Margaret J. (Murry) Shekelton-Sheckelton ~ born in Virginia
ANTIOCH CEMETERY
COOP’S GRAVE YARD
Refer to pages 83 – 91, Volume 1, JEFFERSON COUNTY RECORDS, for inscriptions on tombstones in Antioch Cemetery.
Iowa Sentinel
December 29, 1848
Page 3 column 2
Died – In this city, on the 19th inst., Mary, eldest daughter of Col. W. G. Coop, in the 19th year of her age.
Fairfield Daily Journal
Monday January 17, 1916
Page 3 column 3
OLD RESIDENT DIES… One of the older residents of Jefferson County, Mrs. Margaret J. Shekelton, passed away last night at eight o’clock at her home one mile north of Perlee…The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from the Antioch church in charge of Rev. Webber, and the remains will be interred in the cemetery nearby.Margaret J. Murry was born in Virginia, July 4, 1830, being at the time of her death 85 years, six months and twelve days old.When eight years of age her parents moved to this county where she has always resided.On April 1, 1852, she was united in marriage to Alexander Shekelton, who passed away 27 years ago.To this union were born three sons; Robert J. of Springfield, Ill., Geo. S. of Shelby Mont., and Grant of Perlee.
Fairfield Ledger
April 17, 1895
Page 3 column 5
A PIONEER GONE.Jacob Westenhaver, a Jefferson County pioneer settler, died in Penn Township Wednesday, in the eighty-fourth year of his age.Mr. W. was born in Berkeley County, West Va., and removed to Clark County, Ohio, in early manhood.He was married there to Elizabeth Simpson, in 1832, and they came to this county in 1847.Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Westenhaver, six of whom survive their parents and now reside in this county—Mrs. Permelia Bates, Mrs. Sarah Frazey, Mrs. Jane Hurd, O. M., M. and M. H. Westenhaver.Deceased was an excellent man and citizen…His remains were interred in the Antioch cemetery, near his old home in Penn Township, Friday…
Fairfield Daily Ledger
August 31, 1933
Page 8
OBITUARY.Mary R. Ankrom Coop, daughter of John and Hannah Francis Ankrom, was born July 22, 1843 at Fairfield, Iowa and passed away August 21, 1933, being, since July 22, in her 91st year.February 28, 1861, married Wm. H. Coop and became the mother of eight children:Elizabeth, Louise, Ellen, Frank, Anna, Lee, May and Bird.Her husband passed away in August, 1916 and two daughters and one son also preceded her in death.She is survived by three daughters and two sons.Last member of the Antioch Christian Church.She was the last member of her family, her twin sister, Sarah J. Keltner, having passed away June 16th last, but she is survived by five children, five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.Her death occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Gumma in Evergreen, Colo…Services were held Sunday at the Antioch church northeast of Fairfield….
Fairfield Tribune
Wednesday May 5, 1909
Page 3 column 3
PLEASANT PLAIN, May 3.Mrs. Grant Sheckelton died Tuesday morning after a lingering illness…She was the mother of four children, three having died in infancy, and one is left with the husband to mourn.Remains taken to Antioch for burial.
Fairfield Tribune
Wednesday October 4, 1905
Page 7 column 1
OBITUARY.Mrs. Levi Knerr died last Friday night at the home of her sister, near Perlee.She had benn in declining health for some time, and came in from her home at Denton, Montana, last July, arriving here on the 23rd of that month.But she continued to grow worse and her husband was sent for.He arrived here a week before she died.The funeral was held Sunday and she was buried in the Antioch cemetery near Perlee.Her maiden name was Lucy Blouvelt.She was married to Levi Knerr in Montana in 1898. –Brighton Enterprise, September 28.
Fairfield Tribune
Wednesday February 28, 1906
Page 2 column 5
DEATH OF GEORGE KYLE—Native of Scotland, born Nov. 11, 1816, and died at his home in Penn Township February 21, 1906.Grew to manhood in Scotland and spent some years in the Australian gold fields.He was married in Scotland to Janet Dunn.Wife and three children are left.Funeral services Thursday afternoon February 22nd at 2:30 o’clock at Antioch church and interment in the nearby cemetery.
Lockridge Herald
February 9, 1912
Page 1 column 2
Mrs. Elizabeth Coop Simmons was born in Macoupin County, Ill., March 28, 1833, and when two years of age came with her parents to Jefferson County, Iowa, where soon afterward her brother, William H. Coop, was born and he is well known as the first white child born in Jefferson County.Here she grew to womanhood.In 1852 she was married to Rufus Simmons, the wedding being solemnized by Charles David of this city.Eight children were born to the couple, one of whom died a number of years ago.The remaining children are—Joseph F. Simmons, residing near Perlee; William C. Simmons, Mrs. Nancy Spencer, *Mrs. ?. C. Carl and Mrs. Christy Jane Robinson all of this city; Mrs. Clara Bell Ramsey residing southeast of Birmingham, and Samuel G. Simmons who lives northeast of Fairfield.Besides her children, she is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Christena Gilbert, living northeast of Fairfield, and Mrs. Clarinda Henderson of Lincoln, Kansas, and three brothers, Samuel Coop of Billings, Mont., Lafayette Coop of near Perlee, and William H. Coop of this city.
*Could not be sure if it is suppose to be Mrs. C. C. Carl or Mrs. G. C. Carl, but it was one or the other.
Lockridge Herald
February 23, 1912
Page 4 column 4
The death of Mrs. Elizabeth Coop Simmons leaves onlythree persons who came to this country the first year of its settlement, Wm. H. Coop who was born that year, Ephriam Stout who came when three years old, andJoseph Kirk who also came when three years old.Mr. Wm. Washington Stewart came the second year of the county’s settlement when he was 14 years old, and in consequence is one of the best personal authorities on early days we have….
Fairfield Tribune
Wednesday March 22, 1905
Page 10 column 5
DEATH OF A PIONEER.In the death of David L. Coop, Jefferson County loses one of its earliest settlers.He was born in Illinois in 1830 and came to Iowa with his parents in 1836, being the eldest son of W. G. Coop and wife.He was married in 1852 to Malinda Burroughs.They were blessed with two children, Mrs. Arminda Lambert and Will L., both of this county, and with the aged mother remain to mourn….Mr. Coop.. arose Monday morning feeling unusually well and accompanied his son-in-law and little grandson to a timber to cut telephone poles.He cut one pole and fell dead…Mr. Coop was an unusually strong and vigorous man for his age and was an inveterate and untiring worker.Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Horton Spencer, a comrade of the deceased in boyhood days, and the remains laid to rest in Antioch cemetery.Mr. Coop was a unique character, a man of extraordinary constitution, a bib heart, and a most kind disposition…
Fairfield Tribune
Wednesday March 11, 1908
Page 9 column 4
BERT COOP DIES IN MONTANA.The Billings Gazette says:“The body of Bert Coop, a young rancher on the Huntley tract, who died Wednesday of typhoid fever, was buried on the young man’s ranch near Huntley yesterday and will probably be reinterred in the new cemetery at Huntley when it is platted.His father J. S. Coop, and a sister were notified of the serious condition of their son and brother early this week, but arrived from their homes in Iowa too late to see him alive…The young man’s father expects to make his home in this section.Deceased was 21 years of age and when he died, and came to this city from Ottumwa, Iowa, last January in search of a home, later taking up a farm unit on Huntley tract.He was a bright young man of many good qualities and made friends of all his neighbors.The death of Mr. Coop is believed to be the first visit the grim reaper has made to the new settlers on the Huntley tract.”
Fairfield Daily Journal
Saturday March 6, 1915
Page 2 column 4
Word has been received by relatives in this city of the death of Jefferson Samuel Coop which occurred in Billings, Mont., February 23rd…Born in this county in 1838 and was one of the best known of those who helped to develop the wilderness into what is now Jefferson County.Mr. Coop in company with I. D. Jones read law in the office of Judge Negus, but later gave up the study of law.He was a son of the Pioneer, W. G. Coop and is survived by two brothers, William and Lafe of this city, and two sisters, Mrs. Henderson of Lincoln and Mrs. Thomas Gilbert of Perlee.Mr. Coop was residing with his son Glen at the time of his death.D. B. Coop of Perlee is also a son.He had lived on a farm near Perlee until six years ago.He was twice married, about 35 years ago to Miss. Mary E. Funston of Perlee, a relative of Gen. Fred Funston, and she survives him.
Fairfield Daily Ledger
April 22, 1924
Nancy Ann Spencer, daughter of Rufus and Elizabeth Simmons, was one of 39 grandchildren of Col. Wm. G. Coop and was born in Jefferson County, Iowa, March 12, 1858.Died April 17, 1924.United in marriage to Wilson Alexander Picken, August 15, 1878.Died July 23, 1882 and left her with three small children, the youngest a baby in arms.These children survive:W. B. Picken, Greenbull, Wyoming; R. B. Picken, Jefferson County, Iowa; Mrs. Fannie McKee, Fairfield, Iowa, with whom she resided at the time of her death.On January 1, 1886, she was united in marriage to Eliphal G. Spencer and made their home on the farm until 1901 when they moved to Fairfield, where Mr. Spencer died January 14, 1921.She is survived by three brothers and two sisters; Joseph F. Simmons, William G. Simmons, Mrs. S. N. Carl, Mrs. Christa Robinson, all of Fairfield, Iowa, and S. C. Simmons, Jefferson County, Iowa…Remains laid to rest in Antioch cemetery by the side of her children’s father.
