Obituary Sunday: James G. Gurwell (1834-1926)

From the Humboldt Union newspaper, February 18, 1926 --

OBITUARY--JAMES GURWELL

     James Gurwell passed away at his home near Williamstown, Kans., Sunday, February 14, 1926, at the age of 91 years, 11 months, and 19 days.  Funeral services were held at the home at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Elder White of Kansas City, Mo.  Internment was in the Williamstown cemetery.
     James Gurwell was born near Toledo, Ohio, March 26, 1834.  He was united in marriage to Miss Emily Jones in 1863 and was the father of thirteen children, nine of whom are living.  He was one of the oldest settlers of Doniphan county and was a successful farmer.  He was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather.
    Mr. Gurwell was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
    He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Mrs. Emily Gurwell; five sons: Jacob, who lives four miles west of Humboldt; Jim, of Orange, Cal.; Ralph, who resides three miles north of Humboldt; Dan and Ernest of near Williamstown; four daughters, Mrs. Ida Sollars, of Joplin, Mo.; Mrs. Elizabeth Martin, Humboldt; Mrs. Lou Carl and Mrs. Walter Bradofrd, of Lawrence.  All were present at the funeral except Jacob and Jim.  Mr. Gurwell also leaves thirty-six grandchildren, forty great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
     Mr. Gurwell was well known in Humboldt and his many friends extend their deepest sympathy to the family.

James Gurwell was my 2xg-grandfather.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and my Gurwells

Researching my family tree has brought two things to light regarding religion, the first I did know, the second I did not.

Neither of my parents were particularly religious, so we did not attend regularly, but when we did we went to the local branch of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  These are the followers of Joseph Smith whom after his death, followed his son and other members of the immediate family into northern Illinois then Missouri, instead of following Brigham Young to Utah.  The R.L.D.S. church is now officially known as The Community of Christ.  The R.L.D.S. church is the predominant religion of my mom's ancestors, it is behind both her parents. This is why what my maternal grandmother had always told us growing up was that "the R.L.D.S. is our family religion."

What I didn't know was the predominant church traditions behind my Dad.  Scatterings of Presbyterians, Catholics, Methodists.  But after you get behind my paternal grandparents, there is a huge population of Quakers!  About seventy percent.  This explains why the strong tradition of abolitionism, among other things.

Being a devout Christian myself, I am going to enjoy researching the religious side of my ancestors.  Here are the R.L.D.S. church membership records for my gg-grandparents James G. Gurwell (1834-1926) and his wife Emily Gurwell (nee. Jones, 1847-1935).  You will note James was married first to Mary Hobaugh.  They were living in Doniphan County, Kansas, and attending the Fanning branch of the R.L.D.S. church --

-- The Community of Christ archivist at their headquarters was very amiable and helpful.  She even included records that she thought were relevant although I had not requested them.  The cost was $15 an hour and 20-cents a copy, but almost never does a charge ever go over $20.  Rules are research is only done for records of members who have been deceased for eighteen years.  Requests can be by email, and remittance of payment is on the honor system.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker