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Descendants of Joseph Bemis

      3225. Simeon E.⁸ Bemis (Ebenezer⁷, Timothy⁶, Timothy⁵, John⁴, John³, John², Joseph¹)¹³⁹⁴⁵ was born 03 Nov 1839 in Malone, Franklin, New York¹³⁹⁴⁵, and died 22 Dec 1896 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ^13946,¹³⁹⁴⁷. He married Eliza M. Watkins¹³⁹⁴⁸ 13 Mar 1866 in Malone, Franklin, New York ¹³⁹⁴⁹, daughter of Asaph Watkins and Dianatha Prentice. She was born 02 Nov 1845 in Malone, Franklin, New York, and died 20 Apr 1925 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa.

Notes for Simeon E. Bemis:
"Another Old Soldier Gone", M. D. Bevan, The Estherville Democrat, Dec. 30, 1896.

Simeon E. Bemis Passes Peacefully Away, Sunday, Dec. 22nd.

Simeon E. Bemis was born Nov. 3d, 1839 at Malone, Franklin County, N.Y., and died in Estherville, Iowa, Dec. 22nd, 1896--aged fifty-seven years, one month and nineteen days. He was one of a family of twelve children, of whom three brothers and one sister survive. Simeon grew to manhood on the farm, attended district schools, and later took a course at Malone Academy.

September 28th, 1861, he enlisted in Company I. 16th Regiment, N. Y. Infantry, and served two years. He was in the army of the Patomac, and was in several of the severest battles of the war. After the battle of Antietam, he was removed to the hospital at Hagerstown, Maryland, where he was discharged for disability as unfit for further service. On returning home he spent a few days and came west in 1863. He engaged in business for about three years at High Forest and at East Chain Lakes, in Minn. In 1866 he came to Estherville, where he has since resided and continued in the mercantile business until a few months ago.

He was married in 1866 to Miss Elizabeth Watkins of his native town. The fruit of this marriage has been seven children, all of whom are living and present in the house, except one, Claud, the second child and first son, who died at two years of age. One of the very sad features of the last sickness of this affectionate father, is the fact that owing to other dangerous sickness in the house his own daughters that would gladly have been at his bedside to minister to his wants, and alleviate suffering, were denied this privilege.

Mr. Bemis was richly blessed in his family. He lived in and for his family. This home has been build at the expense of much time and money for himself and family. It seems sad that he was permitted to enjoy for only a few months with them what had cost him so much thought and labor. But he passed away with a good hope of a "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

Mr. Bemis has always been identified with the civic interests and societies of Estherville. In the past he was a prominent member of the Good Templar's lodge, and was honored with the highest offices in her gift. He has been actively connected with educational work, as a member and president of the school board. If rightly informed, he was a constituent and honored member of the Masonic Lodge, having charge of, and participating in those funeral services. He was also a constituent, and always an active honored member of M. A. Vandenburg G.A.R. post. He was its first commander and has been chosen and held the office for seven full terms. He has always been elected to, and filled some important office since the organization of the Post. According to the petition of the ritual, which he has repeated as Chaplin, he has been "transferred to the Grand Army Above, where God is the Supreme Commander." The religious life of Bro. Bemis, began about the time he attained his majority. When converted, he united with the Baptist Church of Malone, N. Y., where she who became the wife of his youth and whole life, was also a member. On entering the army he did not leave his religion at home nor "Hide his talent in a napkin." He was one of the very few young men that aided in keeping up a daily prayer meeting during his army life. He fought as a soldier of the Captain of his salvation as well as in the army of the Union. On last Sunday afternoon, when it became necessary for him, in view of the operation that was to be performed with the hope of saving his life, to be separated from his family, and the wife of over thirty years came to his bed-side to kiss the husband good-bye, he quietly remarked, "Good-bye; you go out into the kitchen and get the children together and you and Bro. Bevan pray while the operation is being performed." When his strength began to fail so fast during his last hours, and his wife spoke to him about the possibility of his end being near, he replied, "It is all right." He hoped that he would survive the disease and the operation, but the Heavenly Father willed otherwise.

In his own words, "It is all right." The funeral services were attended at his residence on Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 2 o'clock p.m. by the Masonic Lodge, the Grand Army Post, the Woman's Relief Corps, and a large concourse of sympathizing friends.
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"Simeon E. Bemis.... Soldier and citizen"

Simeon E. Bemis is a leading merchant of Estherville, Iowa, where he is engaged in the general mercantile business. He was the pioneer merchant of the place and made his location in 1866, at which time there were few houses and a government barracks. On coming to the village he at once opened a store, building for that purpose a small house twelve by twenty feet. This building which was of the most primitive character, was build hastily, the second and third days after our subject arrived, and being completed so that he occupied the building on the third day after his arrival. He brought his goods with him from East Chain Lakes, in Martin county, Minnesota, and since that time has been continually engaged in the mercantile business. He at once bought several lots, and invested quite largely from time to time in other property in the village and vicinity. His store is now twenty by forty feet in size and one and one-half stories high, located northwest of the public square.

