Aged 86y 5m 2d. s/o Peter Akes and Susannah Harris. Stephen was married a fourth time to Catherine Martha Wyatt, 11 Sep 1893, Davis City, Decatur, IA.

Stephen's obituary in the Leon Reporter. It is found in the Iowa Dept. of History and Archives, 12th St. and Grand Ave. DesMoines, Iowa 50309. His obituary was in the Leon Reporter May 28, 1908 p1.

Stephen Rutherford Akes was born in the state of Kentucky, Dec. 19, 1821, and departed this life May 20, 1908, to enter the house not made with hands. When deceased was nine years of age he removed with his parents to McCoupin Co. Illinois, and in the year 1868 removed to Decatur Co. Iowa, where he resided continuously until his death. The deceased was known in the community where he lived as an honorable, upright, christian man; his influence always being in the case that he deemed right and just. He was a man of original thought and research, a great student of the bible and had the courage to stand for the right at all times and under all circumstances. After moving to Decatur Co. Mr. Akes became a member of the Palestine Baptist Church, and remained a faithful memeber until his death. Until the last few years he was very active in church work, and not until old age compelled him to desist did he cease his activity. During the life of his wife and as long as he maintained a home it was always opened to his friends or to strangers who might be in his neighborhood. The ministers who preached at Palestine Church usually made his home their headquarters.

The deceased was one of the early members of the Odd Fellow Lodge of Decatur, Iowa, was ever faithful and strongly attached to the principles of the Order.

Stephen Akes was the father of sixteen children and left living at the time of his decease descendants as follows, to wit: Lydia Warren, Martha Ellis, W.P. Akes, Henry Akes, Susan Brown, Emma Bane, Oma Kohal, C.M. Akes, Benjamin and John Akes, all of whom being at his bedside at the time of his death except three, who lived at so great a distance they could not come. There are 64 grandchildren and 64 great grandchildren.

The funeral services were held at the Palestine Church Thursday afternoon conducted by the Rev. Joseph Edwards. A large number of relatives and friends were in attendance. Interment was in the Palestine Cemetery."Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord for henceforth yea sayeth the spirit that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them."∼
Son of Peter & Susannah (Harris) Akes

Husband of Emeline Rosetta (Meeker) Akes