Patterson and Grayson Obituaries 1930, Page 2
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Gaffery, Jean 300725 p1
Power Line Fatal to Three; re: Jean Gaffery; Merced Tragedy Strikes Heavy Blow on Gaffery Family; A strange tragedy that was terrible in consequences laid a heavy hand on the John and Tom Gaffery families Monday when three deaths and two critical injuries resulted from contact with an 11,000 volt power line near Merced. Mrs. John Gaffery was instantly killed in the catastrophe; Jean Gaffery, her niece, 13-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Gaffery, never regained consciousness; and William Gaffery, 19-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gaffery, passes away that night as the result of terrible burns. Mrs. Gaffery's body was burned almost to a crisp before it was released from the grip of the current a half-hour later. First-aid crews worked over Jean for several hours, but to no avail. Aileen, aged 14, and Jane, aged 12, sister of William, were also caught by the current, but were rescued by a neighbor. Jane's condition was critical for a time but she is now believed out of danger although very badly burned, Aileen was the least seriously hurt and had been released from the hospital. Fixing Aerial; The tragedy occurred when the family were attempting to change a radio aerial. John Gaffery was ill in bed, and had complained of poor reception due to the interference of the power line. Believing that the trouble might be remedied by changing the aerial from a location parallel to the adjacent high-tension power line to a new site at right angles, William had prepared a new pole and was on the roof attaching the wires while the others held the pole on the ground, when the pole fell or was blown over on the 11,000 volt line Patterson High Graduate; The John Gaffery family had resided near Vernalis until about two years ago, when they removed to Modesto and thence to Merced. William was a graduate of Patterson high school with the class of 1927, a member of the football team and also of the basketball squad. He has been attending Modesto Junior College and would have completed his course there next year. Jean Gaffery had just graduated from grammar school and planned to enter Patterson high this fall. She was visiting her aunt when the tragedy occurred, the Tom Gaffery family still residing in the Vernalis district. Mrs. Tom Gaffery and Mrs. John Gaffery were sisters and the disaster bears heavily on the former, who loses a daughter, sister and nephew. Four brothers - Leonard, Raymond, Thomas and Robert, survive Jean. Leonard is in the East, accompanying Mr. and Mrs. Bibler, parents of Mrs. Gaffery, on an auto tour, and funeral arrangements were held up pending attempts to get in touch with them through radio broadcasts, there exact location not being known. Funerals Tomorrow; Being still unlocated yesterday, however, it was decided not to delay any longer and plans were made for funeral services to be held tomorrow, Saturday, morning, at the Shannon funeral chapel, Modesto, followed by interment at Modesto. The tragedy caused a profound shock in Merced and a relief fund has been started there to aid the surviving members of the family, including the bedridden father, John Gaffery, whose illness has been heightened by the shock.
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Gaffery, John Mrs. 300725 p1
Power Line Fatal to Three; re: Mrs. John Gaffery; Merced Tragedy Strikes Heavy Blow on Gaffery Family; A strange tragedy that was terrible in consequences laid a heavy hand on the John and Tom Gaffery families Monday when three deaths and two critical injuries resulted from contact with an 11,000 volt power line near Merced. Mrs. John Gaffery was instantly killed in the catastrophe; Jean Gaffery, her niece, 13-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Gaffery, never regained consciousness; and William Gaffery, 19-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gaffery, passes away that night as the result of terrible burns. Mrs. Gaffery's body was burned almost to a crisp before it was released from the grip of the current a half-hour later. First-aid crews worked over Jean for several hours, but to no avail. Aileen, aged 14, and Jane, aged 12, sister of William, were also caught by the current, but were rescued by a neighbor. Jane's condition was critical for a time but she is now believed out of danger although very badly burned, Aileen was the least seriously hurt and had been released from the hospital.
Fixing Aerial; The tragedy occurred when the family were attempting to change a radio aerial. John Gaffery was ill in bed, and had complained of poor reception due to the interference of the power line. Believing that the trouble might be remedied by changing the aerial from a location parallel to the adjacent high-tension power line to a new site at right angles, William had prepared a new pole and was on the roof attaching the wires while the others held the pole on the ground, when the pole fell or was blown over on the 11,000 volt line Patterson High Graduate; The John Gaffery family had resided near Vernalis until about two years ago, when they removed to Modesto and thence to Merced. William was a graduate of Patterson high school with the class of 1927, a member of the football team and also of the basketball squad. He has been attending Modesto Junior College and would have completed his course there next year. Jean Gaffery had just graduated from grammar school and planned to enter Patterson high this fall. She was visiting her aunt when the tragedy occurred, the Tom Gaffery family still residing in the Vernalis district. Mrs. Tom Gaffery and Mrs. John Gaffery were sisters and the disaster bears heavily on the former, who loses a daughter, sister and nephew. Four brothers - Leonard, Raymond, Thomas and Robert, survive Jean. Leonard is in the East, accompanying Mr. and Mrs. Bibler, parents of Mrs. Gaffery, on an auto tour, and funeral arrangements were held up pending attempts to get in touch with them through radio broadcasts, there exact location not being known.
Funerals Tomorrow; Being still unlocated yesterday, however, it was decided not to delay any longer and plans were made for funeral services to be held tomorrow, Saturday, morning, at the Shannon funeral chapel, Modesto, followed by interment at Modesto. The tragedy caused a profound shock in Merced and a relief fund has been started there to aid the surviving members of the family, including the bedridden father, John Gaffery, whose illness has been heightened by the shock.
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Gaffery, William 300725 p1
Power Line Fatal to Three; re: William Gaffery; Merced Tragedy Strikes Heavy Blow on Gaffery Family; A strange tragedy that was terrible in consequences laid a heavy hand on the John and Tom Gaffery families Monday when three deaths and two critical injuries resulted from contact with an 11,000 volt power line near Merced. Mrs. John Gaffery was instantly killed in the catastrophe; Jean Gaffery, her niece, 13-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Gaffery, never regained consciousness; and William Gaffery, 19-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gaffery, passes away that night as the result of terrible burns. Mrs. Gaffery's body was burned almost to a crisp before it was released from the grip of the current a half-hour later. First-aid crews worked over Jean for several hours, but to no avail. Aileen, aged 14, and Jane, aged 12, sister of William, were also caught by the current, but were rescued by a neighbor. Jane's condition was critical for a time but she is now believed out of danger although very badly burned, Aileen was the least seriously hurt and had been released from the hospital.
Fixing Aerial; The tragedy occurred when the family were attempting to change a radio aerial. John Gaffery was ill in bed, and had complained of poor reception due to the interference of the power line. Believing that the trouble might be remedied by changing the aerial from a location parallel to the adjacent high-tension power line to a new site at right angles, William had prepared a new pole and was on the roof attaching the wires while the others held the pole on the ground, when the pole fell or was blown over on the 11,000 volt line Patterson High Graduate; The John Gaffery family had resided near Vernalis until about two years ago, when they removed to Modesto and thence to Merced. William was a graduate of Patterson high school with the class of 1927, a member of the football team and also of the basketball squad. He has been attending Modesto Junior College and would have completed his course there next year. Jean Gaffery had just graduated from grammar school and planned to enter Patterson high this fall. She was visiting her aunt when the tragedy occurred, the Tom Gaffery family still residing in the Vernalis district. Mrs. Tom Gaffery and Mrs. John Gaffery were sisters and the disaster bears heavily on the former, who loses a daughter, sister and nephew. Four brothers - Leonard, Raymond, Thomas and Robert, survive Jean. Leonard is in the East, accompanying Mr. and Mrs. Bibler, parents of Mrs. Gaffery, on an auto tour, and funeral arrangements were held up pending attempts to get in touch with them through radio broadcasts, there exact location not being known.
Funerals Tomorrow; Being still unlocated yesterday, however, it was decided not to delay any longer and plans were made for funeral services to be held tomorrow, Saturday, morning, at the Shannon funeral chapel, Modesto, followed by interment at Modesto. The tragedy caused a profound shock in Merced and a relief fund has been started there to aid the surviving members of the family, including the bedridden father, John Gaffery, whose illness has been heightened by the shock.
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Grubaugh, Clyde 300530 p1
Victim Of Crash Passes After Two Weeks; Two weeks following the auto crash at Las Palmas and Sycamore in which he was involved, Clyde Grubaugh passed away at Letterman hospital, San Francisco, Saturday morning. Suffering a severe concussion of the brain when the car in which he was riding crashed into a palm tree, little hope was held out for Grubaugh's recovery from the first, but he was taken to San Francisco in hopes that specialists there could do something for him. He is survived by the widow, one son, James; and a step-son, George; as well as his father and mother, residing in Ripon, and a sister in Stockton. He was 33 years of age. Funeral services were held at the chapel of Park View Cemetery, in Stockton, Monday afternoon, with Rev. M. L. Spooler of Ripen officiating, followed by interment there. He was a member of the Ripen lodge of Odd Fellows and the Ripon American Legion, which took part in the services. A number attended the funeral services from Patterson.