The subject of our sketch is a native of Franklin county, New York, the date of his birth being November 3, 1839. His parents, Ebenezer and Ruth (Trumble) Bemis, were natives, respectively, of New Hampshire and Vermont. The father was a farmer throughout most of his life at Malone, Franklin county, New York, where he died in 1862. The mother died in 1887. They had a family of twelve children, six of whom are now living - Martha M., now Mrs. Grant; Harriet, now Mrs. Schoolcraft; Timothy A., Jonathan, Deloss L., and Simeon E., David, another son, was a soldier in the war and died at Salibury in 1863 as the result of exposure in the Andersonville prison, where he was confined for some time. Four of the sons - Timothy, Jonathan, Simeon and David, were in the Union army between 1861 and 1865. Jonathan and Simeon enlisted in 1861 in the Sixteenth New York Infantry, Timothy in the Ninety-eighth New York Infantry, and David in the One Hundred and Forty-second New York Infantry.

Simeon E. Bemis was reared on a farm in New York, attended the district schools, and later took a course at Malone Academy. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I, Sixteenth Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, and was in the Union army for two years serving the full time of his enlistment. He participated in the following named battles, in which his regiment was a part of the Army of the Potomac: Seven days fight in front of Richmond, second battle of Bull Run, Crampton's Pass, Antietam; after which battle our subject, being sick, was removed to the hospital at Hagerstown, Md. This ended Mr. Bemis' service, as his health failed and he was considered unfit for further duty in the field. During his war experience Mr. Bemis fought gallantly in the above sanguinary battles, and proved his loyalty and patriotism by offering his life and health as a sacrifice for his country's benefit. After being discharged he returned to his home in New York, remained a month and then came West in 1863, engaging in business at High Forest, Minnesota, and remained until 1866 engaged in the mercantile business. In the year just mentioned he came to Estherville and has made that his permanent home ever since. He has been operating a safe and honorable business, and has still a share of the trade of the county. He has also invested somewhat in farming lands, and owns a valuable farm of 312 acres at East Chain Lakes, has a fine farm of 110 acres adjoining the village of Estherville, 120 acres four miles east of the village, 320 acres in Ellsworth township, 120 acres in Center township, 146 acres southwest of the village and eighty acres in Dickinson county.

Mr. Bemis is a man of excellent character, both as a business man and as a citizen. He is a man of strong temperance principles, and was a prominent member of the Good Templars lodge, having held the highest office in the lodge of the village, and has at all times been actively connected with temperance work.
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[History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa, Vol. 1, Chicago, Illinois, The Pioneer Publishing Company, 1917, p.104]
Simeon E. Bemis came to Estherville in 1866. He was born in Franklin County, New York, November 3, 1839; was reared on a farm, and received his education in the Malone Academy. The presidential election of 1860 occurred on the 6th of November, just three days after he had reached his majority, and he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. When the call for troops came in April, 1861, he enlisted in the Sixteenth New York Infantry and served about two years, when he was discharged on account of the condition of his health. Upon receiving his discharge he decided to try his fortune in the West and went to Minnesota. Three years later he came to Estherville, bringing with him a small stock of goods. Finding no suitable room in which to open a store he had one erected in two days. It was not much of a building, being only 12 by 20 feet in dimensions and one story high, but this was the beginning of "Bemis' Store." His trade grew to such an extent that he soon build and occupied a room 20 by 40 feet and for many years thereafter he was one of Estherville's leading merchants. In 1885 he was elected mayor of the city and he also served for some time as president of the school board. He was at one time commander of Isaac Mattson Post, No. 365, Grand Army of the Republic.
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[Northern Vindicator:07/11/1884]
The organization of a post of the Grand Army of the Republic has been talked of for some little
time and now some 20 or 30 names are on the roll anxious ot organize, so it is hoped the matter will be a success.

Under instruction of Grand Master, C.T. Granger, B.B. VanSteenburg, of Spirit Lake, was sent here last Saturday evening to organize a Masonic order and install the following officers.......S.E. Bemis, Treas.

[Northern Vindicator:07/11/1884]
The old soldiers are daily expecting the proper person of organize a G.A.R. post. There are quite a large number of honorable veterans in the county and a good and respectable post will soon be organized. Following is a list of the charter members. (Among them S.E. Bemis)

Later....The post will be organized Wednesday Aug. 27th, 1884 at 4:30 p.m. Hon. E.J. Hartshorn of Emmetsburg mustering officer.

[Northern Vindicator:02/04/1892]
Last Saturday the G.A.R. installed the following officers: P.G., S.E. Bemis, S.V., D.W. Cleveland; I.V., John Johnson; Adjt., O.A. Salisbury; Chaplin, H.C. Coon; Surgeon, E.B. Myrick; I.M., J.M. Snyder; O.D., M.R. Lee; O.F., E.S. Wells; I.M.S., Oliver Burhow; S.M., J.W. Hill. Next meeting will be on Saturday Feb. 13th.

"Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) onetime American patriotic organization, composed of Union veterans of the American Civil War (1861-1865) It was founded in Decatur, IL., in April 1866 for the commemoration of dead comrades and the practice of fraternity and mutual assistance. The organization wielded considerable political influence, particularly in its support of presidential candidates between 1872 and 1904. The GAR instituted the observance of Memorial Day in 1868. "(Encarta Encyclopedia)

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[1870 Census - Iowa, Emmet, Estherville, July, 1870 - page 512 - image 17]
S. E. Bemis, 28, a merchant, and wife, Eliza, 21, keeping house, both born in New York. Also living in the household were: Carrie A. Bemis, 3 and C. W. Bemis (male), 1, both born in Iowa. In addition, Ruth R. Bemis, 60, born in Vermont (mother of S. E. Bemis).

[1880 Census - Estherville (All townships, District 77), Emmet, Iowa - June 10, 1880 - page 1 - image 1]
[Genealogy.com: Iowa, EMMET, Roll 338 Book 1, Page 514a]
Simeon E. Bemis, 39, general merchant, born in New York (parents in New Hampshire and Vermont);
Eliza M. Bemis, 32, wife, keeping house, born in New York (parents in New York);
Carrie E. Bemis, 13, daughter, at home, in school, born in Iowa (parents in New York);
Grace A. Bemis, 9, daughter, going to school, born in Iowa (parents in New York);
Eugenie Bemis, 6, daughter, at home, born in Iowa (parents in New York);
S. E. Bemis, 1, son, at home, born in Iowa (parents in New York).

[1885 Census [database online], Quigg, Gary, comp. Iowa State Census. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2003. Original data: See extended description for original data sources listed by county.] Township Number: 99; Range: 34; Location: Corner Des Moines Street and Sixth Street; Dwelling Number: 57; Family Number: 59; Page Number: 87; County: Emmet Co.; Township Name: Estherville; Town: Estherville; Family History Film: 1021466; Volume: 183; Line 15-21

Simeon E. Bemis, age 44 and wife Eliza M., 39, both born in New York. Also living in the household were Carrie A., 18; Grace A., 10; Elsie E., 8; Sidney E., 6 and Pearl, 4, all born in Emmet County, Iowa.
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[American Civil War Soldiers, found at Ancestry.com]
Simeon E Bemis
Service Record:
Enlisted as a Private on 28 September 1861 at the age of 22
Enlisted in Company I, 16th Infantry Regiment New York on 05 October 1861.
Transferred Company I, 16th Infantry Regiment New York on 11 May 1863
Transfered in 121st Infantry Regiment New York on 11 May 1863.
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[Civil War Pension Index, found at Ancestry.com]
Images Online #: 1533
State Filed: Iowa
Widow: Eliza M. Bemis

More About Simeon E. Bemis:
1860 Census: Malone, Franklin, New York ¹³⁹⁵⁰
1870 Census: Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁵¹
Burial: 23 Dec 1897, Eastside Cemetery, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ^13952,¹³⁹⁵³
Comment 1: Middle name may have been Ebenezer, it looks like Eber in the Family Bible....
Military service: Age, 22 years. Enlisted, September 28, 1861, at Malone; mustered in as private, Co. I, October 5, 1861, two serve two years; transferred, May 11, 1861, to One Hundred and Twenty-first New York Volunteers.¹³⁹⁵⁴

Notes for Eliza M. Watkins:
["Reminiscences of Early Days By A Pioneer Settler - Mrs. Eliza Bemis Writes First of Series of Historical Articles of Early Days in Emmet County", Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Iowa, August 13, 1924.]:

The first of a series of articles by pioneers of this county to appear from week to week in the Vindicator and Republican, is by Mrs. Eliza M. Bemis.

Mrs. Bemis, who is now 79, has lived in Emmet county since 1866, when she came here from New York with her husband, S. E. Bemis. They came here with Mr. Bemis' brother D. M. L. Bemis.

Mrs. Bemis has always been very active in affairs of the community, and expecially in the work of the Woman's Relief Corps, of which she is now president. She has a remarkable memory for her age, and though her health does not permit her to be so very active physically, her mind is in no way handicapped.

Mr. Bemis, who is now deceased, was a Civil War veteran, and brought his bride of twenty-one to this county where they reared a family of seven children. Before coming here from New York, however, they lived a short time in East Chain, Minnesota.

By Eliza M. Bemis

When we first came to Estherville, the year after the close of the Civil War, there was scarcely a dwelling house on the town site, in fact there was no town site. There was a fort, Fort Defiance, which had been built for protection against the Indians. Several families lived in the Fort.

There was a hotel, however, not far from the present Rock Island bridge. This was kept by Mr. Haskins and was known as the Haskins Hotel. Here we deposited our scant supply of dry-goods and groceries which we had brought with us to start a store. During that first summer, while building was going on, we conducted our store at the hotel but lived in a little house which the men had put up in a few days after we arrived.

There was one other store already here when we came. It was Fisher's store, a little grocery down by the river.

Our nearest railroad was Fort Dodge. Our mail came from there, brought by stage, once a week. Goods for the store were brought from Garden City, Mankato and Blue Earth, Minn. These had to be brought overland by team and wagon and it was several days' journey to any of these places. Then the goods must be purchased and the return journey made. It was no small task in those days to make the trip.

During the first summer quite a good deal of building was done. The old store building which was used to stand where the postoffice is now was one of the first one's built. The lumber was brought overland from Fort Dodge and Garden City, all except that used for interior finishing. That was sawed from native timber at the old saw mill down by the river. It was all black walnut, the shelves, counters and even the floor. Today that lumber could not be duplicated and if it could would be worth a small fortune.

Graves and McKay opened a store in a building where the Ford garage now stands.

The same summer brought a post office. It was a small building scarcely more than a shack, not far from the place where the Myhre & Jeglum store now is.
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[1900 Census - Iowa - Emmet - Estherville - (ED#77) - June 4, 1900 - page 3B - image 6]
Eliza M. Bemis, 55 (Nov. 1844), a land lady (owned residence), born in New York (parents in Vermont). She had seven children, six of whom were living. She had been married 35 years.

Also listed were daughter, Genie E., 24 (Mar. 1876); son, Earnest S(?)., 21 (Dec. 1878), a farmer; daughter Perl F., 18 (Dec. 1881), attending school; and daughter Hazel L., 13 (Mar. 1887), attending school. All were born in Iowa, parents in New York.
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[1907 City Directory for Estherville Iowa]
E. M. Bemis, widow, 1304 E. Des Moines;
Hazel Bemis, student, 1304 E. Des Moines;
Pearl Bemis, teacher, 1304 E. Des Moines.
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[1910 Census - Iowa - Emmet - Estherville (ED#88) - April 23, 1910 - page 10B - image 20]
Eliza M. Bemis, age unknown, born in New York, along with her daughters: Pearl F., 27 and Hazel L, 22, both born in Iowa. The listing shows that Eliza's parents were both born in Vermont.
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[The Estherville (Iowa) Enterprise, April 22, 1925]

Mrs. Simeon E. Bemis

After months of suffering death came to one of our beloved pioneer citizens, Mrs. Simeon E. Bemis, on last Monday morning at 3 o'clock. For months the family have been constantly by her side administering all the care the failing mother could ask. Miss Pearl resigned her position with a college at Tulsa, Oklahoma, to be with her mother. For the past six months she has been a sufferer and a patient sufferer.

Eliza M., daughter of Aseph and Diantha Watkins, was born November 2, 1845, in Malone, N.Y. She was united in marriage to Simeon E. Bemis on March 13, 1866. To this union there were seven children born. Carrie A., Claud W., Grace A., Eugene E., Sidney E., F. Perl, Hazel L. All are living with the exception of Claude who died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Bemis moved into this wilderness in 1866 and first resided near Chain Lakes and then at Chain Lakes and in the fall of 1866 they moved to Estherville, what little there was of it at that time and open up the first Mercantile store in this city. The building was a small one on the start and occupied the lot where our post office is now located. For years the family lived there and operated a store on that corner. As the business grew, the building was increased in size. In the early days Mrs. Bemis was among those who instituted a public library in for years the library was in front of the Bemis store, Mrs. Bemis assisted in taking care of it.

Mrs. Bemis was an active member in the Baptist church and a great worker and that church in the early days and until her declining years. She was a fine Christian woman. A great worker in the flesW. R. C. been many times its president.

Of later years she has occupied her beautiful home in the eastern portion of the city, two of her daughters, Miss Perl and Mrs. Hazel living with her.

The funeral services were held from the home this afternoon conducted by the Rev. Hurley of Stone Lake and the Rev. Huxford of this city. The remains were laid to rest in the family lot in the East Side cemetery.
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[Estherville (Iowa) Vindicator and Republican, April 22, 1925]

Mrs. Eliza M. Bemis

Mrs. Eliza M. Bemis who for many months has been in declining health, passed away at her home early Monday morning at the age of nearly 80 years. She had been cared for most tenderly during her illness by her daughters Miss Perl and Mrs. Hazel, and at the last all of her children were with her. Her mind remained unusually clear and unimpaired until the very last.

Mrs. Bemis was one of the very earliest pioneers of Estherville. Her husband, Simeon E. Bemis, was one of our pioneer merchants, his general merchandise store building remaining in its original site at the corner of Sixth and Des Moines street until it was replaced by the new Federal building. It was as a bride that Mrs. Bemis came here in 1866 and her family of six children were all born here and have resided here the greater part of their lives. Mrs. Sargent Beven, Mrs. Fred Brown, and the Misses Perl and Hazel make Estherville their home. Mrs. George Weir lives at Dunnell, Minn., and her son, Sidney Ernest, has but recently moved to Des Moines. Another son, Claude W., died in infancy.

In spite of a multitude of duties falling to a mother of a family of growing children, Mrs. Bemis kept in close touch with the religious and social life of this then pioneer community and in later years as long as her health would permit took an active part in the work of the W. R. C. and of the Baptist church of which she was a member.

Eliza M., daughter of Asa and Diantha Watkins, was born in New York state on Nov. 2, 1845 and was married on March 18, 1866 to Simeon E. Bemis. They moved to Center Chain, Minn., in the spring of that year and the same year moved....

More About Eliza M. Watkins:
Name 2: Elizabeth M. Watkins
Burial: Eastside Cemetery, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁵⁵
Residence: 1907, 1304 E. Des Moines, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁵⁶

More About Simeon Bemis and Eliza Watkins:
Marriage 1: 13 Mar 1866, Malone, Franklin, New York ¹³⁹⁵⁷
Marriage 2: 12 Mar 1866 ¹³⁹⁵⁸

Children of Simeon Bemis and Eliza Watkins are:

4953

Carrie A⁹ Bemis ¹³⁹⁵⁹, born 16 Dec 1866 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa¹³⁹⁵⁹; died 19 Oct 1958 in Dunnell, Minnesota. She married George A. Weir¹³⁹⁵⁹ 03 Sep 1891 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa; born 05 Jul 1867 in Ayr, Ontario, Canada¹³⁹⁵⁹; died 12 Mar 1948 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa¹³⁹⁵⁹.

Notes for Carrie A Bemis:
Obituary: Mrs. George Weir Dies

Mrs. George (Carrie) Weir, 91, lifetime resident of this area, died at 6 p.m. yesterday (She died Oct. 19, 1958) at her home in Dunnell. Death was due to infirmities of old age.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church in Estherville, the Rev. James K. Lyon officiating. Family services will be conducted at 1:45 p.m. at the Sternborg Funeral Home. Burial will be at Oak Hill cemetery.

Mrs. Weir was born Dec. 16, 1866, the daughter of Simeon and Eliza Bemis, pioneer residents of Estherville. She received her elementary education in local schools and also attended school at Malone, NY. She was formerly a school teacher in this area.

She was married Sept. 3, 1891, to George A. Weir who preceded her in death in 1948. The couple had moved to Dunnell about 30 years ago where Mr. Weir was for a number of years, manager of an elevator there.

A member of the local Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Weir was the oldest living member of it.

Survivors include five sons, Paul, Gene, and Donald all of Estherville, Lynn of Huntington, and Lee of Plainfield, Ill.; 12 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; one sister, Miss Hazel Bemis of Estherville; and a brother, Simeon Ernest Bemis* of Spirit Lake.

Friends may call at the Sternborg Funeral Home beginning tomorrow noon.

*Re: Carrie Bemis's brother, the paper made a mistake as her brothers name is Sidney.

More About Carrie A Bemis:
Burial: 22 Oct 1958, Oak Hill Cemetery, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa

Notes for George A. Weir:
[1910 Census - Iowa - Emmet County - ED#87 (Estherville) - April 29-30, 1910 - page 1B - image 2]:
George A. Weir, 42, born in Canada of Scotish descent, and his wife, Carrie A., 42, born in Iowa. His father and mother were born in Ireland and Scotland, respectively; while hers were born in New York. They had five sons: Paul B., 17; G. Lynn, 14; F. Eugene, 11; Donald, 8 and Lee Douglas, 3.
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"George A. Weir Dies; One of Pioneer Family"

Death has claimed another pioneer of Emmet County and southern Minnesota, George A. Weir of Dunnell, Minn. Mr. Weir passed away at Holy Family hospital early Friday morning after an illness of two months.

Mr. Weir was born in Canada on July 5, 1867. He came to Emmet County with his parents at the age of eleven months. He was reared and educated here and was a teacher in the rural schools for a time in the early days.

The Weir family was among the early members of the Presbyterian Church here and were active members during the early years.

He was united in marriage to Carrie A. Bemis, another of Estherville's oldest families, on Sept. 3, 1891. They resided here until 1921 and moved to Dunnell, Minn. where Mr. Weir was manager of an elevator. He was always active in any community work both here and at Dunnell. After retiring in 1941 he spent much time at a lake cabin where he enjoyed the out of door life.

He is survived by his widow and five sons, Paul, Lynn, Francis and Donald of this city, and Lee of Plainfield, Ill.....

Marriage Notes for Carrie Bemis and George Weir:
Estherville Democrat, Sept 3, 1891
This afternoon at 3 o'clock at the Baptist church occurs the marriage of Mr. George Weir and Miss Carrie Bemis. The contracting parties have a large acquaintance in Estherville and vicinity who will wish that happiness and prosperity may ever attend them. The bride's parents are Mr. and Mrs. S.E.
Bemis of Estherville and the groom's parents are Mr. and Mrs. David Weir of Emmet township.

Northern Vindicator Sept. 10, 1891
Thursday of last week occurred the marriage of two of Emmet county's most esteemed young people, Mr. George A. Weir and Miss Carrie A. Bemis. The wedding took place at the Baptist church in the presence of many friends. After the ceremony the guests partook of a delightful repast at the bride's home. The happy couple departed on the evening train for Winthrop, S.D. They expect to return this week and make Emmet county their home.

More About George Weir and Carrie Bemis:
Marriage 1: 03 Sep 1891, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa
Marriage 2: 03 Sep 1891, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa¹³⁹⁵⁹

4954

ii.

Claude W "Claudie" Bemis ¹³⁹⁶⁰, born 04 Feb 1869 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa; died 11 Apr 1871 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa¹³⁹⁶⁰.

More About Claude W "Claudie" Bemis:
Age at Death (Facts Pg): 2Y1M18D ¹³⁹⁶¹
Burial: Eastside Cemetery, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁶²

4955

iii.

Grace Agnes Bemis, born 03 Sep 1873 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa; died 21 Nov 1925 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa. She married Fred L Brown 14 Apr 1892 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa; born 06 Nov 1870 in Boone, Iowa; died 1949.

Notes for Grace Agnes Bemis:
"Passed Away Saturday After Long Sickness - Mrs. Fred L. Brown Called to Her Heavenly Home - Life-Long Resident Here - Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Bemis, Deceased - Born in Estherville Sept. 3, 1873", newspaper article, unknown newspaper.

Mrs. Grace A. Brown passed away at her home on east Lincoln street Saturday after an illness of five years. Funeral services were held yesterday at 1:30 at the Brown home and at 2:00 o'clock at the Bemis home, Rev. Hurley, of Storm Lake, and Rev. Huxford officiating. Interment was made in East Side Cemetery. Grace A. Bemis was born in Estherville in the old Bemis home that stood on the corner where the postoffice now stands, on September 3, 1873. Her education was received in the public schools and she was a member of the class of 1891, the first class to be graduated from the Estherville high school. On April 14, 1892, she was united in marriage with Fred L. Brown, and they continued to make their home in this city. Five children were born to this happy union. They are: Harry L. Brown, of LeMars; Perl E. (Mrs. C. O. Lindquist), of Fort Dodge; Bessie A. (Mrs. Floyd Coon), Clyde S. Brown and Miss Agnes Brown, all of Estherville. Besides her husband and children she leaves to mourn her passing, seven grandchildren, three sisters, Miss Hazel Bemis and Mrs. Sargent Bevan, of Estherville; Mrs. Geo. A. Weir, of Dunnell, and one brother, Sidney Bemis, of Des Moines. Her mother, Mrs. S. E. Bemis, and sister, Miss Perl Bemis, recently preceded her in death. Mrs. Brown was confined to her bed during her entire illness but all the time was patient and never complained of her suffering. A loving and devoted family gave her all the care and attention possible and helped make her sufferings as light as possible. Throughout her life long residence here Mrs. Brown has been active in the affairs of the community. Whenever called upon she was ready to offer her services and through her many kind acts and deeds made the friendship of hosts of people. Her home life was the most pleasant that any one could wish for and her family and home were always uppermost in her thoughts. She will be greatly missed in her home where her place can never be filled. The sympathy of many friends is extended the bereaved family and relatives in their hours of darkness and sorrow.

More About Fred Brown and Grace Bemis:
Marriage: 14 Apr 1892, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa

4956

iv.

Elsie Eugenia "Genie" Bemis ¹³⁹⁶³, born 23 Mar 1876 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa; died 22 Apr 1955 in Lake Park, IA. She married Sargent Bevan ¹³⁹⁶⁴ 06 Aug 1902 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁶⁵; born 15 May 1873 in Greenville, IL ¹³⁹⁶⁶; died 04 Mar 1949 in Spirit Lake, IA¹³⁹⁶⁶.

Notes for Elsie Eugenia "Genie" Bemis:
A report coming from Highmore, SD., to the effect that Mrs. Sargent Bevan came near loosing her life in a snow storm on Christmas Eve. A detailed account could not be secured but from what we could learn she started from Highmore to her home on a ranch, fifteen miles from that place, all alone with a team and carriage. A bad snow storm and blizzard came up and it became so blinding that she became lost and in wandering around came up to a small shanty occupied by a bachelor. Not wanting to stay there during the night she offered the fellow ten dollars if he would drive her to a place where she could stop. He refused to do this but gave her the direction in which to go and pointed to a light nearly a mile away whenre a family lived. She started in the direction of the light but before she reached there the light disappeared. She was then unfortunate enough to drive her team into a barb wire fence and in freeing themselves they also became detached from the buggy. This left her on the prairie in the buggy where she remained until six o'clock in the morning when she managed to crawl quite a distance to a farm house with her feet and limbs badly frozen. Dr. Alton, of Fort Dodge was sent for and on his return yesterday, he told several in this city that it was doubtful if her feet could be saved, as he thought amputation would certainly be necessary, although everything was being done to save them at the present time. This will be sad news to her many friends in this city where she is so well and favorably known. [Taken from Estherville Democrat, Dec. 31, 1902]
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Relatives and friends of Mrs. Sargent Bevan, in this city, will learn with regret that it has been found necessary to amputate both of her feet from the effects of being frozen the night she was lost in a snow storm near Highmore, SD., a short time ago. She is now in a hospital at Fort Dodge and Dr. Alton has told friends in this city that amputation is absolutely necessary. Her mother, Mrs. S.E. Bemis, of this city leaves tonight for Ft. Dodge to be with her during the operation. Mr. Bevan is also there. Mrs. Bevan's many friends in Estherville will hope and pray that some remedy may yet be found to save the frozen members from amputation. [Taken from Estherville Democrat Jan. 14, 1903]
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Obituary: Mrs. Sargent Bevan Died at Age of 79 Years

Elsie Eugenia, daughter of Simeon E. and Eliza Watkins Bemis was born in Estherville on March 23, 1876. Her girlhood was spent in Estherville except for one year she spent in Malone, New York, while attending school.
On Aug. 6, 1902 she was united in marriage to Sargent Bevan also of Estherville, and they made their home in Highmore, S.D., for a time and many years in Estherville.
Seven children were born to this union. One daughter passed away in 1927. Her husband died March 4, 1949.
Funeral services for Mrs. Sargent Bevan, who passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lee Fike on April 22, were held on Monday, April 25th at the First Baptist church of Spirit Lake of which she was a member. Services were conducted by the Rev. Virgil Peterson, pastor of the church, and burial was in Oakhill cemetery in Estherville beside her husband.
Special music was provided by Louis Obye of Estherville and by Mrs. Iva Slagle of Spirit Lake.
Pall bearers were six grandson: Jerry Young and Kenneth Inbody of Spirit Lake, Richard, James, Jon Egeland of Estherville and Donald Egeland of Ossian.
She leaves her six children, four daughters, Mrs. M.B. Spicer of Denver, Colo., Mrs. Jens S. Egeland of Estherville, Mrs. Lee Fike of Lake Park and Mrs. W.E. Young of Spirit Lake and 2 sons, B. Jack Bevan of Highland Park, Ill., and Robert M. Bevan, Seattle, Wash. 21 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. George Weir of Dunnell, Minn., and Miss Hazel Bemis of Estherville and one brother, S. Ernest Bemis of Spirit Lake.

More About Elsie Eugenia "Genie" Bemis:
Burial: 25 Apr 1955, Oak Hill Cemetery, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁶⁷

Notes for Sargent Bevan:
"Sargent Bevan Passed Away Friday", newspaper article, Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Sargent Bevan, retired lawyer, passed away Friday evening March 4, at 9:00 at the Marcus Snyder Memorial Hospital. He had been in ill health for about three years. At the time of his death Mr. Bevan and his wife were living at the home of their daughter and husband Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Young. The Bevan's occupied an upstairs apartment. Had Mr. Bevan lived until May 15, he would have reached the age of 75.

Sargent Bevan, son of Rev. and Mrs. M. D. Bevan, was born May 15, 1873 in Greenville, Ill. When a child he moved with his family to Atlantic, Iowa and then moved to Estherville, in 1893. After receiving a law degree from the University of Iowa in 1896, he practiced at Estherville. He was married August 6, 1902 to Genie Bemis of Estherville.

Shortly after their marriage the Bevan's moved to South Dakota and took up a homestead claim. In 1909 Mr. and Mrs. Bevan moved to Omaha, Nebr. wher he was employed by the street railway. They returned to Estherville in 1916 and the took up residence in Spirit Lake in 1937, where they lived since.

Mr. Bevan is survived by his widow, four daughters, Mrs. Anne Spicer of Denver, Mrs. Margaret Egeland of Estherville, Mrs. Imogene Fike of Lake Park, and Mrs. Hazel Young of Spirit Lake and two sons Jack of Highland Park, Ill., and Robert of Seward, Alaska......

More About Sargent Bevan:
Burial: Oak Hill Cemetery, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁶⁸

Marriage Notes for Elsie Bemis and Sargent Bevan:
Wedding from Northern Vindicator, Aug. 7, 1902

Bemis-Bevan
At 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. S.E. Bemis, took place the wedding of Miss E. Eugenie Bemis and Sargent Bevan. The ceremony was witnessed only by relatives, the wedding being a very quiet and unostentatious one.
Mr. and Mrs. Bevan leave in a short time for Highmore, S.D., where they will be at home to friends after Sept. 1, and where Mr. Bevan will engage in sheep farming.
Both bride and groom are among the leading young people of Estherville and all will join the Vindicator in wishing them all the good things in this life.

More About Sargent Bevan and Elsie Bemis:
Marriage: 06 Aug 1902, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁶⁹

4957

Sidney Ernest Bemis, born 04 Dec 1878 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁷⁰; died 1967. He married Bertha Jane Davis 04 Feb 1903 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁷¹; born 13 Dec 1883 in Streetor, Illinois; died 13 May 1976 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa.

Notes for Sidney Ernest Bemis:
[1910 Census - Iowa - Emmet County - ED#88 (Estherville Township) - May 2, 1910 - page 19A - image 37]:
S. Ernest Bemis, 31, born in Iowa and his wife, Bertha J., 26, born in Illinois. Also living in the household was a son, Simeon, 5, born in Iowa. Mr. Bemis' parents were both born in New York, while his wife's parents were born in England. They had been married 7 years. Also in the household was Cora M. Davis, 24, sister of Mrs. Bemis, born in Illinois.

