Patterson Irrigator, 01/10/1914, p. 1

 

Sudden Death of Colony Resident

John Hughes Humphreys, a resident of the north end of the Patterson colony, died about 2 o’clock on the morning of Jan. 6^th, cerebral hemorrhage being the cause of death.  He first complained of being ill about 6 o’clock the evening before and went to bed with a pain in his head.  Shortly after 8 o’clock his condition was so much worse that a physician was called, but he grew worse and passed away early in the morning.

The deceased was a native on Minnesota, aged 55 years, 11 months and 6 days.  He had lived in California for the last thirty-three years, the last six months of which had been passed in the Patterson colony.  He left a widow and six small children, to whom his sudden, death is a terrible shock and loss.

The funeral services were held Thursday at the family residence, Rev. S. T. Palstine of the Presbyterian Church officiating.  The body was shipped to Los Angeles for interment, the necessary arrangements being made by Davis & Evans, the local undertakers.  The deceased and his family lived in Los Angles previous to coming to Patterson.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 01/17/1914, p. 1

 

Death of Mrs. Esther A. Rose

The  death is announced at Oakland last Wednesday of Mrs. Esther A. Rose,. an aged lady, lacking eight months of her ninetieth year. The deceased was the grandmother of Mrs. J. E. Newsome of Newman. also of Mrs. Carl Medlin, formerly Callie Rose, of Crows Landing.  She leaves many descendants of several generations.  The funeral services were held Friday at Oakland.  Newman Index, Jan. 13.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 01/24/1914, p. 1

 

Death Calls Well Known Physician

Dr. John. A. Stratton, one of the best known physicians on the West Side, died at Newman last Thursday, January 15th. The Newman Index gives the following brief summary of his life:

The deceased was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1857 at Mill River in that state, the son. of a physician. He came west, was, educated in Missouri, attending the Christian College at Canton, Mo., and at twenty-five graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and began the practice of medicine.

He came to California soon after, practicing five years at Los Gatos, after which he spent three years in Texas, then came to Newman, where he remained until 1899,. when he removed to Healdsburg, returning about five years later and remaining until his death..

Dr. Stratton had been married three times. The last union was not a happy one and was terminated by a separation a few years ago. Two sons by his last wife, Leland and Bertrand Stratton, survive him.”

The funeral services were held at Newman last Saturday, and the body was shipped to Oakland to be cremated in accordance with the desire of the decease expressed before his death.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 02/14/1914, p. 1

 

Death of Mrs. J. I. Graham

Mrs. Carrie Elizabeth Graham, wife of J.  I. Graham, died at the home of  her daughter, Mrs. Minnich, on South Fourth street; last Sunday morning, the cause of death being lobar pneumonia. She was 72 years, 4 months and 5 days old at the time of death, and had come here about a month ago from  Los Angeles.

The body was shipped to Los Angeles Monday by Davis & Evans, the  local undertakers, interment being in the Odd Fellows cemetery at that  place. The husband and daughter and a son who had come from Los Angeles accompanied the body to its last resting place.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 02/28/1914, p. 1

 

Death of Dr. Field’s Mother

Mrs. S. A.  Field, mother of Dr. A.  M. Field, died at 2 o’clock Monday at her home in Tulare. The funeral was held Wednesday.

Dr. Field was with his mother at the time of death, having been summoned to her bedside on Wednesday of last week.  He returned to his home in Patterson Thursday of this week.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 03/07/1914, p. 1

     

Death of Infant Daughter

Ruth, the year old daughter. of Mr. and Mrs. Percy Ruston, died at the home of her parents on the Studebaker place near the river last Sunday, March 1.  The funeral was held on  Monday, interment being in Grayson cemetery. Rev. R. L Vivian of the Methodist Church officiated.

Mrs. Ruston’s mother, Mrs. Harriet Moyer, and her son, came from Long Beach to attend the funeral, Long Beach being the former home of the Rustons.

 

Westside Index, 03,31,1914, p. 1

 

Death From Diphtheria Near Crows Landing

A two year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Sequiera. living half a mile out of Crows Landing. died Sunday morning of diphtheria.  The origin of the contagion is unknown.

The remains of the little one were buried privately the same day.

There are no other cases reported. and every precaution is being taken to avoid the spread of the disease.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 05/09/1914, p. 1

 

Death of Mrs. F. F. Freeman

Cornelia Freeman, wife of F. F. Freeman, now of Patterson, died last Sunday at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Gower of Fowler.  The funeral was held Wednesday.

