obit for Decatur Stout Rees, born 1836 Ohio, died 1911 Kansas
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obit for Decatur Stout Rees, born 1836 Ohio, died 1911 Kansas
 cwhite02
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Posted: 21 Jun 2009 2:12AM GMT |
Classification: Obituary
Surnames: Rees, Duncan, Bower, Flint
Minneapolis Messenger, Ottawa County, Kansas, March 23, 1911, page 2:
Rees
The oldest surviving pioneer of Ottawa County was taken away last Sunday afternoon, when Decatur S. Rees died at battle Creek, Michigan, whither he had gone a month ago in hope of recovering his health. Mr. Rees had been suffering for a year past, but with the courage of the old settler and soldier he refused to give up until the last. His son Charles was with him at the sanitarium in Battle Creek and brought the body home. The funeral was held at the residence yesterday, and burial was in Highland cemetery.
Decatur Stout Rees was born in Preble county, Ohio, November 17, 1836. With his brothers Jacob G. and Franklin C. he came to Kansas in 1857, settling in Franklin county. Two years later, with his brother Frank he started out on the plains, working for Majors Russell and Waddell, Irwin Allen, and other firms engaged in transporting freight from Leavenworth and other Missouri river points to military points in New Mexico, Utah and other western states. The freighting was done by ox teams, and Mr. Rees served in every capacity from bull whacker to wagon master. His first trip to the Solomon Valley was made in 1862, on a trapping expedition. Two years later he settled in this county, and since that time the Reeses have been identified with the growth and development of the valley.
On March 24, 1872, Mr. Rees was married to Miss Phoebe Rebecca Duncan. Their children are Mrs. Harry Bower, of Fairview, Oklahoma; Charles D. Rees, Mrs. Jesse E. Flint and Edwin C. Rees of Minneapolis. Of eleven brothers and sisters, only three survive him: Captain J.G. Rees of Greeley, Kan., M.B. Rees of Cove, Ore., and Rear Admiral C.F. Rees, U.S.N., retired.
The funeral services were conducted by the Minneapolis Lodge of Masons, of which Mr. Rees was an honored member. Many Masons from the Bennington and Delphos lodges were in attendance. The ceremony was pronounced by J.S. Richards, master of the lodge, H.F. Jackman and A. F. Riddle, wardens. A choir composed of Mrs. Floyd Jordon, Misses Gladys Popham, Edna Murphy, Messrs. Charles brown and Frank Woods, sang three beautiful hymns. The pall bearers were Messrs. J.W. Smith, B.F. Markley, G.N. Billings, A.G. Johnson, F.E. Babcock and EKK. Raper. Profuse offerings of beautiful flowers gave testimony of the affection held for "Dick" by his neighbors and friends.
A procession of Masons led the way to Highland cemetery. There, after the burial service, in the Kansas sunlight that had shone upon him for fifty years, the body of Decatur S. Rees was laid to rest in the bosom of the land he had loved so well.
HIGHLAND CEMETERY OF MINNEAPOLIS
Rees D. S. 11/17/1836 3/19/1911 4 9
Rees
The oldest surviving pioneer of Ottawa County was taken away last Sunday afternoon, when Decatur S. Rees died at battle Creek, Michigan, whither he had gone a month ago in hope of recovering his health. Mr. Rees had been suffering for a year past, but with the courage of the old settler and soldier he refused to give up until the last. His son Charles was with him at the sanitarium in Battle Creek and brought the body home. The funeral was held at the residence yesterday, and burial was in Highland cemetery.
Decatur Stout Rees was born in Preble county, Ohio, November 17, 1836. With his brothers Jacob G. and Franklin C. he came to Kansas in 1857, settling in Franklin county. Two years later, with his brother Frank he started out on the plains, working for Majors Russell and Waddell, Irwin Allen, and other firms engaged in transporting freight from Leavenworth and other Missouri river points to military points in New Mexico, Utah and other western states. The freighting was done by ox teams, and Mr. Rees served in every capacity from bull whacker to wagon master. His first trip to the Solomon Valley was made in 1862, on a trapping expedition. Two years later he settled in this county, and since that time the Reeses have been identified with the growth and development of the valley.
On March 24, 1872, Mr. Rees was married to Miss Phoebe Rebecca Duncan. Their children are Mrs. Harry Bower, of Fairview, Oklahoma; Charles D. Rees, Mrs. Jesse E. Flint and Edwin C. Rees of Minneapolis. Of eleven brothers and sisters, only three survive him: Captain J.G. Rees of Greeley, Kan., M.B. Rees of Cove, Ore., and Rear Admiral C.F. Rees, U.S.N., retired.
The funeral services were conducted by the Minneapolis Lodge of Masons, of which Mr. Rees was an honored member. Many Masons from the Bennington and Delphos lodges were in attendance. The ceremony was pronounced by J.S. Richards, master of the lodge, H.F. Jackman and A. F. Riddle, wardens. A choir composed of Mrs. Floyd Jordon, Misses Gladys Popham, Edna Murphy, Messrs. Charles brown and Frank Woods, sang three beautiful hymns. The pall bearers were Messrs. J.W. Smith, B.F. Markley, G.N. Billings, A.G. Johnson, F.E. Babcock and EKK. Raper. Profuse offerings of beautiful flowers gave testimony of the affection held for "Dick" by his neighbors and friends.
A procession of Masons led the way to Highland cemetery. There, after the burial service, in the Kansas sunlight that had shone upon him for fifty years, the body of Decatur S. Rees was laid to rest in the bosom of the land he had loved so well.
HIGHLAND CEMETERY OF MINNEAPOLIS
Rees D. S. 11/17/1836 3/19/1911 4 9