Alonzo Harker was born May 11, 1857 near Hope, Bartholomew County, Indiana and died Sept. 22, 1891, at his home 1236 North Court St., Ottumwa, Iowa.
He came to Ottumwa with his parents James and Xantippe Harker in 1876. He has lived in this city ever since except two years spent in Kansas. In 1877 he was baptized and received into membership of the First Baptist church of this city, of which church he has been a faithful member to the day of his death. October 16, 1879, he was married to Laura A. Bonwell, of Bartholomew County, IN, who, with two children, Harry B. and Ina P. are left to mourn his demise.
Funeral services were held at the house Thursday, September 24, conducted by his pastor, Rev. H. Williams, who preached from Matthew 26:39. On account of other relatives being expected the body was not laid away until Friday morning, when brief services were held at the house and closing services at the grave. He was laid to rest by the side of his little daughter, Opal J. who was buried three years ago. The church and the many friends sympathize with the mourning ones in this their great bereavement.
SECOND OBIT:
Died at his home on North Court Street at six o’clock in the evening, Mr. Alonzo Harker of typhoid fever. He was taken ill last Thursday morning and until yesterday hopes were entertained for his recovery but during the day he took a decided change for the worse and at six o’clock was dead.
The deceased was a native of Indiana and in 1876 came to Ottumwa where he has since lived. For seven years he has been assistant sexton at the cemetery, his father being sexton. He was a young an and had many friends. A wife and two children survive to mourn his loss. The funeral will occur at three o’clock.
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman
