Patterson Cemetery District 

Obits listing for 1917

Submitted by Gale Stroud 23 Aug 2007

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Alamada Joe 170623 p1
Pneumonia Takes Son of Mr. and Mrs. Alamada;  Joe Alamada, the young son of Mr. and Mrs. Vital Alamada, died
Tuesday night, June 19th, the cause of death being pneumonia. The child was born August 28, 1916. The funeral services
were held at the Catholic church in Newman on Thursday, the arrangements being made by Davis & Evans, the local
undertakers.

Anderson Neils K 170714 p1a
Anderson Was Murdered Not Accidently Shot;  Mexican Slayer and One Companion Were Captured and Came Very
Near Being Lynched– Anderson Buried at Oakland Monday:
Neils K. Anderson, who was killed at Tracy on Thursday evening of last week, was murdered and not accidentally shot.
The report published in the Irrigator to the effect that Anderson fell a victim to a bullet intended for another was the
report brought to Patterson by Tracy men shortly after the shooting, and as the news copy for. that week s issue of the
Irrigator had already been sent in the matter was briefly covered by wire according to the story told here. After the paper
had gone to press a fuller and quite different report was received. Following is the story of the Anderson murder as given
by the Tracy Press: "Another white man gave up his life in Tracy Thursday evening at the hands of the Mexicans from
the south side of the track, making three that have been killed in the past two years. Neils K. Anderson superintendent of
the Mineral Products  Company of Patterson, was the victim this time of the Mexican s bullet. Anderson. with his wife
and two children, were passing through Tracy and had stopped at Schmidt s brewery to take a case of beer to a friend.
Being old acquaintances of the Schmidt. family they stayed and visited a few hours. While they were in the house three
Mexicans came to the side gate leading into the beer cellar and began a disturbance. They wanted beer, and already being
under the influence of liquor, it was refused them. They were put outside the gate and told to go along, but one of them,
more quarrelsome than his pals, pulled a knife and showed fight. Young Henry Schmidt grabbed the fellow before he
could use his weapon but he drew a large 44 revolver. Henry ran upstairs and secured a gun, but could find no shells to fit
it. While hunting for others he heard the Mexican commence shooting and when he returned downstairs he found
Anderson had been shot through the left side. He was immediately removed to Dr. Powers  office, where he died a couple
of hours later.  He leaves a grief stricken wife and two children.
.Anderson Neils K 170714 p1b
The murderer gave his name as Francisco Sapala, and has been acting as janitor at the depot the past four days.  The other
man was employed on the freight platform ." A coroner s inquest was held at Tracy last Saturday, the jury bringing in a
verdict to the effect that Anderson had come to his death by a gunshot wound inflicted with murderous intent by
Francisco Sapala. Funeral services for Anderson were held Monday at Oakland. Steps have been take by the San Joaquin
county authorities to .disarm all the Mexicans at Tracy. They will no longer be permitted to carry knives and guns.
Anderson Neils K 170714 p1c
Officers hearing the reports of the guns were soon on the trail of the murderer, who started south toward the cemetery.  A
running fight between the officers and the Mexican was kept up for a mile before he was finally brought down with a
bullet in his hip. He threw up his hand only after the empty cartridges had become jammed in his own gun and it became
useless. He still had left twenty-three loaded cartridges in his belt. The wounded Mexican and one of
Anderson Neils K 170714 p1d
his pals were brought to the town jail, but the third one escaped.  Shortly after his arrival a large crowd gathered about the
bastille and threatened a lynching, and for a time it looked liked Judge Lynch would sit in judgement in Tracy, but
counse1 from cooler heads, and the absence of a man to lead the mob saved. the Mexican until the  Stockton officers
arrived to take him away. With drawn guns the local and Stockton officers passed through the crowd and escorted the two
Mexicans to their machine. One man made a pass to get the murderer but he was promptly locked in a cell.  Someone
saturated a lot of rags with coil oil and attempted to burn the jail.  An Attempt was also made to cut the electric light
wires to throw darkness over the crowd, but this failed.  "Hang the skink," "Kill the greasers" and "Don't let him out
alive," was shouted from the crowd and it only required a small spark to  turn loose a great explosion  that would have
given Tracy an unenviable name. Two Mexicans who ventured north of the track were given a sound beating and  told to
leave town and never show up again, and  judging by the way they started when turned loose they are going yet towards
the border. Two Mexican section hands are on strike and Negroes have been imported to take their places. This, is largely
responsible for the murder, it is thought, this and the blind pigs of the south side, where they can secure liquor in any
quantity.  Had not this man been murdered it is I thought a pitched battle would have taken place Thursday evening when
twenty-five negroes were unloaded in Tracy. The fact that this Mexican had fully fifty loaded shells in his belt lends
weight to the assumption.  Officer Charley Daivs had his hat picked off with a bullet from the Mexican s gun.

Anderson Nels 170707 p1
Nels Anderson Is Killed At Tracy
NeIs Anderson, chief chemist for the Mineral Products Co.. was accidentally shot and killed at Tracy Thursday evening.
With his wife and young daughter Mr. Anderson was returning by auto to Patterson from Oakland and stopped at Tracy
to visit with friends who run a brewery there.  While he was there a Mexican got into a row with another man and shot at
him but missed; and the bullet struck Anderson in the abdomen. He died an hour or two later. The Mexican was placed
under arrest.  Anderson was a highly valued employee of his company and had many friends here.

Ashby George U 170901 p3
George U. Ashby Dies at Chowchilla;  George U. Ashby, who at one time was a salesman for the Patterson Irrigated
Farms and so was well known here, died at his home in Chowchilla on last Saturday, Aug. 25th.  He was buried at
Merced on Monday. The widow of the deceased was formerly Miss Velda Freeman, a sister of Mrs. A. M. Field.  The
couple were married November 8th of last year.

Beck August 171124 p1
Miss Beck s Father Dies in Honolulu;  Word was received day Monday from Honolulu by Miss Violet Beck of the high
school faculty of the death of her father, August Beth who passed away at the Hawaiian capitol on Nov.19th Mr. Beck
Was for 20 year s Chief C1erk in the United States Army, and worked in conjunction with General Miles, General
Sherman and General Otis.  His work was especially valuable in the reconstructive period of our army, many of his ideas
were permanently adopted.  He had many friends among military men of prominence who are still living.  Several years
ago Mr. Beck went to Honolulu for his health.  Soon after his arrival he was called to an audience by the late Queen
Liliuokani because 40 years before in Panama he had been a personal friend of the Prince, her brother.  Miss Beck s
mother is in Southern California,. and her sister was with her father at the time of his death.  The pupils of the high
school met Monday and passed resolutions of sympathy for Miss Beck.

Berg Jens E 170421 p1a
Meets Death In Mineral Ore Tank;  Jens E. Berg, an employee of the Mineral Products Company, was found dead in an
ore tank at the company s Patterson plant shortly before midnight Wednesday, April 18th.  Just how the accident
happened will never be known, as there was no other person near when the man went to his death. The tank was filled
with manganese nitrates, a thick solution, and it is presumed that Berg slipped and fell in and suffocated before he could
extricate himself. Berg had been in the employ of the company for the last year or so and was a young man well liked by
all who knew him. He was in charge of one of the night shifts at the plant, and would have gone off duty at 12 o clock.
Just before midnight Leonard Larson, who was to relieve Berg, arrived at the plant, and on asking for Berg was told by
Victor Shumway, another employee, that Berg had gone upstairs. Larson went upstairs but failed to find the man, and
then Shumway made a closer search, discovering the body of Berg in the tank. The body was submerged in the nitrate
solution except for one arm and shoulder which rested on one of the two planks which were laid across the tank.
Shumway and Larson immediately hauled Berg out and phoned for Dr. Field, but Berg had evidently died before he was
found and the doctor s efforts to resuscitate him were in vain. At the corner s inquest, which was held Thursday
afternoon, a number of witnesses were called, including Dr. Field, Leonard Larson, Victor Shumway, M. S. Edson, Neils
Anderson, J. H. Evans and Robert Anderson, the latter general manager of the Mineral Products Company.
Berg Jens E 170421 p1b
None could throw any light on the tragedy. It was brought out in the testimony that an electric wire which carried an
incandescent light and which hung over the edge of the tank had been burned off by a short circuit close to the globe, and
one theory advanced was that Berg had discovered that something was wrong with the lights and going to the tank to
investigate had touched the live wire, had been momentarily stunned  by the electric shock and had fallen into the tank.
Witnesses testified that the tank was about 8 feet square. and that at the time of the accident it was filled with manganese
nitrates to a depth of 5 or 6 feet.  The top of the tank sets some 18 inches below the level of the floor, and was not
protected except by two 12-inch planks placed across the top.  There was no railing around it.  General Manager
Anderson voluntarily testified that he had noticed that his tank and one other in the plant was quite open, and said the he
wondered if it should be protected.  The reason advanced why no railing had been placed around the tank was that the
plant was not yet complete, and changes were constantly being made. After listening to the evidence the coroner's jury
visited the plant and viewed the scene of the tragedy.   They then rendered the following verdict: "That the deceased
came to his death by strangulation by accidentally falling into a tank of manganese nitrates. Said accident could probably
have been avoided by placing proper safeguards at the place of the accident." Jens Egedius Berg was a native of
Christiana, Norway, aged 25 years, 5 months and 24 days. His brother, Lorenz M. Berg, lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and
it is understood that his mother is living in Norway. All employees of the Mineral Products Company and the Patterson &
Western are covered by State Insurance, Mr. Edson stated.

