Emmet Earl Wood (1902-1904)

Gone to Rest

Loving friends weep not for him,

For he is now at rest;

How happy is your darling one,

Now pillowed on the Saviour’s breast.

Oh, the hope is sweet, tis sweet,

That we soon in heaven may meet;

There we all shall happy be,

Rest from pain and sorrow free.

Died, February 19^th, Emmett Earl Wood, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Wood, aged 1 year, 8 months and 19 days. The little one was taken ill Thursday morning January 18^th from which time all help in human power was rendered, but to no avail. He got no better and Friday evening at 9 o’clock the Death angel hovered about him while he peacefully passed away resting in his mother’s arms. The remains were laid to rest in the Friendship cemetery Saturday, February 20. There his parents, relatives and friends bid him farewell until we meet again in the realms of perfect happiness where the weary are at rest and sad parting comes no more.

Little Ernest was a sweet and loving child, being loved by all who knew him. We will miss his bright and smiling little face, but God knows best and doeth all things well. We know his father, mother and little brother will miss him; no more to hear his sweet voice calling papa or mama or brother, but only think that your great loss is his gain, for God hath said “suffer little children to come unto me, and I will give them rest, for of such is the Kingdom of God. ---Ida B.

The Pulaski County Democrat

Waynesville, Missouri

26 February, 1904

Page 1

Transcribed by Laura (Abernathy) Huffman

William L. Graves 1849-1935

William Lanch Graves was born in the year 1849 and died Sept. 7, 1935 at the age of 85 years, 11 months and 28 days.  He was married to Evelyn York in 1870 and to this union 10 children were born.  This wife and five children preceded him to the Great Beyond.  Those living are: Henry Graves, Mollie Gan, Frank Graves, Jennie Manes and Lilbourn Graves.

Mr. Graves was later married to Emiline Henson, in 1889, and to this union 9 children were born, this wife and 9 children preceding him in death.  Those surviving are: Everett Graves, Mae Dunlap and Marvin Graves.  In 1926 he was married to Nancy Gilkey.  She and eight children, 45 grandchildren, besides many great-grandchildren and other relatives and a host of friends are left to mourn their loss.

Mr. Graves was converted in early life and remained a faithful Christian.  The old church book shows he was ordained Deacon in the Friendship church 56 years ago.

Joseph Christeson d. May 7, 1904

Special thanks to Mike Christeson of Little Rock, Arkansas for sharing this obituary.

Joseph Christeson died at his home last Saturday of a complication of diseases. He had been an invalid for four or five years, but had not been confined to his bed but about three months, and though a great sufferer he bore it all very patiently. By his death, our neighborhood has lost one it’s most highly esteemed citizens, who was well beloved by all. Funeral services were held at Friendship church Sunday, conducted by his pastor Rev. Newton Manes. Interment was made in Friendship cemetery.

Editor’s note: This was published in the Pulaski County Democrat May 13, 1904. This would make the date of Joseph’s death May 7, 1904.

Friendship Cemetery

Click picture for a more detailed view of Friendship Cemetery's location in Pulaski County, Missouri.

Friendship Cemetery, near Iowa Avenue, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Photo by Pulaski County Obits.

Friendship Cemetery is located in Pulaski County, MO., on Fort Leonard Wood. Before Fort Leonard Wood was established, Friendship Baptist Church was located here. This a large, church cemetery. The father of Rev. T.J. Zumwalt is buried in Friendship Cemetery.

The Fort Leonard Wood Guidon published the following about Friendship Cemetery in 2008:

Friendship Cemetery holds several war veterans, with gravestones that tell tales of infant mortality and fantastically long life. One woman lived to 95 years of age before her death in 1911, and if the gravestone is to be believed, her relative lived until he was 114 before his death in 1929.

While there are only 15 gravestones for infants in Friendship Cemetery out of the 119 graves, there is still evidence of personal tragedy, with one couple’s three daughters all dying before 4 months of age. Military members buried there include two Missouri privates who may have served in World War I, and an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy and a Missouri infantryman that served in World War II.

Latitude: 37.7103195
Longitude: -92.1634973
Township 35-Range 11-Section 32

Friendship Cemetery, Ft. Leonard Wood, Pulaski County, Missouri. Photo by Pulaski County Obits.

Mabel L. (Gan) Saling 1899-1957

Mabel Lea Gan, daughter of George W. and Anna Gan, was born in Waynesville, Missouri, April 24, 1899 and died suddenly at her home in St. Clair, Missouri on April 19, 1957.

On December 24, 1919 she was united in marriage to Samuel E. Saling. To this union one son, William James Saling was born.

She spent her early life in Waynesville where she was active in church and social affairs, later moving to Swedeborg, Missouri, where she lived for several years. She was a member of the Swedeborg Baptist Church, where she took an active part and attended regularly. She was a long time member of the Loyal Workers Club of Swedeborg, where she was loved and respected by all. When her health failed some two years ago, they moved to St. Clair to be near her son and his family.

Survivors are her husband, Samuel E. Saling, her son and daughter-in-law, five grandsons, Billy, Jr., Michael, Larry, Patrick, and Terry, two sisters, Lois Lofting of Crocker, and Georgia Sprague of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who will be grieved at her passing.

Funeral services were held Sunday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the Waynesville Baptist Church with Rev. J.L. Hicks officiating. Burial was in the Friendship Cemetery under direction of Hedges Funeral Home of Waynesville.

View Death Certificate

Beulah (Griffin) Foster 1896-1934

Mrs. Earl Foster, nee Griffin, age 37, of the Spring Creek community, passed away Saturday night, August 25, at the Springfield Baptist hospital from peritonitis and blood poisoning, following an illness of about 4 weeks duration.

Prior to her death she was given several blood transfusions in an effort to save her life.

She was born in Pulaski County, near Wharton, and had resided in the community all of her life. She was married to Earl Foster, and five children, husband and mother, and a host of relatives and friends survive her.

Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock, at Friendship Baptist church, by Rev. Chas. Roach and interment was made in the church cemetery, with J.L. Hoops and Sons, funeral directors.


October 17, 1896-August 23, 1934


View Death Certificate

James A. Steward 1831-1908

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1878-1912.

Bro. James A. Steward died at Wesley Logan's near Fyan Post Office, Pulaski Co., MO., April 18th 1908 at 6 p.m., aged 76 ys., 8 ms., & 1 day. I attended his burial at Friendship Ch. April 20th 1908 at 12 noon. And his funeral sermon was preached at Friendship Ch . Sept. 6th 1908 at 11 a.m. from Isaiah 48X10. His children were all present, but Hardin & John Steward.

1831-18 April, 1908

Elizabeth (Miller) Steward 1829-1902

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1878-1912.

Elizabeth Steward born in Hart Co., KY, May 3d 1829, died near Tribune, Pulaski Co., MO, March 10th 1902, aged 72 ys, 10 ms, & 7 ds. Sister Steward was a daughter. of Jacob & Lydia Ann Miller & of a family of 10 children, one bro. living, Fielding H. Miller, was living when last heard from in Hart Co. May 17th 1849, sister Steward was married to Bro. James Steward in Hart Co., KY, and unto them were born 12 children, 9 of whom survive. Her grand children No. 51, 14 of that No. are dead and 37 living. Her great grand children No. 11, 2 of them are dead and 9 living. Aug. 31st 1902 at 11 a.m. at Friendship Church her funeral sermon was by J.J. Watts, from Phil 1X21. Estimated 300 people present. Hymns used "The bosom where I oft have lain"

Minnie Elender Page 1876-1887

This entry is from the J.J. Watts collection. John J. Watts hailed from Warren, Maine and moved to the northern Ozarks of Missouri sometime after the Civil War. He was a circuit-riding Baptist Minister and his territory covered Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties and parts of Maries and Dent Counties. He established a cemetery, Watt’s Lawn, which is located 1 mile West of J Highway, near the Pulaski County-Phelps County line. This collection covers 1882-1912.

Minnie Elender, daughter of Hosea M. and Sarah Angeline Page, born in Pulaski Co., MO, Sept. 22d 1876 and died there Sept. 27th 1887, aged 11 ys. and 5 days. A funeral sermon was preached at her home, from Gen. 37 X 30 by J.J. Watts Sept. 28th 1887 Rev. A . Hendrix attended the burial the next day at Friendship.