Nelson and Nimrod Utterback

The people of Lancaster were very much shocked Tuesday of last week to learn of the death of two prominent old settlers in that community, Nelson Utterback the evening before and Nimrod that morning. The first named had been ill just one week having had three strokes of paralysis the Monday before. Nimrod had been failing in health for a long time and for some time previous to his death he had been losing his mind.

“Uncle Nels”, as he was familiarly called was born in Kentucky, August 24, 1828 and at the time of his death, April 30, 1900, he lacked less than four months of being seventy-two years old. He removed to Indiana in his youth and married Matilda Utterback there, September 1850 and immediately moved to Iowa, where he spent the rest of his life. Eight children were born of this union, six of whom are living; Mary E. (Lemon), William C., Alvin R., Sarah L. (Lemon), Julia A. (Pike), and Leu Clara B. (Lemon). His wife died in 1863, and September 24, 1865, he married Sarah Jessup who survives him. Of this union were born seven children, one of whom died in infancy and Delbert L. died March 17, 1870. The others, James M., Byron A., Homer M., Howard M., and Ray M., are still living. Mr. Utterback joined the Church of Christ at Lancaster in February 1872 and has lived a consistent Christ life ever since. He was an excellent neighbor and a whole hearted and hospitable man, of a genial disposition and will be much missed in the community.

Nimrod Utterback was born in Johnson county, Indiana, November 25, 1840. Died May 1, 1900, aged 59 years, 5 months, and 6 days. He moved to Iowa with his parents in September 1850 since which time he has resided in Keokuk county. May 17, 1861 he married Serena Tygart to whom were born five boys and one girl, all living. Elliot Edwin, Albert Edson, Frank, William Elmer, Corbin Udella, and Allie Leu Elsie, (Cornwell.) Deceased had lived a consistent Christian life for 30 years, first uniting with Bethel and afterward with Lancaster. Uncle Nimrod had a fine family and a pleasant home. He was a peaceable man and much beloved by his neighbors, who will miss the quiet God-fearing man who has walked among them for nearly a half a century.

The two funerals were held in the Lancaster church Wednesday afternoon at one o’clock, the services being conducted by the pastor, Rev. C. Durrant Jones, of Des Moines, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Pennington cemetery. More than 140 teams drove to the cemetery and there were over 200 relatives present. It was the largest funeral ever held at Lancaster. The community feels its loss Keenly, and will not soon forget the two men who have been so prominent in its affairs for fifty years.



H/O Cyrena

Son of Corbin 1804

Children of Nimrod [1841] & Serena [1854]
Elliot E. & Albert E. 1866
Allie 1869
Frank 1872
William 1877
Corbin 1879