George Marshall Despain

Son of William DeSpain/Despain and Rachel Cox DeSpain/Despain (the surnames vary in sources).

Husband of Ethel Alden Despain. Married about 1895; the 1910 census provides that they were married about 15 years at that point. According to that census, they had three children, two of whom (William, born about 1898, and Edna, born about 1900) were living as of 1910. Don't know who the other child was.

Update: it is possible that this is that son, William A DeSpain , but the death date on the inscription has been rubbed out. This burial is in Mount Pulaski cemetery, Mount Pulaski, Logan county, Illinois. Wife: Lola. The DOB of 1898 would fit the above profile. Needs verification somehow, but offering it as a possible lead to any family researchers.

Update a/o January 4, 2016 -

There is now evidence from census materials that George married a Mary Flory Pogensick, who died in 1931 and is buried in Illinois with her first husband Guss/Gus Pogensick. Exactly when and where George and Mary married has not been determined yet, but likely sometime in the 1920's. Perhaps they were married in Illinois? Any clarification would be appreciated.

Burlington Ia. Hawk-Eye Gazette Friday June 9, 1944 Pg. 2 col. 1

Deaths: Funerals

GEORGE M. DESPAIN

George Marshall DESPAIN, Oquawka, Ill., died at 11:50 p.m. Thursday in Burlington hospital following a brief illness.

A native of Henry county, he was born Oct. 27, 1873, the son of William and Rachel DESPAIN and for many years was a railway switchman.

He is survived by one son, William DESPAIN, located in the east; 3 brothers, Jerry and Joseph DESPAIN, Burlington, and Peter, Fairfield, and 3 sisters, Mrs. Mary GRAHAM, Ottumwa; Mrs. Rachel BEHNE, Fairfield, and Mrs. Blanche MANARY, Moline. There are also several grandchildren. His wife and one daughter are dead.

Funeral services will be held at Prugh's chapel at 2 p.m. Monday. Rev. R. R. Belter will officiate and burial will be in Aspen Grove cemetery.

Note: The DOD for George Marshall Despain was originally thought to be June 9, 1944 when this memorial was first made, based on the Fairfield Ledger obituary. Since getting the headstone inscription photo, finding the Burlington Hawk-Eye obituary, and consulting with Aspen Grove cemetery records, it appears that he died on Thursday, June 8, 1944. This memorial DOD is being changed to June 8, 1944 accordingly. //rkt April 7, 2012.

Note: The clerk at the Aspen Grove cemetery office has generously made a listing of DeSpain/Despain burials for this contributor, providing the official burial plot locatiions. Some Des Moines county genealogy sources compiled cemetery listings that, well, took liberties with the official plot locations. What is used for a plot location on this memorial is from the official Aspen Grove cemetery records.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 17 2016, 22:42:07 UTC