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Gustafson, Arnold C. 301114 p1
Pneumonia Cause of Sudden Death A victim of pneumonia, Arnold Clarence Gustafson came to an untimely death Friday night, following an illness of but a few days. He passed away at the home at his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gustafson, on Acacia avenue. A native of Minnesota, he was 24 years of age, and is survived by seven. brothers and sisters besides the parents. These are Mrs. Albert Agadoni, and Alice, Palmer, Lester, Edna, Dora and Doris Gustafson, all of Patterson. Funeral services were held at the Davis & Evans chapel Monday afternoon with Rev. H. J. Thorpe officiating. Karl Ingebretson sang two solos during the services. Interment in Del Puerto cemetery followed.
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Gustafson, Mrs. Charles 300321 p1
Death Calls Mrs. C. Gustafson Yesterday; Mrs. Charles Gustafson passed away at her Colony home at Fig and Locust avenues yesterday morning following a short illness. Mrs. Gustafson was a native of Sweden and was 68 years of age. Beside the husband, four daughters, survive the deceased - Mrs. D. Hoffer, Mrs. Lester Schaefer, and Miss Tillie Gustafson of Patterson and Mrs. Henry Wickard of Turlock. Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Davis & Evans at two p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, with Rev. H. J. Thorpe officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto cemetery.
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Hanell, William 300808 p1
Father of W. F. Hanell Passes; Striken while driving his automobile, William Hanell of Berkeley, father of Postmaster W. F. Hanell, died of heart, failure in San Francisco Tuesday morning. With his wife, he had just descended a steep hill when he slumped over without warning The car crashed through tree and against a wall, but Mrs. Hanell was unhurt. If the attack had come a few moments sooner on the hillside, she would have been seriously endangered also. Funeral services were held this morning at Berkeley, under the auspices of Golden Gate Lodge, F. & A. M., followed by interment in Mt. Olive cemetery, San Francisco. Until his retiral a few years ago, the deceased had spent his entire life in shipping activities, starting as a cabin boy at the age of 14. For 45 years he was with a San Francisco tug company. He was 72 years of age. Two daughters survive him also.
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Hanner, Peter 301114 p2
Ends His Life with Poison; Peter Hanner Colony Rancher, Commits Suicide Despondent since the death of his wife last July, Peter Manner, Pomelo avenue rancher, committed suicide last evening by taking strychnine. The poison was purchased at a local store about 6:30 last evening under the representation that it was to be used for killing rodents. Hanner had an appointment to meet his daughter, Mrs. Henry Grundbecker of Modesto at the home of Newman relatives last evening, and when he failed to appear there, they came to Patterson to investigate, finding the body about 8:30 p. m. Hanner was a pioneer Colony resident. The body is at the parlors of Davis & Evans pending completion of funeral arrangements.
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Hanner, Sophia 300704 p5
Death of Mrs. Sophia Hanner; Mrs. Sophia Hanner, wife of Peter Hanner of Pomelo avenue, passed away at a Modesto hospital Tuesday night following an illness of some length. Mrs. Hanner was 60 years of age and a native of Austria, and had been a Colony resident for many years. Beside the husband, she is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Henry Grundrecher of Modesto. Funeral services were held from the home this morning with Rev H. J. Von Renner of Newman officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto cemetery. Davis & Evans had charge of arrangements.
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Hansell, Christian C. 300523 p1
C. C. Hansell Dies Suddenly Last Saturday; Passing away in his sleep, Christian C. Hansell, pioneer Colony settler, was found dead in his bed Saturday morning, heart failure being the cause. Hansell came to Patterson with his family in 1911 when the Colony was first being developed and has been a resident the greater portion of the time since. He was a native of Norway, aged 78 years, coming to this country when a youth of 18. He made his home in Minnesota until the removal to Patterson. He is survived by two daughters here Mrs. T. J. Moe and Mrs. Walfrid Knutson, and by three other children in the East - Mrs. Anna Willman of Illinois, C. A. Hansell of North Dakota and Sam Hansell of Wyoming. Funeral services were held from the Lutheran church Monday morning with Rev. H. J. Thorpe presiding, followed by interment in Del Puerto cemetery. Davis & Evans were in charge of arrangements.
