Originally uploaded by mrwaterslide
Above is displayed another funeral card from the collection of John Van Noate at Flickr.
It was exciting to discover a funeral card with a 1902 identified photograph of the deceased, John Wesley Ondler. The memorial verse is very poignant and much can be attributed to the his wife, Elsie and young daughter, Fern--the family he left behind.
Politically active, J. W. Ondler, at one time served as the deputy auditor for Linn County, Iowa. Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette of March 2, 1899 provides a glimpse into the life of John W. Ondler:
"...Mr. Ondler resigned in order to return to Troy Mills where he is the proprietor of a large and prosperous business. He found that the loss that his interests suffered through his interests was to great to permit him to remain in the service of the county. Mr. Ondler was very popular and made many friends and Auditor Jackson was very loath to part with him."
The cause of his death remains a mystery, as news that I can currently access revealed thirteen days before his death: "J.W. Ondler is under the doctor's care. Raymond Rome is clerking in the store during his absence." His obituary remains to be discovered.
The good news is four family trees at Ancestry.com have linked to John Wesley Ondler in the 1880 Census at Spring Grove Township, Linn, Iowa; Roll T9_351, FHC film 1254351, page 372.1, E.D. 276, Image 0746. It is good to know the family trees may soon display Mr. Ondler's funeral card.
Note: The author wishes to acknowledge John Van Noate and his generous contribution to Funeral Cards and Genealogy.
1 comment:
A message from Don Dale:
"Thank you for taking the time to look me up and send the information and picture. I've already downloaded to my family tree."
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