JAMES MOLESWORTH

The Olathe Mirror, Thursday, Feb. 15, 1917, Pg. 1

Death of Dr. J. Molesworth.

  Dr. J. Molesworth died at his home on West Santa Fe street in Olathe, February 7, 1917.  Dr. Molesworth had been failing in health for some time, but was only confined to his house since December 12.  He was aged 72 years, two months and 27 days.

  James Molesworth was born in Harrison county, near Tippecanoe, Ohio, November 11, 1844.  He was the second son of Augustus and Mary Jane Smith Molesworth.  He lived with his parents in his native state until 1855, when they came as far west as Iowa settling in Marion county.  He helped with the work on the farm and went to school whenever he had an opportunity, gaining a fair education while a young man.

  He was married in July 1866 to Miss Elizabeth Harned in Marion county, Iowa.  To this union four children were born, two sons and two daughters.  The children are Sarah A., now wife of J. E. Willetts, Kewanee, Ill.; Arlene S. of Portland, Ore; H. Augustus, of Penalosa, Kan. and Martha E., now deceased.  In 1898 he was married to Isabell Roether, at Milford, Kan.  She with a daughter and two sons are left to mourn his passing.

  He was a veteran and performed valiant service for his country, serving about four years.  He enlisted September 1st, 1861, at Burlington, Iowa.  He was a member of the First Iowa battery being appointed corporal.  He was in every engagement in which the battery participated and was one of 608 to do so.  He was twice wounded.  He was mustered out July 5, 1865 at Davenport, Ia.

  In 1877 he was graduated from the Keokuk Medical college and with the exception of four years when he served at county superintendent of schools in Clark county, Iowa, he practiced medicine extensively in Iowa and Kansas.  He came to the latter state in 1886.  He first settled in Shaw, Kan. and practiced there several years.  He was afterwards located at St. Paul, Kan., and in Milford, Shawnee and Ocheltree, but on account of failing health had not practiced for some years.  He had been a resident of Olathe only since last March.

  He belonged to the Masonic order, being a member of Spring Hill, Kan. lodge No. 56.  He also belonged to the G. A. R. Post of Olathe, and was a true and loyal comrade and was never happier than when exchanging reminiscences with a comrade.

  The funeral was held from the home on Santa Fe street Saturday at 2:30.  The service was in charge of the Masonic and G. A. R.  The pall bearers were chosen from the G. A. R. Post.