Ed Abernathy Dies at Home Tuesday - January 12, 1930

Edward Abernathy, a long time and respected citizen of Monte Vista and the San Luis Valley, died at his home after a lingering illness of several months from cancer of the stomach. Funeral services were conducted from the Christian church of this city Thursday afternoon at two-thirty o'clock by the pastor, Rev. C. E. Perlee. Music was furnished by Mrs. Bacon and Mrs. Farrow. The body was laid to rest in the Monte Vista cemetery by the side of his companion.

Mr. Abernathy was a native of Douglas County, Illinois, born near Tuscola, January 2, 1877. He came to the San Luis valley in 1898 locating in Monte Vista which has been his home since then continuously for 32 years.

July 11, 1910 he married Bessie Murray who preceded him in death September 5, 1920 and since that time with fine paternal solicitudes kept his family together and brought them thus far toward splendid manhood and womanhood.

Four children came to bless the home of the Abernathy's, all of whom are living and who cherish the memory of the patient loving father: Harold, Charles, Lucille and Betty Jane. Besides the children Mr. Abernathy is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Mary Wymer of Lamara, MO., Mrs. Mattie Nichols of Kansas City, Mo., two half sisters, Mrs. Sarah Ferguson of Denver and Mrs. Jessie Rymal of Fairplay, CO and one brother, Frank Abernathy of Monte Vista.

Ed Abernathy served as town marshal for seven years and as sheriff for two terms; to him his public office was an avenue of service and during those years he performed many deeds of kindly service to those who needed help. He leaves behind him no estate of material wealth, but a wealth of friendship and service to his community.

He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and was always considered an honest and industrious man and was very loyal to all his friends.


(Monte Vista Journal)
Rio Grande County Genealogy Board
http://homestead.coolboard.com/msgshow.cfm/msgboard=23448616609529&msg=53013050573724&page=1&idDispSub=85067747870422


The January 17, 1930 issue of the Monte Vista Journal contains Edward Abernathy's obituary. It is long. It does state that E.S. Abernathy died on January 14, 1930 of stomach cancer in Monte Vista. He came to the San Luis Valley in 1898. He was born January 2, 1877 in Douglas County, Illinois near Tuscola. He was the town marshall for 7 years and the county sheriff for 2 terms. He married Bessie Murray on July 11, 1910. While doing some other research, we saw a notice in the September 25, 1920 issue of the MVJ announcing Edward's candidacy as Republican candidate for county sheriff. Also, the obituary index for the MV Journal states that Edward's wife died on September 5, 1920 of uremic poisoning. She was born December 29, 1886 near Arkansas City, Kansas. Hope this helps!