Mrs. Malinda Harkins Obituary

Richmond Conservator, July 18, 1907

A Pioneer Citizen Dead

Mrs. Malinda Harkins, one of Ray county's pioneer women, died last
night at ten o'clock at the home of her niece, Mrs. Laura Williams, in
Swanwick.  The cause of her death was paralysis, with which she was
stricken last February, since which time she had been bedfast.  Mrs.
Harkins was a daughter of the late Joseph Ball and her death removes thelast member of that family of pioneer settlers.  The deceased was bornand raised in Ray county and her entire life of 83 years was spent inthis city and vicinity.  She was thrice married, all of her husbands
having preceded her in death.  She was the mother of one child who diedin infancy.

The funeral was held this afternoon at 2:30 at Todd's Chapel, conducted by Rev. W. L. Myers, of the Methodist church, of which denomination the deceased had been a member since her youth.  The burial occurred in the Todd's Chapel cemetery.

Ray County Republican, Thursday, July 18, 1907

Death of Mrs. Malinda Harkins

Died at the home of her niece, Mrs. Robert J. Williams, Wednesday
July 17, 1907, Mrs. Malinda Harkins, aged 83 years.
Funeral services were held today at 2:00 o'clock, conducted by Rev. W. L. Myers.  Internment in Todd's Cemetery.  The relatives have the sympathy of all in their bereavement.

This clipping was found in a scrapbook maintained by Mrs. Laura Williams, the niece of Malinda Harkins.  It is believed that Robert was her 3rd husband.

If anyone in Barton county has time to do some follow-ups, I would sure like to have more info.  I cannot find Robert or Malinda in the 1880 census.  Would love to have birth date & any inscription information on the headstone.  In spite of the reference to Malinda live her entire life in Ray, that is not accurate.  She lived with her parents in Polk county until her father died in Dade.  She lived with her sister Parthena, Laura William's mother, in Cedar county in 1850.  My uncle's records indicate that she also lived in Barton county.


Submitted by Shirley B on February 20, 2003.

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