Theodore Brees, oldest son of Joseph and Sarah Brees, was born June 8, 1858 in Brown county, Ohio, and departed from this life at his home in Dallas, IA, Aug. 14, aged 70 years, 2 months and 7 days.

He moved with his parents to Marion County when he was about 10 years old.

He was married to Susan Zugg in 1879, and to this union were born sixteen children, eleven sons and five daughters, three of the sons having gone on before.

The remaining children are: Mrs. Helen Crawford, Ernest Brees, Oliver Brees, John Brees and Lee Breese, all of Dallas; Mrs. Mina (Nina) Weorz, Mrs. Grace Gilmore and Howard Brees, all of Des Moines; Mrs. Neil Nichols, Mrs. Eva Miller, Ralph Brees and Ocie Brees, all of Knoxville, and Joe Brees of Blue Island, Ill.

There also survive him, thirty-six grandchildren, four living brothers, Sim Brees of Wichita, Kans., John and Jeff, of Atwell, Colo., and Nelson Brees of Knoxville; also sisters as follows, Osean of Knoxville, Allice Hilyard (Hillard) of Des Moines, Lizzie King of Davenport, Mattie Elliott of New London, N.D., besides a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Brees spent his entire life, with the exception of the last five years, on the farm, moving to his home in Dallas five years ago.

He was converted about thirty-five years ago and united with the Evangelical church, later transferring his membership to the M.E. church. During his last years he worshipped with the Assembly of God church at Melcher.

The choir, composed of Sampson Miller, Mrs. Villa Hixenbaugh, Mrs. Ruby Ferber, Miss Maude Long and Mrs. Violet Calhoun, very appropriately sang, "There'll Be No Dark Valley", "Rock of Ages" and "Beautiful River". The pall bearers were William Spray, Clifford Gruver, Roy Gruver, D.J. Jones, W.C. Thomas, Raymond Dixon. The Rev. F.G. Cline of Oskaloosa had charge of the services.

--Knoxville (Iowa) newspaper, August 1928