Berg Jens E 170428 p1
Funeral Tuesday of Jens E. Berg;  Jens E.  Berg, who was found dead in a tank of manganese nitrate at the local plant of
the Mineral Products Company on the night of April 18th, was buried in Del Puerto Cemetery Tuesday afternoon. The
services were held at the Lutheran Church, Rev. H. J. Thorpe officiating.  M. S. Edson, superintendent and general
manager of the Patterson & Western Railroad, arranged for all the friends and former coworkers of the deceased to attend
the funeral by having the train come in at noon.  Neils Anderson, superintendent of the plant, also arranged matters that
all the workers there could be in attendance.  Mr. Anderson acted as one of the pall bearers, the others being Joe
Kermode, Victor Shumway, Leonard Larson, Victor Frederickson and Earl Drennen.  There were a number of beautiful
floral pieces.  One, from the management of the mineral Products Company, was a huge cross which covered the entire
casket; other pieces were from the employees of the railroad and the employees of the plant.  Several other and smaller
floral offerings were in evidence, all testifying to the high esteem, in which the deceased was held.  The funeral was
especially sad owing to the fact that no relatives could be present. The only relatives in this country, a brother who lives
in Minneapolis, could not be here, and the other relatives, a mother and crippled brother, reside in Christiania, Norway.
In the absence of the relatives Mr. and Mrs.  Edson took the mourners' pew in the church and followed the remains to the
grave.  Rev. Thorp preached a particularly beautiful sermon, paying a touching tribute to the deceased, and a special
quartet sang.  Davis & Evans, the local undertakers, had charge of the funeral and it was conducted in a highly
commendable manner. The Mineral Products Company paid the funeral expenses together with the State Compensation
Insurance Fund.  Just how Jens Berg met his death will never be known, but since the inquest a former room mate, John
Pelham, has stated that Berg was afflicted with heart trouble, doctoring for it at the time of his death.  Mr. Pelham was
not here when the inquest was held.  Jens Berg was only 25years of age, quiet in manner, a good worker, and  had been
supporting his mother and crippled brother in Norway, so his loss will be felt keenly across the sea.  He had been in the
employ of the Mineral Products Company for over a year, but had gone to work in the plant only five weeks before his
death.

Brooks Hazel 171208 p2
Daughter of Former Resident Buried Here;  Hazel, the 10 year old daughter of D. W. Brooks, formerly of Patterson, who
now resides on the East Side in the Westport section, died at a sanitarium in Modesto Nov. 30th, of scarlet fever.  The
remains were interred in the Patterson cemetery Saturday morning.

Brown George 170908 p2
Collided with the Owl and Died from Injuries;  George Brown, an old and trusted employee of the Simon Newman
Company, ran his Cadillac car into the Owl near Ingomar on Wednesday of last week, and died from his injuries later at
the railroad hospital in San Francisco, where he was taken for treatment. The board of inquiry which investigated the
accident fixed the blame on Brown, but just how he came to run into the train will never he known. It was shown that
Brown was somewhat deaf, but his eyesight was good and the speeding train could easily have been seen by him before
he reached the crossing. Brown was well known to a number of Patterson people.

Dimmitt Lewis R 170324 p1
Colony Boy Meets Accidental Death;  Another tragedy due to careless handling of a shotgun occurred last Sunday
afternoon when Lewis Rollin Dimmitt, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Dimmitt, was mortally wounded by the discharge of a
gun in the hands of his chum, Carl William Hammerstrand. The terrible accident occurred at the Dimmitt home in the
colony where young Hammerstrand was spending the day.  About 5 o clock in the afternoon Hammerstrand picked up a
single barreled shotgun with the intention of going out after rabbits, and without thinking loaded the gun while the nuzzle
was pointed directly at his friend who was kneeling beside a bed reading a book.  The gun was a hammerless, and when
Hammerstrand snapped the breech to after inserting the cartridge the safety device failed to work and the weapon was
discharged, the shot striking Dimmitt in the back and the lower side. As Hammerstrand was only about 10 feet away,
from Dimmitt at the time, the result of the shot may be imagined. Mrs. Dimmitt was in the room anti witnessed the
accident. Dr: A. M. Field was immediately called, but saw at once that nothing could he done for young Dimmitt except
through an operation, so the wounded youth was placed in an auto and hurried to the Evans Hospital at Modesto. There
he was put on the operating table, but died at 8:15. p.m. 15 minutes after reaching the hospital. Coroner Harry J. Wood
held an inquest Monday morning and a verdict of accidental death was rendered. Young Hammerstrand was exonerated
from all blame for his friend s death. The body was brought back to Patterson in charge of the local undertakers, Davis &
Evans, and funeral services were held Thursday in the Methodist church, Rev. Claude Smith officiating.  Interment was
in Del Puerto Cemetery. Lewis Rollin Dimmitt was born in Harrison Gulch, Shasta county, on March 3, 1901, and was
therefore 16 years and 15 days old at the time of his death.  He came to Patterson with his mother some four or five years
ago, and attended school here.  His father was not home when the accident happened, but was traveling in the northern
part of the state. The funeral was largely attended by school mates of the deceased, and special music was rendered by a
quartet.

Donkin Joseph F 170106 p3
Grayson Pioneer Dies at Modesto;  Joseph F. Donkin, aged 73 years, a pioneer of Stanislaus County of 1869, died at
noon today at the family home, 1214 Eleventh street; the cause of death being heart trouble. The deceased was an older
brother of T. H. Donkin, of the firm of Donkin & Bacon, who died two weeks ago. The body is now at the home pending
funeral arrangements. Joseph F. Donkin was one of the earliest settlers at the now deserted town of Grayson on the San
Joaquin river.  A brick business building built by Donkin many years ago, is one of the few remaining relics of a once
thriving community, the shipping point for a vast grain acreage of the West Side by river steamers. Donkin started a tin
and plumbing shop at Grayson in 1869, his move to that  place being from Antioch, where he had settled two years
before. England was the birthplace of Joseph F. Donkin, and the date of his birth November 2, 1843.  With his parents he
came to the United States in 1848, to settle in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania.  He came to California in 1867, his first
residence being at Antioch. The surviving members of the family are the wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Donkin, and four children:
Guy F. Donkin, Modesto; Miss Margaret Donkin, who had made her home with the parents; Miss Daisy F. Donkin, a
bookkeeper at San Francisco; and Miss Isabella Donkin, a trained nurse, also of San Francisco.  W.  A.  Donkin and ?  H.
Donkin of Modesto, are surviving brothers — Modesto News, Jan.  3.

Ecker Joseph H 170113 p1
Another Grayson Pioneer Passes;  Joseph H. Ecker, a resident of the Grayson district for 25 years, died at his home 10
miles south of Modesto on the Grayson road at 5 o clock this morning. The body is at the undertaking parlors of Bowker,
Wood & Shannon, 921 Twelfth street, pending funeral arrangements. Ecker was born at Fayetteville, N. Y., July 28,
1871, and came to California in 1891 to engage in ranching south of Modesto. His wife, Mrs. Anna Elizabeth Ecker, and
two sons and two daughters, survive.  A brother, J. 0. Ecker, lives at the old home at Fayetteville, N. Y., and another
brother, Joseph Ecker, resides at Grayson — Modesto News, Jan. 10.

Ecker Joseph 171124 p1
West Side Pioneer Answers Last Call;  Joseph Ecker, a pioneer of the West Side, died Nov. 16th at his home on the
Grayson road, death being due to heart failure.  He was 73 years of age and a native of New York. The deceased came to
California in 1886 and engaged in farming in this country, residing here ever since.  His son, J. Orville Ecker, lives at
Fayetteville, N.Y. The funeral was held Sunday, interment being in the Grayson cemetery.

Erb Charles H 171222 p3
Death Last Week of Charles H. Erb;  A message was received by Mrs. Chas. H. Erb on Friday evening of last week
notifying her of the death of. her husband. Mr. Erb had been ill for a considerable length of time, and passed away in a
hospital in San Francisco where he had been taken for treatment.

Feeney J M 170901 p1
J.M. Feeney Loses Life in Auto Smash;  J. M. Feeney, of Patterson, was fatally injured in an auto accident at Oakland
last Sunday afternoon, dying Monday at the Emergency Hospital where he had been taken for treatment. The deceased
was head plumber for the northern division of the Standard Oil pipe line, and had made his headquarters in Patterson for
something like a year. He leaves a wife and two small children. Regarding the accident which resulted. in Feeny's death
the San Francisco Examiner says: "One man is dying and two others escaped death by narrow margins yesterday
afternoon at Seventh and Center streets, Oakland, when two automobiles collided, one of them being thrown into the path
of an onrushing Seventh street Southern Pacific train. J. M. Feeney, a plumber, living at Patterson, who was driving one
car, is lying close to death at the Oakland Receiving hospital.  He has a basal fracture of the skull, internal injuries, a five
inch laceration of the scalp and many bruises. His companion, Michael Costello, 500 Peralta street, Oakland, was treated
for a sprained wrist and body bruises. Feeney and Costello were going south in Center street in route to Shellmound park.
Feeney, driving, veered his car at Seventh street to avoid a crash with a light car driven by Michael Zurich, 1387 Seventh
Street.  But he swerved too late.  Feeney's car crashed into the side of Zurich's machine and glanced directly in front of a
moving Southern Pacific local.  Feeney and Costello did not have time to jump.  Their car was crumpled into junk.
Zurick and his auto escaped injury."

Fulton Margaret M 171215 p1
Death Closes Long and Useful Career;  A long and useful career was closed Monday evening, Dec.10th, when death
claimed Mrs. Margaret M. Fulton, the beloved mother of John C. Fulton and Mrs. J. H. Woodward of Patterson.  Mrs.
Fulton had not been feeling well for some time, and on Monday complained of being worse than usual.  A physician was
called, but at 11 that night she passed away.  She was over 84 years of age. The deceased was born at Erie, Pa., on August
28, 1833.  She was married in ‘53 and in ‘56 moved to Illinois to live. In 1863 the family changed their residence to Iowa,
where they. resided until 1892, when they came to California, settling down at Camorillo, Ventura county. About six
years ago Mrs. Fulton came to Patterson to reside, making her home with her  daughter, Mrs. Woodward.  Her husband
died in 1898. The deceased left the following children to mourn her loss: W. T. Fulton, Camorillo, Cal.; C. M .  Fulton,
Santa Barbara, Cal.; John C. Fulton, Patterson; J. E. Fulton, Glendora, Cal.; Mrs. Lizzie H. Dunlap, Lenox, Iowa;  Mrs.
Annie Keller, Gerard, Kans., and Mrs. J. H. Woodward Patterson. Funeral services were held Wednesday at 10 o clock in
the Presbyterian church, Rev. J. K. Howard officiating. The body was taken in charge hy Davis & Evans and shipped on
the noon train to Camorillo for interment.  John C. Fulton and Mrs. Woodward accompanied the remains to their last
resting place.

Gilbert Frances 170310 p1
Death Thursday Of Mrs. Francis Gilbert;  Mrs. Frances Gilbert, mother of W. H. Gilbert and Mrs. Rollie Peters, of
Patterson, died Thursday afternoon at the home of her son, 0. S. GiIbert, at Ripon.  She was about 72 years of age, and
had been ill for some time. The body was shipped to Grundy Center, Iowa, for interment,  the necessary arrangements
being made by Davis & Evans, the Patterson undertakers. Besides Attorney Gilbert and Mrs. Peters, the other children
left by the deceased are 0. S. Gilbert, Ripon, Cal,; Dr. Q. O. Gilbert, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Mrs. Cara Brewer, Whitten,
Iowa, and Mrs. Jennie Gilbert, Grundy Center, Iowa.  Mrs. Gilbert was a native of Ohio.