Fairfield Tribune
Wednesday July 26, 1899
Page 2 column 4
FROZEN TO DEATH IN ALASKA.Dr. Charles Chester DeFrance, for several years a prominent physician of East Des Moines, was frozen to death in Alaska on May 3d.Miss Jennie DeFrance, his sister, who lives at 415 Des Moines Street, received a letter telling of the death Saturday…”We buried the doctor on the ice next morning and pushed on; under the circumstances that was the only thing we could do.”He is survived by his father, Caldwell DeFrance of Des Moines, one brother, Albert DeFrance of Ottumwa, and three sisters, Mrs. Belle Davis, Miss Jennie DeFrance and Miss Lizzie DeFrance, of Des Moines.The doctor was born and lived here until about fourteen years aogo.His father, Caldwell DeFrance, owned a farm near Perlee, where the family lived until the town of Perlee was started, when they moved there and made their home until leaving the county…
Lockridge Herald
December 30, 1910
Page 1 column 1
CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY.Twenty-five years ago on the Coop farm near Perlee, Louis Easton and Miss Elizabeth Coop were married, the wedding being celebrated on December 21, and in honor of the anniversary the three daughters of the couple planned a very pleasant surprise for them last evening in the shape of an anniversary reception andparty.The oldest daughter, Miss Nellie, arrived home from Chicago, and Mr. Easton’s aged mother, Mrs. Charles Easton of Salina, came in to spend the day, and the Eastons did not suspect they were to entertain a larger company in the evening….
Fairfield Ledger
November 25, 1932
LOUIS EASTON, 70, life-long resident of Jefferson County, died at Ottawa City.Burial Antioch.Son of Chas. Easton.Married Elizabeth Coop December 31, 1885.Mrs. Easton died May 7, 1928 in this city.One son, Charles, died October 6, 1931.Children:Mrs. F. S. Black of Glendale, Calif., Clarinda Easton, of Santa Monica, Calif., Ada and Mrs. Clarence Slattery of Fairfield; Wm. L. Easton of Los Angeles.Leaves mother, Mrs. Julia Easton, and one sister, Mrs. H. W. Bush of Fairfield.
Fairfield Tribune
Wednesday February 27, 1901
Page 2 column 2
The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Easton, died in this city Saturday morning…Her age was one year and three months.Funeral services were held Monday morning at the home and burial was made in the afternoon at Antioch cemetery.
Fairfield Journal
Wednesday June 12, 1912
Page 1 column 1
LIFE OF THOMAS GILBERT…An old and highly respected citizen of this county died very suddenly of apoplexy at his home north of this city on Monday morning, June 3, 1912.Deceased was born July 12, 1834, in County Antrim, near Belfast, Ireland, and departed this life June 3, 1912, aged 77 years 10 months and 21 days.He came to this country in 1847, settling on a farm near Fairfield with his parents and had been a resident of this county ever since.He was united in marriage to Miss Christiana Coop of Penn Township, Jefferson County, Iowa, January 5, 1865.To this union were born six children, one of whom died in infancy.The wife and five children survive him—John L., William D., and Samuel T., all residing at or near the old home, also Mrs. Fred Flinspach northeast of Fairfield, and Mrs. Ed Flinspach northwest of Fairfield.He is survived by two brothers and two sisters.They are George of Holyoke, Colorado; John of Hammon, Okla.; Mrs. Nancy Ankrom of Seattle, Washington, and Mrs. Ross Pattison of this county…The funeral was held at the home Wednesday morning June 5th at 10 o’clock…and he was laid to rest in Antioch cemetery.
Fairfield Ledger
October 3, 1931
Page 6 column 4
Cynthia Coop passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. A. Flinspach, 501 ?. Court, at 7:30 o’clock last evening following an extended illness.Interment in Antioch cemetery.Mrs. Coop was preceded in death by her husband.She leaves the following children:Miss Myrtle Coop of Chicago; Mrs. Ida Thompson of Olin; Mrs. Olive Belville of Oelwein, A. L. Coop of North Main street, and Mrs. Flinspach.
Fairfield Ledger
October 7, 1931
OBITUARY…..Daughter of George and Mary Spencer, early settlers of Penn Township, born July 31, 1848.One brother, Eliphal G., and a half-brother George H., preceded her in death…September 4, 1867, married Lafayette Coop.Seven children-one, Nellie dying in infancy, and Jennie in young womanhood soon after forming a home of her own.The others, A. L. Coop of Fairfield, Mrs. Ollie Belville, of Oelwein, Mrs. D. W. Thompson of Olin, Mrs. G. A. Flinspach of Fairfield, and Myrtle Coop of Chicago, Ill.Nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Fairfield Ledger
Monday February 3, 1964
Page 5 column 3
COOP RITES HELD at 2 P. M. TODAY.Last rites were held at 2 p.m. today for Mrs. Fannie Coop, long-time resident of the Fairfield community who died Saturday at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. T. Keith Goltry, 604 N. Third.The services were held at the Antioch church with the Rev. Ted Dillow in charge.Burial was in the Antioch cemetery.