Mrs. Freeman had been a hopeless invalid for many years, but the news of her death was received with sorrow by a number of her friends who lived here, and a quantity of beautiful flowers were sent for her funeral.

Mr. and Mrs. Freeman were residents of Fowler before Mr. Freeman bought property here and moved to Patterson.  One child was born to them, a son who is now about seven years old.

 

Westside Index, 03,31,1914, p. 1

 

Patterson Man Killed Fall from Windmill

Dropping eight feet from a windmill on which he was working, Harry A. Wilson, a plumber of Patterson, was instantly killed last Friday evening.  His neck was broken and his skull fractured in striking the framework of the windmill.

Wilson had been a Patterson resident for the past two years, coming there from San Jose.  He leaves a wife and five daughters.

A coroner’s inquest was held Saturday, a verdict of accidental death being rendered.  The remains were shipped to San Jose for burial.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 06/13/1914, p. 1 

 

Colony Resident Killed While Mowing

H.H. Russell of Patterson Colony was accidentally killed about 11 a. m. Thursday. He was mowing when the team ran away, throwing him from the machine. His feet caught on the mower ant he was dragged to death.

Deceased was a native of Vermont, and was 72 years of age. He leaves a widow, who is his second wife, and ten children, only one of whom, a daughter, resides here.. Mr. Russell owned a farm on Fruit Avenue and had lived here about two years. 

 

Patterson Irrigator, 07/04/1914, p.  3

 

B. O. Reese Passes Away This Week

B. O. Reese, father of S. B. Reese, of Patterson, passed peacefully away Tuesday afternoon at 4:15 o’clock, death coming from old, age.  The funeral services were held at the residence Wednesday afternoon at 1:30, the Rev. George Shurson of the Norwegian Church, officiating.  Davis and Evans had charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Reese was a native of Norway aged 80 years and six months, and came. to South Dakota in 1880, residing there for 25 years, after which he moved to Oregon, where he lived for nine years until last December, when he came here December 3 to make his home.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 07/14/1914, p. 1

 

Sudden Death of Lucy F. Hammond

Lucy F. Hammond, a sister of the late George Hammond of Patterson colony, died suddenly in Patterson last Saturday night, November 7th. She arrived on the 8:15 p. m. train and went to the Welty Hotel. She did not take a room at the hotel, but secured one outside, and shortly after retiring became so ill that Dr. A. M. Field was sent for.  She died, however, before the physician reached her, the post mortem held later showing that death was due to heart failure.

The body was taken in charge by Davis & Evans, the local undertakers, and the coroner notified.  No inquest was held, however, the autopsy performed by Dr. Field showing that death had been due to natural causes.

A will was found among Miss Hammond’s effects in which Mrs. A. E. Wylie of Sacramento was named as executor and also as a beneficiary under the will.  Mrs. Wylie was immediately notified of her friend’s death and came to Patterson to direct the disposal of the remains.  It was learned that, for the last four years the deceased had made her home with Mrs. Wylie.  She was a school teacher by profession, and had just closed her school at Yorkville, Mendocino county, coming direct to Patterson, as she had some business to transact here.  She had evidently intended to go East soon, as a ticket to Boston, Massachusetts, was found in her purse.

The deceased was 62 years and 9 months old at the time of her death.  Besides Dorothy and Donald; the two children of her brother, the late George Hammond, she  left one sister, Mrs. J. L. Norris, who resides at Lexington, Mass. The body was shipped to Woodstock, Vermont, for burial.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 07/18/1914, p. 1

 

M. Miller Kills a Man In Modesto

M. Miller. of Patterson, while driving an auto on Main street, Modesto, Thursday, ran over and killed an Italian saloon man named Vaccaro.  Miller had purchased the car that morning and was making his first trip alone.  Vaccaro was crossing the street and in some way not known at this writing was caught by the machine.  He was dragged twenty-five feet and the car went about fifty feet before it was stopped.  Vaccaro died a few minutes later at the hospital.

Miller was promptly arrested  and later released on two thousand dollars bond.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 07/18/1914, p. 1      

 

Torp L Johnson Passes Away

Tarp L. Johnson, the father of Louis J. Johnson, who died here last October, passed away at 2:30 on the  afternoon of Tuesday, July 14th.  Mr. Johnson had been living with his son’s widow on South Fifth street and had  been ill for some months.

The deceased was a native of Sweden, having been born at the town of Jerna Feb. 2, 1844.  He came to Patterson from Cokato, Minn., accompanying his son when the latter moved here about two years ago.  He leaves no near relatives, with the exception of his son’s widow and her little daughter Doris, but it is understood that there are some nieces and nephews living in the East and the old country.

The funeral arrangements were made by Davis & Evans, and services were held at Mrs. Johnson’s residence at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon.  The funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. 0. P. Anderson of the Swedish Church, and many people of the town. and colony who were acquainted with the family attended.  Interment was in Grayson cemetery.  The pall bears were: N. J. Frederickson, E. A. Thompson, A. P. Erickson, Lars Branstad, A. A. Beckman, and Thol Peterson.

 

Patterson Irrigator,  08/01/1914, p. 1

                 

Death of Pioneer West Side Woman

Sarah M. Edwards, mother of Mrs.  J. M. Kerr, died at Oakland last Sunday evening, July 26th, the result of a stroke of apoplexy which came upon her Saturday.  Mrs. Kerr went to Oakland Sunday morning, having been notified of her mother’s serious illness, and was at the bedside through the last hours.  Mr. Kerr joined his wife Monday evening, business here having prevented him from going with her.

The deceased leaves two children, Mrs. J. M. Kerr of Patterson and John Edwards of Mill Valley.  She was a widow, her husband having died some fifteen years ago.  She was one of the pioneers of the West Side, she and her husband having lived in the vicinity of Gustine for many years. She was 72 years old at the time of her death.

Funeral services were held at Oakland Tuesday, the body being cremated.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 08/08/1914, p. 1      

 

Martin Olson Dies After Operation

Martin Olson of Patterson who was operated upon at the Evans Hospital at Modesto on Tuesday of last week for gangrene of the heart died at 9 o’clock Thursday morning.  On the day following the operation he was reported to be doing very well, but from that time on began to fail rapidly, the disease having made such inroads upon his strength and vitality that he could not recover from the shock.  The body was taken to the undertaking parlors of Bowker & Wood where it was, kept until the arrival Monday of Mrs. Olson’s brother, C. L. Olson of Waverly, Nebraska, when it was shipped to Waverly for interment.

The deceased was a native of Sweden and was born January 31st, 1873.  He lived, for some time at Waverly, Neb., and has relatives there.  He purchased a farm in the north end of the Patterson colony some time ago, and came here Feb. 15th last to make this his permanent home.  His family consists of the widow,. Mrs. Emma Olson, and two children, Clarence aged 11, and Violet aged 5. They accompanied the body East and will not return to Patterson for about a. month.

 

Patterson Irrigator,  09/05/1914, p. 1 

 

Gus Heil Commits Suicide with Shotgun

Gus Heil, a young man employed by Thomas Lynam, the ice man, committed suicide Monday morning in the Lynam home on South Third street.  The. deed, which ended his life was presumed to have been done about 8 o’clock in the morning, but the body was not, discovered until 2 o’clock in the afternoon.  At the latter hour J. H. Durbin, Southern Pacific freight clerk, went to the house with some freight bills to collect, as Mr. Lynam was away on his vacation and Heil was temporarily in charge of the ice business.   A young man named Deckwa accompanied Mr. Durbiti, and the two, being unable to find Heil about the premises, finally looked into the house, the door of which was partly open. The man they were seeking was lying on the bed, and to their horror they discovered that he was dead and that there was a gaping gunshot wound in his left breast.  They immediately left the place to give the alarm, and meeting Deputy Constable Blue told him of what they had found.  Blue and others went to the house and the proper authorities were notified, and later on Deputy Coroner Davis of Newman took charge of the body until Coroner Bowker could hold an inquest.

The testimony given at the inquest, which  was held Tuesday forenoon, showed that Heil had used a pump shotgun with which to end his life, discharging the weapon by means of a stick.  He had evidently sat down on the bed, cocked the gun and then poked the trigger with the stick, this being indicated by the position of the body and gun and the fact that the stick was still grasped in his right hand. The gun used had been borrowed a short. time before from Joe Marchan, Heil saying at the time that he wanted it to shoot cottontails. Neil was fully dressed when found, and apparently the deed had been committed deliberately, although testimony given, by Joe Marchan showed that the deceased had been drinking claret more or less that morning, getting the wine at Mr. Marchan’s home.

Gus Hell was a native of South Dakota, aged a little over 27 years.  He came, to Patterson from Tracy about three months ago, and was for some time was employed by Thomas Lynam to drive the latter’s ice wagon. When Mr. Lynam left recently on his vacation Neil was put in charge of the business. While he drank some, he had a good reputation and was considered steady and reliable.  No reason for his suicide has been brought to light, and why he should have ended his life in such a manner is a mystery.