Hansen Neils 170120 p1
Death Tuesday of NeiIs Hansen;  Neils Hansen, a well known resident of the West Side, died early Tuesday morning,
Jan. 16th, at his home just west of Patterson. Death was due to pneumonia and occurred after a comparatively brief
illness. The funeral was held Friday from the Davis undertaking parlors at Newman, Rev. Breeze of the Presbyterian
Church officiating.  Interment was in the Newman cemetery. The following old friends of the deceased acted as
pallbearers: George Delphia, E. C. Brown. Frank R. Raines, Robert Shimmin, Frank Cox and W. F. Button. Neils Hansen
was born in Germany in 1870 and was aged 46 years, one month and 29 days at the time of his death.  He had lived in
California for 28 years, and for the last 26 years had been a resident of Stanislaus county. For a number of years he
farmed near Westley, hut recently moved to Patterson, building a comfortable home in the foothills just west of town.
Besides the widow, Minnie Hansen, and a son, Neils Hansen, Jr., the following brothers arid sisters are left: Peter Hansen
and Mrs. Marie Mikklesen of Patterson; Chris. Hansen of La Grange; Thompson Hansen of Leavenworth, Wash., and a
sister in Denmark.

Ing Gee Ling 171027 p2
Young Chinaman Commits Suicide;  A young Chinese, whose name is believed to be Gee Ling Ing, committed  suicide
some time Wednesday night by hanging himself with a small rope from one of the trees near the laundry at the rear of the
Hotel Del Puerto. His body, dressed: only in underclothes, was found hanging from the tree about 6 o clock Thursday
morning by Jose Merchan.  Merchan notified Constable Litten and Undertaker J. H. Evans, and the body was cut down
and taken to the latter s undertaking parlors to await an inquest by the county coroner. The dead Chinese was employed
in the kitchen of the hotel, he had been in Patterson only a short time, having arrived Tuesday from an employment office
in San Francisco. He was not known to any other Chinaman in town, so it is a question whether Gee Ling Ing is his right
name; however, that name was found on some papers among his effects, and it is supposed to be his. Ill health is thought
to have been the cause of the suicide. The Chinaman showed nerve in committing the fatal act.  He made a loop over a
limb of the tree with a small rope, stood on a box and put his face through the hoop so the rope came behind his ears, and
then kicked away the box. He could easily have grasped the tree or the rope and got loose had he changed his mind before
the end, but evidently he was thoroughly determined to die.

Larson Anna 170203 p1
Death Saturday Of Mrs. Anna Larson;  Mrs Anna Larson died Saturday morning, January 27th, at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. C.J. Carlson, alter an illness of two weeks  duration, the immediate cause of death being general infirmity
due to old age. Her age was 89years, 1 month and 22 days. Funeral services were conducted from the Swedish Mission
Church on Tuesday Jan. 30th, interment being in the new Patterson Cemetery north of town. Rev. O. P. Anderson, pastor
of the Swedish Church, preached a funeral sermon in the Swedish language, followed by Rev. H. J. Thorpe, pastor of the
Lutheran who spoke in English. Many attended the services, and the floral offerings were very beautiful. Deceased was
born in the province of Linkoping, Sweden, on Dec. 5th, 1827. She came to the United States in 1869, the family first
settling at Carrier, Minn. and later at Cokato, Minn. where she remained until 1912. Her husband, L. Larson. passed away
in 1893. In the summer of 1912 she came to Patterson with the family of her son-in-law, C. J. Carlson, and had made her
home here ever since. Besides her daughter Mrs. Carlson. she left only one other relative in this country, a nephew, H. J.
Peterson. who lives in Minneapolis. Some distant relatives are living in Sweden.

