WILLIAM H. LINFOR OBITUARY
W. H. LINFOR IS DEAD AT AGE OF 81
Has Been a Resident of Walnut For
Fifty Years—Funeral Held at
2 p. m. Wednesday.
Funeral services for the late Wm. H. Linfor were conducted from the Presbyterian church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, his pastor Rev. Oliver Stephenson officiating. The services at the cemetery were taken in charge by the local I. O. O. F. lodge.
William Henry Linfor was born at Norfolk, England, April 25, 1841, and died at his late home in Walnut, Iowa after a very brief illness, February 18, 1923 at the age of 81 years, 9 months and 23 days.
He came to this country when a boy with his parents and located on a farm near Streator, Illinois. He was united in marriage February 22, 1865 [Feb. 21 per Illinois Marriage Index] with Sarah Jane Naugle. Three children were born to this union: Cora Storrs who died in Nov. 1921; William G. of Stuart, and Robert E. of Atlantic. His wife died January 11, 1875.
Later he was united in marriage with Miss Lodemia A. Taylor. Six children were born to this union, four of whom survive and are as follows: Chas. A. of Melbourne, Claude M. of Stuart, Mrs. Clara Johnstone [should be Johnston] of Grand Junction, Colo., and Alva A. of Clarion. The children who preceded their father in death were Mrs. Elsie A. Waldon who died Oct. 22, 1907, and Fredrick Louis who died in infancy.
The deceased came to Pottawattamie county in 1867 and located on a farm near Wheeler’s Grove. In 1872 [believe it was 1874] he came with his family to Walnut, which place, with the exception of a short time, continued to be his home till the time of his death. On coming to Walnut he engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He became well known to many as the engineer at the local mill. He faithfully discharged the duties in this position for 27 years. Recognition of Mr. Linfor’s sterling qualities was made in various ways. He had the honor of being the first mayor of Walnut having been elected to this office for three consecutive terms. He was Justice of the Peace from 75 to 81. He united with the Presbyterian church in 1889 and was an active worker and supporter till the time of his death. He will long be remembered as a ruling elder and Sunday School Superintendent for many years. One of the great privileges of his life was the opportunity that was his of attending the General Assembly as a commissioner from the Council Bluffs Presbytery at Des Moines last May.
He was a charter member of Moriah Lodge No. 327, I. O. O. F. and was honored by being chosen to fill all the offices of the subordinate lodge at various times. He served in the capacity of Chaplin for a number of years. He was also a member of Estella Rebekah Lodge No. 244. In the orders of which he was a member he will be long remembered as a loyal and faithful attender.
Besides the widow and surviving children, eighteen grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and one brother, Robert of Wichita, Kansas, mourn his death.
In the sudden going of Mr. Linfor all who knew him are constrained to pause and pay tribute to the memory of a just and good man. His name will remain as a blessed memory in the minds of many. And while we mourn we are also thankful that such a one was permitted to spend the greater part of his life in our midst. We thank our Heavenly Father that he has prepared a home where his children are freed from all bodily affliction and are forever at rest. (The Walnut Bureau, Thursday, February 22, 1923, p. 1)
KH