Besides a mother and father now living in South Dakota. the deceased left two half brothers, Albert Heil and Henry Heil, both residents of Tracy.  Albert Heil is an attorney and was formerly located here. The body was shipped to Tracy Tuesday evening by Davis & Evans, local undertakers, for burial.

The verdict of the coroner’s inquest was to the effect that the deceased had come to his death by a gunshot wound inflicted with suicidal intent.

 

Patterson Irrigator,  09/12/1914, p. 1 

 

Judge Walden of Newman Passes Away

T. E. Walden, for the last twelve years Justice of the Peace of Newman township, died at Newman last Saturday after an illness of some weeks.  An autopsy showed that the cause of death was cancer.

The remains were shipped to Oakland Sunday for cremation, the deceased having made a request that this be done.  A brief funeral service was held, at the Walden home before the body was taken to the deptot.

Thomas Edward Walden was a pioneer of the West Side.  He was born at Ashby, Pike county, Missouri, in January, 1850, and came to California in 1869. He located near Crows Landing and lived there until 1876, when he married Miss Alice Harmon of Hills Ferry and settled on a ranch on Crow creek.  In 1901 the couple moved to Newman and became permanently located there.

Judge Walden was nominated to succeed himself at the primary election and would have been reelected.

The deceased leaves a widow and  four grown children, all of whom were at his bedside at the end. The children are Mrs. Freda Harding of Crows Landing, Mrs. Mary Sillman of San Francisco, Mrs.  Kathryn Wade of Richmond and Marshal! Walden of Newman.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 10/03/1914, p. 4

 

Adolph Simensen Dies at Turlock

Adolph Simensen, constable of Turlock and Prohibition nominee for sheriff of Stanislaus county, died in his home in Turlock early Tuesday morning.  The cause of death was Bright’s disease complicated by lung trouble.

Mr. Simensen’s close friends realized some time ago that his condition was serious, and during the primary campaign much uneasiness was felt regarding his health.  It was hoped, however, that he would get better soon, but instead he gradually grew worse.

As the candidate of the drys, Simensen made a vigorous fight for the nomination for sheriff, there being four others in the race.  He received the second largest number of votes, and his name was to have gone on the ballot in opposition to T. F. Kiernan

Mr. Simensen was 38 years of age the 23rd of last month.  He was born in Wisconsin in 1876, later moving to Minnesota, where he was married to Miss Hilda Samuelson at Minneapolis  in 1901.  He came to Turlock about six years ago, at first engaging in ranching. After two years residence there he was elected to the office of constable and his term as a peace officer would have expired January 1st had he lived.  During his incumbency Mr. Simensen proved to be a conscientious public servant and made many friends throughout the country because of his devotion to his duty.

He is survived by his father, Ammond Simensen; his wife, Hilda; and a sister Mrs. Clara Wold, who is a missionary in China.

Mr. Simensen is said to have contracted ailments which finally resulted in the disease that caused his death, in the Philippines during the Spanish American war throughout which conflict he served as a private with the Ninth Dakota volunteers, one of the first regiments to be sent to the islands following the outbreak of the war.  The hardships which he endured undermined an otherwise strong constitution and while he was apparently healthy after returning to the United States, his condition was such that he was unable to withstand the ravages of the disease which finally resulted in his. demise.

Regarding the death of Mr. Simensen the Modesto News says editorially:

“The News takes this opportunity’to express its sympathy to the relatives and the many friends of Mr. Simensen.  He fought a good fight politically but his best fight was against the Grim Reaper.  He was a man against whom not even rumors detrimental to himself had ever been circulated and while it has always been our firm conviction he would not have been: elected to the office we know he has been making a good fight, doing all in his power  like the man he was to obtain the coveted goal, and in that effort winning the respect of political friends and foes alike.”

The Irrigator joins the News in sympathy to the relatives of the deceased.  Mr. Simensen’s funeral was held Thursday at Turlock.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 11/14/1914, p. 1

 

Manuel Rogers Killed by Auto

Manuel Rogers, a well known West Side farmer whose home was in the hills just west of Patterson, died at the West Side Sanatarium in Newman Wednesday about one o’clock p. m., from the effects of injuries received Monday when his auto turned turtle with him near Crows Landing.

Mr. Rogers had been to Newman and was returning home alone about five o’clock in the evening,  He speeded up when he left Crows Landing, and was traveling at a fast clip when he struck the curve just north of town, where the county road turns toward the railroad.  In some manner he failed to make the turn properly and the machine went into the ditch turning completely over.