Preddy Florence A 170331 p2
Pneumonia Claims Mrs. S. L. Preddy;  A very sad death occurred Tuesday when  Florence A. Preddy, wife of Sidney L.
Preddy, passed away at her home at the Standard Oil station near Patterson.  Mrs. Preddy fell a victim to pneumonia
which attacked her about 24 hours previous to the birth of her son, which latter event occurred on March 24th. The birth
of the child was hastened by the pneumonia attack, but at last reports he was getting along nicely. The deceased was born
at Salinas, Cal., on Nov. 23, 1884, and was 32 years, 4 months and 4 days old. For the last seven years she had made her
home at the Standard Oil station where her husband holds an important position.  Besides her husband and the infant son
mentioned, she leaves two children, Marion Isabel and Charles Albert. Her mother, Mrs. Charles G. Chamberlain, and her
two brothers, Harry and Everett, reside at Live Oak, Cal. Funeral services were held at the family residence at 2 p. m. on
Friday, and Friday evening Mr. Preddy accompanied the body to Oakland where it was cremated. The body was prepared
for shipment by Davis & Evans, the local undertakers. Rev. Claude Smith of the Methodist Church officiated at the
services, which were largely attended. The floral offerings were very beautiful.

Price Elizabeth 170317 p1
Sudden Death Of Mrs. Elizabeth Price;  Mrs Elizabeth Price of Newman mother of Mrs. W. F. Button died very suddenly
at the Button home Wednesday night about midnight. She had come to Patterson to visit her daughter, and as she
complained of feeling ill during the evening Mrs. Button induced her to lie down in her bedroom for awhile. Later on she
got up again, but finally became so ill that she once more had to lie down. Mrs. Button telephoned at once for Dr. Field,
but her mother had passed away before the doctor got there. An autopsy showed that death was due to a large blood clot
in her heart. The body was taken to Newman, where a formal inquest was held Thursday afternoon. The deceased was
aged about 64 years, and besides Mrs. Button leaves the following sons and daughters: Mrs. Earl Gregory of Newman;
Mrs. Arch Bolen of  Crows Landing; Mrs. H. W. Gray of Pasadena; Mrs. C. F. Lodge of Oakland; Clinton Price of
Newman and Shirley Price of Jackson, Cal. Funeral services were held at Newman Friday, and the body was taken on the
evening train to Oakland for cremation..

Rornes Hannah C 170210 p2
Mrs. H. C. Rornes Answers Last Call;  Hannah Christina Rornes, wife of H. C. Rornes, died Monday, February 5th, at
her home on Olive avenue in the Patterson colony. She had been ill for the last year, and since December had been
confined to her bed as the result of a fall which fractured her thigh. The funeral services were held on Wednesday at 2 p.
m. from the Lutheran church, Rev. Thorpe officiating and interment was in the Patterson Cemetery. The deceased was a
native of Norway, aged 78 years and 21 days. Besides her husband she leaves to mourn her death, two sons, W. H.
Rornes of Patterson and J. J. Rornes of Cotton, Cal., and a daughter, Mrs. L. B. MaIinowsky of Patterson.  A brother lives
in Norway. Mrs. Rornes was a pioneer of Patterson, having come here a few months after her husband had purchased his
farm here in 1910.

Saferite Maude 170317 p3
Mr. and Mrs. Saferite Lose Their Infant Son;  Kenneth W. Saferite, the 2 ˝  year old son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Saferite
of Patterson died on Thursday afternoon of last week at the home of his grandmother, Mrs. G. M. Fields, in Modesto.
Funeral services were held Saturday. Mrs. Saferite, who has been ill for some time and has been staying at the home of
her mother, was prostrated by the death of her child, and at last reports was in a series condition.

Saferite Kenneth W 170317 p3
Mother Follows  Baby To Grave;  Mrs. Maude Saferite, wife of Wesley Saferite of Patterson, died on Friday morning of
last week at the family home at La Grange, just a  week and a day after the death of her infant son, Kenneth. Mrs. Saferite
was ill before her child took sick, and  the boy s death proved a shock from which she could not recover. The funeral was
held Monday at Modesto, the services being conducted by Rev. J.  H. McCartney, pastor  of the Christian church.
Interment was in the family plot in the Modesto Citizen s Cemetery.

Spencer James W 171201 p1
Spencer Boy Killed by Horse ;  James Walter Spencer, the young son of Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Spencer of the colony, was
kicked on the head last Sunday evening by a horse and died shortly afterwards. The boy had gone to the corral to take the
animal to water and when he did not return promptly search was made for him and he was found unconscious on the
ground near the barn   A physician was immediately  called but nothing could be done and the boy away that evening.
The body was taken in charge by  Davis & Evans, the local undertakers, and an inquest was held Monday evening by
Coroner Harry Wood.  The verdict of the jury was that the boy died from concussion of the brain due to the kick of the
horse. The deceased lad was a native of California, aged 9 years, 4 months, and 25 days. The body was taken to Berkeley
Monday evening by private conveyance for funeral services and interment. The Spencers moved to Patterson about seven
months ago. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved family.