More About Sidney Ernest Bemis:
Burial: Eastside Cemetery, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁷²

Notes for Bertha Jane Davis:
Mrs. Bertha Bemis

Service for Mrs. Bertha Bemis, 93, of Estherville were to be 2 p.m. today in Fuhrman Funeral Home at Estherville with bruial in Eastside Cemetery at Estherville.
Mrs. Bemis died Thursday in Good Samaritan Center at Estherville.
Born Bertha Jane Davis, Dec. 13, 1883 at Streeter, Ill., she was educated there, coming to Estherville at age 18.
She married Sidney Bemis Feb. 4, 1903 at Estherville.
In 1925, they moved to Des Moines and in later years lived at Harrisburg, SD. and Spirit Lake
Her husband died in 1967.
She has lived in Estherville at the Good Samaritan Center for the past five years.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Fred Horton of Eustis, Fla.; three grandchildren and ten
great grandchildren.

More About Bertha Jane Davis:
Burial: Eastside Cemetery, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁷³

Marriage Notes for Sidney Bemis and Bertha Davis:
Taken from Estherville Democrat Feb. 11, 1903
The marriage of Sidney E. Bemis to Bertha J. Davis, occurred at the home of the bride's parents, one mile west of town, Wednesday evening, Feb. 4th at 8:30 o'clock Rev. F.W. Ginn performing the ceremony. They will make their home on the farm south of the J.P. Littell farm. These young people are among the most popular in Estherville and their numerous friends will join with the Democrat in wishing them a long and happy life.

More About Sidney Bemis and Bertha Davis:
Marriage: 04 Feb 1903, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁷⁴

4958

vi.

Frances Pearl Bemis ¹³⁹⁷⁵, born 16 Dec 1881 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁷⁶; died 01 Sep 1925 in Rochester, Minnesota.

Notes for Frances Pearl Bemis:
[From the Vindicator and Republican]

Frances Perl Bemis was born on December 16, 1881, at Estherville in the old Bemis home on the corner of Des Moines and Sixth street, where the postoffice now stands. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Simeon E. Bemis, came to this county in 1866. They are both dead. She was a member of the Baptist church.

Miss Bemis received her common school and high school education at Estherville, graduating from the high school in 1898. She then attended the State University at Iowa City where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1902. She also took special work at the University of Columbia.

After receiving her education, she began one of the most brilliant and commendable careers as an instructor and director of education that has ever been known here. She taught at Oelwein, Iowa; Maxwell, Iowa; Tulsa, Oklahoma, and at Estherville, Iowa.

The records at these schools alone speak out her faithfulness to duty. She commanded the respect of her associates and students.

She began teaching in the Estherville high school in 1906, and in 1908 was made principal. She remained in that position until 1911 when she took special work for a year. She returned in 1912 and was principal of the high school until 1920.

For the past three years she has taught at Holland Hall, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She had taught there but a short time when she was elected head of that school and was acting in that capacity at the time of her death. Shortly before going to Rochester she returned from a two hundred mile automobile trip, after having completed her faculty for the school year.

At the time of her mother's last illness this spring, she was more active in caring for her than her health would permit, and probably exerted herself to a point which later resulted in her own death.

More About Frances Pearl Bemis:
Burial: Eastside Cemetery, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁷⁷
Census: 1885, The 1885 Online Census at Ancestry.com incorrectly lists her name as "Karl"¹³⁹⁷⁸
Residence: 1907, 1304 E. Des Moines, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁷⁹

4959

vii.

Hazel Loretta Bemis, born 26 Mar 1887 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ^13980,¹³⁹⁸¹; died 28 Jul 1966 in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa.

Notes for Hazel Loretta Bemis:
Hazel Bemis Dies at 79 [Taken from Estherville Daily News July 29, 1966]

Hazel L. Bemis, 79, lifetime resident of Estherville, died today at 1:05 a.m. at Holy Family Hospital. She was admitted to the hospital yesterday. Miss Bemis' death was attributed to cerebral hemorrhage.

She was born March 26, 1887, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simeon Bemis. She graduated from State U. of I. in Iowa City.

Miss Bemis' father operated one of the first general stores in Estherville. It was located on the present site of the Estherville Post Office.

She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church.

She is survived by brother Sidney Ernest Bemis of Spirit Lake, and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents and four sisters.

Funeral services will be Sat. 2 p.m. at Reese Henry Funeral Home. Rev. Denzel Neumann officiating. Burial at East Side Cemetery.

Friends call at the funeral home after 9 a.m. Friday until time of services.
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[1930 Census - Estherville, Emmet, Iowa - April, 1930 - page 15A - image 29]
Hazel L. Bemis, 42, born in Iowa (parents in New York), is listed as head of household, no occupation. Also listed in the household is a lodger, Anna C. Coehler, 39, born in Iowa (parents in Iowa). The real estate is valued at $15,000. Hazel and Anna Koehler, share the same graveplot and headstone.

More About Hazel Loretta Bemis:
1930 Census: Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁸²
Burial: 30 Jul 1966, Eastside Cemetery, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁸³
Residence: 1907, 1304 E. Des Moines, Estherville, Emmet, Iowa ¹³⁹⁸⁴

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