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Harding, Charles H. 300124 p6
Veteran Pipe Line Employee Passes Away; The funeral of Charles Henry Harding who died at Modesto Saturday following an operation, was held at the Davis funeral chapel at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Dr. Aaron Breeze of Modesto, formerly pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Newman officiating. Interment was in the Newman cemetery. Mr. Harding had lived in Newman for twenty years. He as a native of England, aged 63 years, and had been a master mechanic in the employ of the Standard Oil company for the past 35 years. For the past twenty years he has held the same position, traveling up and down this division of the Standard Oil pipe line, and a large gathering of friends and associates in the company, assembled from all stations from Mendota to Maltby, attended the funeral.
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Hedderman, John W. 300530 p
Death of Pipe Line Employee; John W. Hedderman, well-known member of the Standard Oil Pipe Line staff dropped dead while working at Kettleman Hills Wednesday. He was one of the most popular employes of the division and had many friends outside the company as well who will regret to hear of his passing. The remains were shipped to Kansas City.
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Hill, Ferris C. 300411 p2
Death Of F. C. Hill Wednesday; Ferris C. Hill father of Mrs. B. H. Nelson passed away Wednesday evening. A native of New York state, he was 85 years of age. He is survived by the widow and Mrs. Nelson. He and Mrs. Hill have made their home with the Nelsons during both periods of their residence here. Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Davis & Evans at 2 P.M. today, followed by cremation at Stockton.
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Horr, Mrs. Frank 300411 p1
Passes Away At San Francisco Hospital; Mrs. Frank Horr passed away at a San Francisco hospital Friday, having been taken there nine days previous for treatment, following a prolonged illness. The deceased was 37 years and a native of California. She is survived by her husband, one daughter, Dolly, two sisters, Mrs. William Peall of Paterson and Mrs. Court of Modesto; and two brothers, Lester and Wm. Hammonds. Funeral services were held from the chapel of Davis & Evans Monday afternoon with Rev. R. W. Lamkin officiating, followed by interment in Del Puerto cemetery.
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Husman, Elmer E. 300718 p6
Newman Index Slight Injury Cause of Death; Funeral services were held this morning at ten o'clock at the Davis Funeral chapel for Elmer E. Husman of Gustine, son of Mr.and Mrs. Soren J. Husman, who passed away Tuesday evening, following an illness of eight days. The child ran a nail in his right foot last Tuesday and infection rapidly developed, causing death.
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Johnson, Charles 301212 p1
Death of Chas. Johnson Friday; Charles Johnson, former Colony rancher, passed away at his San Leandro home Friday following an extended illness. Funeral services were held Monday at Oakland under the auspices of the Masonic order.
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Jones, Comus A. 300815 p1
Fatal Spill at Grayson; Ranch Foreman Dies of Injuries Incurred in Car Upset; Comus Allen Jones, Westley ranch foreman. was fatality injured in an auto crash which occurred at Grayson about midnight Saturday. The Hudson coach in which he as riding skidded in trying to make the turn northward at the cemetery corner and sideswiped a telephone pole at the roadside. The impact caused the car to go over and Jones skull was badly fractured in the crash. An odd feature of the crash was that the telephone pole was uprooted bodily instead of being broken as is usually the case. Jones was rushed to Patterson for treatment and when his critical condition was ascertained, he was taken to a Modesto hospital, where he died Sunday morning. The deceased was 40 years of age and a native of Tennessee. He has been employed here as foreman on the tomato growing operations on the 0. N. Minniear ranch, working for A. B. Shepherd. Investigation Made; While there was no doubt as to the manner of Jones' death, conflicting reports as to the number in the car and other details caused Deputy Coroner Walter M Davis to recommend an inquest, but after an investigation by the traffic department and the coroner's office the facts were cleared up sufficiently to call off the formal hearing. It was testified that two friends were with him, both escaping unhurt. The remains were shipped yesterday to Fort Worth. Texas, by Davis & Evans, where the mother and brother of the deceased will take charge of them.
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Lancaster, Wendell 300829 p2
Denair Youth Killed; High speed on roads not intended for such use and not built to modern standards of grade and curvature caused another tragedy Saturday night just before midnight. A car containing three young men who had been attending a wiener roast on the river, given by a party of Modesto and Turlock people, turned over at the sharp turn just opposite the Newman golf course and at the approach to the Merced river bridge. Wendell Lancaster of Denair, who was sitting beside the driver was almost instantly killed. Wallace Nordquist of Modesto, who was driving suffered a fracture of the skull, and is now at the Newman hospital. The owner of the car, Franklin Jones of Modesto, got a very painful but not serious cut on the head.