Mrs. Fannie Coop, 90, was born March 9, 1873, in Wilton Junction, Iowa, the daughter of William and Sarrah Scott Minister.She was married to William L. Coop on December 19, 1894.He passes away July 17, 1935.Mrs. Coop had been a resident of the Fairfield community for 75 years, and was a member of the Antioch church in the community where she and her husband lived for many years.She is survived by two sons, and a daughter, Harry W. Coop and Mrs. Goltry, both of Fairfield, and Walter A. Coop, Russell, Iowa.She is also survived by five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.Mrs. Coop was preceded in death by her husband, one sister and two brothers.
Fairfield Daily Journal
July 7, 1909
JUNE HISTORY.By H. Heaton….On the 11th at Ottumwa, Mr. Douglas Coop was married to Miss. Mary J. Moriarty, after a courtship of a quarter of a century.
Lockridge Herald
September 26, 1913
Page 1 column 3
Thomas J. Pringle died at Perlee; born Ohio March 28, 1833; buried at Antioch; leaves one son, Samuel.
“Portrait andBiographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa.” Pub. 1890, Chicago, Page 350.
GEORGE SPENCER was a native of Hartford, Conn., born September 29, 1793.Being left an orphan at a tender age, he was bound out to a blacksmith, with whom he worked until attaining his majority…Procured for himself a helpmate in the person of Miss Catherine Horton, whom he married on October 14, 1823.The lady was a native of Wayne County, N. Y.Some seven years later they removed to the Territory of Michigan, where Mr. Spencer opened up a new farm, and in 1839 became residents of Penn Township, Jefferson County, Iowa, where he made a claim of 240 acres of government land.Had made a comfortable home before his death, which occurred on 9th September 1861.His first wife had died January 16, 1829, and two years later he married Polly (Mary) Gillett, who survived him some twenty-two years.She was born in 1803, and died at the advanced age of 82.By the first marriage were born four children, but George H. Spencer, who was the youngest, is the only one now living.The others were: DeWitt, Cynthia Ann and Mary J.The children of the second marriage are:Elaphilet, of Penn Township, Cynthia J., now Mrs. Coop, of the same township…Baptist Church…He helped to lay out the city of Fairfield in 1839….
Jefferson County Marriages #208 – Mr. Peter A. Consaul (Counsal), age 25 years, and Miss. Syntha Ann Spencer, age 19; George Ruggles, J. P.Tombstone in Blue Point Cemetery, Section 4, Black Hawk Township; “Cynthia A., wife of P. Consel, Dau. of G. & C. Spencer, Died June 11, 1847, AE 21 years.”(Marriage #208 – 5 Nov. 1843)
Fulton’s “History of JeffersonCounty” Pub. 1912, Vol. 2, p. 77.
GUSTAVUS A. FLINSPACH, born in Buchanan Township 5 May 1873, son of Lawrence and Caroline (Schmetanigler) Flinspach; married 3 Oct. 1906, Miss Bertha Coop, who was born in Penn Township, Jefferson County, 13 Mar. 1877, daughter of Lafayette and Cynthia (Spencer) Coop.
Fairfield Ledger
June 20, 1894
Page 3 column 4
Annie E., wife of E. D. Davisson, died at her home near Perlee the 7th inst.Her remains were interred in Antioch cemetery, Penn township, two days later, Rev. Charles Coop conducting the funeral services.Mrs. Davisson was a daughter of the late Nathan Birkhimer, a pioneer settler of Jefferson County, and was the last survivor of the family living in this vicinity.All her life, unless it may have been a few or her earlier years, was spent in the community in which she died.She was fifty-one years of age, and was married thirty-five years ago.Mrs. Davisson was the mother of twelve children, six sons and six daughter, all of whom are now living…..
Jefferson County Republican
November 4, 1910
Page 1 column 3
GOLDEN WEDDING—October 28th, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Frazey of Penn Township early pioneers….John P. Frazey was born in Pennsylvania, May 23, 1835.Sarah C. Westenhaver was born in Ohio, October 30, 1836.Married October 28, 1860; resided on their farm 1 ½ miles N. E. of Perlee since 1863.Children: A. C. Frazey and Mrs. J. J. Kyle of Penn Township; A. V. Frazey of Fairfield and Maude Frazey of Burlington.Grandchildren: Verle, Delmer, and Ellis Frazey, and Wynona Kyle, Rena B. Kyle, Ellory H. Kyle, and Irma Kyle….
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iajeffer/http://www.rootsweb.com/~iajeffer/