull.

The Ledger joins friends of family in extending sympathy to the bereaved at his unfortunate death.

[Joseph and Anna had at least 4 children.

Joe Howdeshell
Thomas Howdeshell
Mrs. J. W. Ryan
Helen Howdeshell]

[Children of Joseph and Fannie (Howdeshell) Wombles.
 
Joseph and Fannie married December 22, 1883

Nettie A. Wombles -- Born October 3rd, 1890 -- Died January 6st, 1899.
Ruby Mary Wombles -- Born January 19th, 1893. My Aunt Ruby lived into her 90’s, she took care of herself almost to the end.
Elva Marie Wombles -- Born October 22nd, 1897. My Grandmother lived to be 85, she lived in a nursing home for several years after breaking a hip.

[At the time of Aunt Ruby’s and Grandmother Binkley (Elva Marie) I wasn’t into genealogy. So now when I get home to Missouri, I have something to do, if I can find the time.]

Joseph H. Wombles of Cuivre Twp. St. Charles, Missouri was Born in 1866 and married Sarah Fannie Howdeshell of Lincoln County, Missouri, born November 1st, 1870. They were married on December 22, 1889.

ASLEEP IN JESUS

Died Jan 6, 1899 of inflammatory rheumatism, after patiently suffering for two months, Nettie, the 8 year old daughter of Joseph and Fannie Wombles.

---- angel came on solemn night
Heaven’s glory to bestow,
And took our darling from our sight,
What could we, Lord, at morning light,
But weep and let her go?

How dark the day that followed,
That dreary night of pain;
Those eyes now closed and nevermore
To open here again.
Dear Lord, we said with broken hearts.

Grant we may love Thee more
For this new jewel in the crown, Where we had none before.
Oh, where shall human grief be stilled.

And joy for pain be given,
Where dwells the sunshine of a love
In which the soul may always rove;
A sweet voice answered “Heaven.”

Edward Francis Meyers, Sr. [my father]