David Whinery

Altoona Tribune, Thursday, May 11, 1922, Pg. 1

DEATH OF DAVID WHINERY.

David Whinery, Jr., son of David and Sarah Whinery was born at Winoma, Ohio, March 15, 1847, and died at Pittsburg, Kansas, May 5th, 1922, aged seventy-five years, one month and twenty days. Born and reared in the conservative faith of the Quakers, he grew into manhood, following the footsteps of his father, developing his early life in the pursuits of the farmer.

When the Civil War broke out, David was fourteen years of age. Disregarding the faith and teaching of his church, he heeded the call to arms and, in 1863, on the 8th day of September, a few months over sixteen years of age, he enlisted in the 12th Ohio Cavalry. Afterward he saw service at the front and also experienced the horrors of life as a prisoner of war. On the 10th of June, 1865, he was honorably discharged from the Union army at Camp Chase, Ohio, a physical wreck, brought on by starvation and exposure by his incarceration in the Libby prison.

In 1869 David Whinery traveled westward from the land of his forbearers and came to the virgin state of Kansas. Here he found the country of his dreams, took up a claim and “batched” four years. In 1875, he returned to Ohio and married the girl of his choice, Miss Arabella Coffee. Returning to Kansas with his young bride they settled in 1883 on the farm four miles southeast of Altoona, now in his name, living there until 1903. To David and Arabella were born four children, Myrtle M. and Leora dying in infancy, Mrs. Levina Demmon, of Pittsburg, Kansas and Howard D, of Altoona, remain to mourn the departure of their father. Mr. and Mrs. Whinery removed from their farm in the year of 1903 to Altoona, where they have continuously lived, until death overtook them, Mrs. Whinery preceding her husband into the Great Beyond by six months and ten days.

In the death of David Whinery, this community loses one of its best citizens, and a man, who has, by patriotic thrift and indefatigable industry helped to place the name of Kansas among the foremost states of the nation. He was a member of the G. A. R. and Masonic orders. He was a good neighbor, an indulgent father and a true and constant husband.

He died at the home of his daughter Mrs. Levina Demmon. Surrounding his death-bed were Mr. and Mrs. Demmon, his son, Howard, and his grandchildren, Roy Demmon, Mrs. Nellie Walker and Mrs. Grace Cochran. He also leaves behind him four other grandchildren, Everette, Roxie, Kenneth and Edith Whinery.

Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church in Altoona, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Bradner E. Wells. The Masonic order attended in a body and the beautiful ritual services were conducted at the grave. Interment was made in the Altoona cemetery. A stroke of paralysis was the cause of his death.

CONTRIBUTED.