Adelbert Dobson & His Wives

Adelbert Warrington Dobson – this regal name belonged to the only surviving child of Warrington Dobson & Gertrude Marie Van Vranken (Gert’s line traces back to Hezekiah Rogers & Hannan Vincent).

Adelbert married three times – Florence E Lair, Hessie M Andrews & Helen M Putnam.  Florence died at the age of 21 and they had 2 children together.  Adelbert & Hessie were only married 5 years when she died at 40.  Helen was only 4 years into her marriage to Adelbert when he died at 42!  Helen remarried and died in 1966.

I wish I could have found a picture of him to go along with his obit but I did find a picture of Florence as a child 

courtesy of  Thoran - Find A Grave

Times Republican, 25 May 1916

Dobson's Illness Has Fatal Ending

County Auditor Succumbs to Peritonitis Following Appendicitis

Was Well-Liked and Competent Official

Was Serving on First Term, and Was Candidate on Republican Ticket for Renomination - Was Native of County - Funeral Saturday Afternoon from Presbyterian Church

Illness of less than a week, which began with an acute attack of appendicitis a week ago tonight, resulted in the death at 1:30 this morning of County Auditor A W Dobson.  Mr Dobson died at the Deaconess Hospital where he was removed Sunday for a surgical operation following the rupture of the appendix.  Death was due to general peritonitis.  Mr Dobson called a physician on the morning following his attack and on Saturday morning after a consultation of physicians, an operation was advised.  Mr Dobson refused to consent to the operation, however, Saturday night the appendix ruptured, causing an abscess, and Sunday afternoon, the operation was performed in the last hope of saving the patient's life.  Peritonitis resulted, and the patient's condition had been extremely serious from the start.

First Term As Auditor

Mr Dobson was serving his first term as auditor, the second year of the term dating from Jan 1.  Mr Dobson was a candidate for renomination on the republican ticket before the June primary, without opposition.  He has made a competent official and was well liked by patrons of the office generally.  he was elected at the general election Nov 3, 1914.  Prior to assuming the office of auditor, Mr Dobson had served four years as deputy to Auditor A H Walker, and for a year had been deputy to former Auditor Erastus Cornell.  Before entering the auditor's office, Mr Dobson had been assistant to City Engineers William Bremner, CA Baughman and W H Steiner.

Was Native of County

Adelbert W Dobson was a native of this county, having been born on the farm of his father, the late Warrington Dobson, in Timber Creek Township, Feb 6, 1873.  Following the death of his father, his mother, Mrs Gertrude M Dobson, moved to this city, and since 1885 the family home has been here.  Mr Dobson had been thrice married.  His first wife was Miss Florence E Lair, of this city, a daughter of the late D W Lair, the wedding taking place Dec 25. 1896.  Mr Dobson died Jan 25, 1900 and three years later, Mr Dobson took Miss Hessie May Andrews, daughter of Mr and Mrs M E Andrews, as his bride.  The second Mrs Dobson died March 23, 1908.  On Nov 7, 1912, at Eldora, Mr Dobson was united in marriage with Mrs Helen Lamer, daughter of the late Allen Putman of Eldora.  She survives Mr Dobson with her infant son, John Howard, aged 11 months.  Mr Dobson also leaves two daughters, Frances and Gertrude by the first wife.  His aged mother is also living.  One brother and a sister died in infancy.  Mr Dobson was a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he was both an elder and a trustee.

Funeral Saturday Afternoon

Following a short prayer service at the Dobson home, 109 West State Street, funeral services will be held from the Presbyterian church at 2:30, Saturday afternoon.  The church will be opened to friends at 1:30.  Rev J P Linn will be in charge, and burial will be in Riverside.  In memory of Mr Dobson, all the county offices will close at noon Saturday for the remainder of the day.

courtesy of earlwood1 - Ancestry

Evening Times Republican, Thurs, 25 Jan 1900

Dobson - The home of Mr Adelbert W Dobson was saddened today when death came and claimed the young wife and mother.  For a number of days her life had been despaired of, but she had been so hopeful and confident of recovery that it was thought possible the hopes might be realized.  Blood poisoning had set in following the birth of a child about two weeks ago.  Mr Dobson had many friends in the city, for she was of winning personality and sweet disposition.  She was the younger daughter of Mr and Mrs D W Liar., who reside six miles west of the city.  She was only 21 years of age and seventeen of those years had been spent in this county, for her parents moved here when she was a very little girl, from Brookfield, Mo, where she was born.  She attended the city schools for some time and then

began work at the state normal at Cedar Falls.  Never strong, she was not able to continue her studies and returned home.  On Dec 23, 1896, she was married to Mr Dobson  Two daughters are left to the bereaved husband, one, Frances Marie, 2 years old, and the baby of a few weeks.  Mrs Dobson was from childhood an earnest Christian worker, a member of the Presbyterian church.  The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence, No 109 West State street.  Rev Russell having charge of the services.

courtesy of  jebuss2 - Ancestry

Times Republican, 26 Mar 1908

The funeral of the late Mrs. A. W.Dobson, held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the M. E. Andrews' home, 902 West Main Street, was very largely attended. Relatives and a number of friends and former neighbors were present from Melbourne, and relatives present from a greater distance, were Mrs. J. E. Wortman of Iowa City, a sister; Mr Charles Andrews of Perry, an uncle; Mrs Thomas Fitzgerald, of Casey, and Mrs Joseph Zook, of Adair, aunts of the deceased.  The services were conducted by Rev W H Scott, assisted by Rev C W McCord, of the Presbyterian Church, of which the deceased was a member.  Mrs Mya C Hurlbut and Mrs Gay Barber sang the selections, "When Some Great Sorrow" and "Saved by Grace."  The pall bearers were Messrs George Gregory, Alfred Beatty, A B Coppock, C A Baughamn, W T Smith and F W Iseman.   The floral tributes were many and very beautiful.  Interment was in Riverside.

courtesy of Grave Walker - Find A Grave

Ames Daily Tribune, Mon, 3 Jan 1966

Mrs Wortman's services set

Mrs. R. W. Wortman, 83, Route 2, died at her home about 9:30 p.m. Sunday after an illness of several months.  Born near Eldora, she had been a resident of Ames since 1921.  Mrs. Wortman was a member of First Methodist Church and of the Art Club.  She is survived by her husband, R. W.; three daughters, Mrs. Alice Novelli of San Manuel, Ariz., Mrs. Ruth Mallory of Des Moines and Mrs. Helen Duckworth, Victoria, Tex.; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday from the Adams Funeral Home, with the Rev. Lawrence B. Beals, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Ames Municipal Cemetery.  A memorial fund has been established for the Heart Fund. Gifts may be left at First Methodist Church.