A passing autoist picked Mr. Rogers up later and he was taken to the West Side Sanatarium at Newman for treatment. There it was found that he had received several gashes on the head and was badly bruised about the legs, but apparently no bones were broken.  He complained, however, of his stomach, and it was suspected that he had suffered serious internal injuries. This latter proved to be the case, for while he rested comparatively easy Tuesday and Wednesday morning, he suddenly collapsed and died about 1 o’clock Wednesday afternoon.

Manuel Rogers was aged about 60 years and had lived in this section for twenty years or so.  He leaves a wife and four children, the family residing in Oakland.  The body was shipped to Oakland for burial.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 10/17/1914, p. 1

 

Harmon W. Dreyer Passes Away

Harmon W. Dreyer, who for the last year or so lived on a farm in the  northern part of the colony, died at his home on Friday evening of last week at about 9 o’clock .

The body was taken charge of by Davis & Evans, the local undertakers, and the funeral was held Monday forenoon in their chapel, Rev. S. T. Palstine of the Presbyterian Church officiating.  Interment was in the Newman cemetery.

The deceased left no children but is survived by his wife.  A son of Mrs. Dryer by a former marriage, J. V. Bird of Corona, Cal., attended the funeral.

The family came to California from the East, and before locating in Patterson lived for some time at Whittier in Southern California.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 10/17/1914, p.  4

 

Death of Infant

The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Busengdal who live in the north end of the colony, died last Saturday night. 

The father was in the southern part of the state at the time, and did not reach home until Tuesday.  Funeral services were held in the Lutheran Church on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., Rev. George Shurson conducting the services.  Davis & Evans had charge of the funeral arrangements, and interment was in Newman cemetery.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 12/05/1914, p. 1

 

Father. of. Local Man Dies at Turlock

William T. H. Deckwa, a well known rancher of this district, died Saturday at his home one mile west of Delhi. station, dropsy being the cause of his demise, says the Turlock Tribune.

Deceased was a native of Germany and was aged 69 years, 2 months and 16 days.  He came here with his family about two years ago from Kansas, where he had been engaged in farming for a number of years.  His wife died shortly after their arrival in California.

Deceased is survived by two sons, Henry Deckwa of Livingston Carl Deckwa of Patterson; and two daughters, Mrs. Charles Lang who resides at the home place at Delhi, and Mrs. Herman Hartz of Vassar, Kansas; also a brother, Theodore Deckwa and sister, Mrs. Mussehmann. both of  Delhi.  There are numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren residing in this vicinity.

The funeral took place Monday afternoon from the Methodist church Rev. Burton Hamlin of  Livingston officiating; internment in the Turlock cemetery under the direction of G. S. Wright.

 

Patterson Irrigator, 12/26/1914, p. 1

 

Pioneer T. C. Yancey Has Crossed Divide

T G. Yancey a pioneer of the West Side and, one of the best known and best liked business men of this section, died of pneumonia on Friday, the 18th instant, at his home in Newman.  He was a little over 75 years of age at the of his death. Surviving relatives are his widow, Sarah Handy Yancey, his son John, who for some years has been the active manager of the Yancey Lumber business, and three daughters, Mrs. Humphreys of Oakland, Mrs. Smith of Stockton and Miss Jean Yancey of Newman. There are more distant relatives living in the East.

The funeral was held at Newman Sunday and despite the bad weather was largely attended, many mourners coming from distant points.  The service was held at the family residence by Dr. Breeze of the Presbyterian Church, the funeral being under the auspices of Hills Ferry Lodge, F. and A. M., of which the deceased was an old member.

Thomas Grayson Yancey was a native of Barren county, Kentucky, and came to California at the close of the Civil War. He engaged in school teaching in Amador county, but later took a position in the Gray & Hickman general store at Stockton.

In 1868, says the Newman Index, Mr. Yancey opened a general store at old Grayson, then quite an important trading point, and a little later removed to Hills Ferry, Newman’s fore runner, where with R. M. Wilson he conducted the principal store, and was instrumental in securing the first star route mail service from Banta.  The post office and the express office were both in this old store.  The first stock of lumber was also put in as a “side line.”

Selling out this business, Mr. Yancey became interested in sheep ranching and was also with Gray & Hickman for a time before returning to the lumber business, which he did in 1881, as genera! manager of the San  Joaquin Lumber Co., a large concern controlling a dozen or more yards in different towns, with headquarters in Modesto.  He managed this company about ten years, and at its dissolution in 1891, took the Newman yard and located here, where he has remained

Under his management the business expanded to a large corporation, capitalized at $20,000, but worth several times that amount, of which the stock is held entirely by the family.  Yards are located at Newman, Crows Landing and Patterson. Besides this business, Mr. Yancey had real estate and other investments and was probably worth $150,000, more or less.