Mrs. Anna Elizabeth Garten Speas, 84, died of pneumonia Thursday morning at the home of her son Mont Garten, Backus. Her sudden death following a brief illness stunned friends and member of her family. The body has been sent to Marshalltown, Iowa. Born March 17, 1848, in Owen County, Indiana. Mrs. Speas was the mother of six children, all of whom survived her. She lived with her son in Backus for the last six years of her life. And she leaves many friends who mourn her death. A kindly and cheerful woman to whom age had come gracefully, bringing with it the memories of an active and useful life and the contentment that a happy family and a circle of friends can give. Mrs. Speas spent her last years in peace and happiness. That happiness was suddenly shattered for her family and friends this week when she was stricken with pneumonia from which she was to never recover. Surviving Mrs. Speas are two sons, Mont Garten of Backus and Walter Garten of Marshfield, WI. And four daughters Mrs. Frank Avery of Backus; Mrs. Hugh Graves of Hubbard, IA, Mrs. Sam Bridgeman of Marshalltown, IA and Mrs. Della Boyd of Marshalltown. Final arrangements for the funeral have not been completed. -Cass County Independent, July 8th 1932.


Mrs. Anna Elizabeth Garten Speas, 84 years of age, passed away at the home of her son, Mont Garten near Backus, Thursday, July 7th at noon, death being due to pneumonia. Deceased was born March 17, 1848 and of late years has been residing at the home of her son, seven miles east of Backus. She leaves a family of six grown children to mourn her loss. A daughter Mrs. Frank Avery resides at Backus. The remains are to be shipped to Marshalltown, IA. -Cass County Pioneer – July 8th, 1932.