Bela Vining was born in Durham, Maine, January 18, 1832 and died at this home near Orchard, Iowa January 10, 1911, at the age of 78 years 11 months and 22 days.

He was educated in the common schools of his hometown. When a young man he went to Vermont and there on the 17th day of September 1863 was united in marriage to Miss Lucretia Lyman. The young couple remained in Vermont one year, then removed to Mitchell County, Iowa, and settled on the farm which has been their home for 47 years.

To this union were born three children. Fred, the eldest was instantly killed by the kick of a horse on February 1, 1898. Sarah is now the wife of Charles Brown of Orchard, Iowa, Elmo the youngest has remained on the home farm excepting three years spent in Floyd County, and there has, with the aid of his faithful wife, done everything possible to make the declining years of the father happy and comfortable..

The deceased leaves besides his aged wife, two children and six grandchildren. The funeral was held at this home January 13, Rev. Williams officiating. Interment in the Osage Cemetery.
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1850 US Census: Durham, Cumberland, Maine
William Vining 58 born abt 1792 Maine
Nancy Vining 52 born abt 1798 Maine
Thankful Vining 87, female born abt 1763 Maine
Emily Vining 22 born abt 1828 Maine
Bela Vining 20 born abt 1830 Maine
Frances Vining 16 born abt 1834 Maine
Sarah Vining 8 born abt 1842 Maine

**William Vining was born July 20, 1791 in Durham Maine...Maine birth record; and died December 26, 1863 in Durham, Maine...Maine death record. His fathers name was also Bela.
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1860 US Census: Durham, Addroscoggin, Maine
William Vining 63 born abt 1797 Maine
Nancy Vining 60 born abt 1800 Maine
Emily Vining 30 born abt 1830 Maine
Belia A Vining 29, born abt 1831 Maine
Sarah Vining 19 born abt 1841 Maine
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1880 US Census:Lincoln, Mitchell, Iowa
Bela Vining 47 born abt 1833 Maine
Lucretia Vining 39 born abt 1841 New Hampshire
Fred Vining 16 born abt 1864 New Hampshire
Sarah Vining 13 born abt 1867 Wisconsin
Elmo Vining 9 born abt 1871 Iowa
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1900 US Census: Lincoln, Mitchell, Iowa
Bela A Vining 57 born January 1833 Maine
Lucretia Vining 56 born October 1843 New Hampshire
Elmo Vining 29 born March 1871 Iowa
Jennie Vining, daughter-in-law 23 born April 1877 Iowa
Glen Vining, grandson 2 born January 1898 Iowa