Taylor H P 170407 p1
Death in New York of H.P. Taylor s Mother;  H. P. Taylor was saddened this week by the receipt of news from
Hammond, N. Y., stating that his mother, Mrs. Peter R. Taylor, died there on the 3rd instant. The news was not
unexpected, as Mrs. Taylor was ill for some time. Mr. Taylor returned only a short time ago from a trip East which he
made especially to see his mother.  She had  reached the good old age of 80 and 8 days.  Three daughters, two sons, two
brothers and a sister are left to mourn her loss.

Thorkelson Gunda 170203 p2
Death Thursday Of Mrs. Carl Thorklesen;  Unable to withstand the shock of an operation which she underwent Tuesday
evening at the Evans Hospital in Modesto, Mrs. Carl Thorkleson passed away Thursday afternoon.  She leaves a husband
and six children to mourn her loss. Davis & Evans, the local undertakers, were called on to take charge of the body and
made a trip to Modesto Thursday evening to bring it back to Patterson. The arrangements for the funeral had not been
made at the time this report was written.

Thorklesen Carl Mrs 170127 p1
Funeral Saturday of Mrs. Thorkelsen;  Mrs. Carl Thorkelsen, who died suddenly last week at the Evans Hospital in
Modesto following an operation, was buried last Saturday in the Patterson Cemetery, this being the first interment since
the land for the cemetery was recently donated by the Patterson Ranch Company. The funeral services were held at 2
o'clock in the afternoon at the Lutheran Church, the pastor, Rev. H. J. Thorpe, officiating, The pallbearers were: O. S.
Lokka, E. E. Aalia, S. Torvend, Carl Englebrightsen, Otto Anderson and John Mickelsen. The funeral was quite largely
attended. Gunda Thorkelsen was born in Norway on January 28th, 1875, and was 42 years,11 months and 27 days old at
the, time of her death.

Torvend Severt 170414 p1
Sudden Death of Prominent Citizen;  Severt Torvend, one of the prominent farmers of Patterson, dropped dead Tuesday
morning at his home on Del Puerto avenue, death being due to fatty degeneration of the heart. Mr. Torvend was about to
start on an auto trip to Watsonville with members of his family, and about 8:15 was standing in the vineyard near  his
residence talking to Hans Hanson, a neighbor s son. Suddenly he dropped to the ground, and death occurred within ten
minutes. Dr. Field was sent for, but could do no more than pronounce Mr. Torvend dead when he arrived. The doctor
held an autopsy later which showed the cause of death to be as stated above, and the coroner s jury which was empaneled
Tuesday afternoon by Coroner Harry J. Wood found a verdict accordingly.  Severt Torvend was a native of Norway, aged
66 years and 3 days at the time of his death. He came to Patterson in October, 1911, and located on a farm here with his
family.  Before coming to Patterson he lived for some time near Fosston, Minn.  He was a progressive, public spirited
man, and held in high esteem by all who knew him. Besides the widow, the following children are left to mourn the loss
of a  kind and considerate father: Chris. Torvend, Grand Forks, N. D., Samuel, Silas and Henry who reside at Silverton,
Ore.; Ida, Lily, Ole, Willie, and Ingolf all of Patterson. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at 2:30 in the
Lutheran Church, the pastor, Rev. H. J. Thorpe, officiating.  All the children were able to attend the funeral with the
exception of Chris, who was unable to come in time. The body was interred in the Del Puerto Cemetery.  The funeral was
very largely attended, and there were so many floral offerings, that a special conveyance had to be provided by Davis &
Evans, who had the arrangements in charge, to accommodate them.

Viera Mary M 170721 p2
Death Wednesday of Mary M. Viera;  Mary M. Viera, mother of J M. Smith of Patterson, died on Wednesday at her
home in Mariposa county. She was 86 years old. Besides her son in Patterson she leaves three other sons to mourn her
loss. The funeral was held Friday at Madera, where most of the children and other relatives reside.