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Maltby, C.S. 301017 p1
Magnesite Mine Owner Passes Away Sunday; C. S. Maltby, owner of the extensive magnesite operations at the Coast Range summit west of Patterson, passed away at a San Mateo hospital Sunday following a brief illness. He had extensive mining properties in several sections of the state, but the local magnesite field was his largest activity. While its outlet is via Livermore, phone connections go in from Patterson, and just before his death he was investigating the Mt. Hamilton road proposition as to its possible benefits to his operations, providing a shorter outlet here. A native of Canada, he was 44 years of age. With his wife and two daughters, he made his home at Burlingame.
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Munyan, Edwin C. 300815 p7
Fatal Collision Sunday East of CL Newman Index; A tragic crash at the John B. Crow corner, where the Kilburn road intersects the Crows Landing highway, ended the career of one of Newman's most, promising young men early Sunday morning. Edwin C. Munyan, known to everyone as "Eddie", was instantly killed when his car collided with a machine driven by Carl Sai, who lives on the Freitas ranch. It does not appear that anyone is to be blamed for the crash it was a misunderstanding of intention on the part of the two drivers. Several cars were returning from the Modesto carnival dance and three of them reached the intersection about the same time. Sal, who was leading, slowed down and drew out to the right to let the second machine, driven by Oscar Fleisher, go by before he made the left-hand turn into the Kilburn road. As soon as Fleisher's machine was clear, Sal pulled across to the left. It is supposed that Munyan, following Fleisher, assumed that Sai knew two cars were coming and would let both pass; but Sai had only the one car in mind and was unprepared for the appearance of a third from behind him. The Munyan car hit Sai as he turned across the road, and the two cars skidded a distance of 66 feet, Munyan's car turning over and landing on its wheels, heading backward. The driver was killed instantly. Sai escaped with minor injuries. Eddie Munyan was one of Newman's favorite sons. But 21 years of age, a graduate of Orestimba High, and making a good record in the employ of the Bank of Newman, he had every promise of a successful and happy career. He was a young man of happy disposition and a social as well as business favorite. Eddie was an athlete in several lines, and particularly baseball, having been one of the mainstays of the high school team and a valued member of the local teams since graduating. He was the son of Mr. And Mrs. Manuel Munyan, and is also survived by two sisters, Leona and Ramona Munyan, and an older brother, Kenneth. Funeral Tuesday; Funeral services at St. Joachim's church Tuesday were attended by an outpouring of friends of the deceased.
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Murry, Virgil 300718 p6
Crash Victim Dies of Hurts; Virgil Murry, Hollister fruit picker, whose back was broken when a fish truck driven by John Costa of Patterson struck him near that city last week, died Friday. Following Murry's death, manslaughter charges were filed against Costa and he was held at Hollister until his preliminary hearing was held yesterday morning. A number of witnesses from here were called to testify and the investigation failed to develop and grounds to warrant the charge and the complaint was dismissed. Error in Name; Through misinformation last week, it was stated that a sister of Mrs. J. J. Mattos was in the Costa truck. The item should have said that it was a sister of Mrs. M. T. Mattos.
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Newton, Elizabeth 301128 p1
Teachers in Crash; Crows Landing Girl Is Killed, Three Hurt, Near Livermore; Hurled into the ditch following a collision with another car when their auto skidded in the rain, four Crows Landing school teachers were involved in a serious crash Wednesday afternoon near Livermore. One was killed, one seriously hurt and the other two escaped with lesser injuries. Miss Elizabeth Newton, 35, first grade teacher, was Instantly killed in the crash. Miss Doris Beatty, 22,incurred a dislocated hip, broken arm and severe bruises and lacerations, but her injuries are not considered critical unless unexpected internal injuries develop. The other two teachers, Miss Beulah Elvlng, 21, and Miss BelIe. Bennett, 21, escaped with severe lacerations and bruises, and although their injuries are painful, they expect to be able to resume their school duties next Monday. The party had left Crows Landing immediately after the close of school, en route to celebrate Thanksgiving at their homes In the Bay region.
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Donated by Gale and Jean Stroud
May 2008
Stanislaus Obituary Index
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