Another Pioneer Answers Call-James Stapleton, Pioneer and Civil War Veteran Called on Friday, August 5th After Long Illness. Man of High Character. – Funeral Held at Craig.

James Stapleton was born at Freeport, Ill. April 9th, 1848 and departed this life August 5th,1927 at his home in Blair, Nebr. aged 79 years, 4 months, and 24 days.

He came to Nebraska, with his parents, in the fall of 1856, and settled in Washington County. January 17th, 1865 he enlisted in the Army, Company H 1st Nebraska Cavalry, and served until the close of the Civil War, when he was honorably discharged. After returning home, he drove the stage between Cuming City and Decatur for several years, finally going to Omaha, where he drove a street car, until 1870, when he returned to Blair, and was united in marriage to Semira Warrick, October 18th, of that year. Ten children were born to this union. He is survived by his wife, and eight of the children, two having preceded him, a young son, James Iles, passing April 29th, 1889 and one daughter, Mrs. Margia Brooks, October 23rd, 1918. Those surviving are Charles A. of San Francisco, Cal.; Edward E. of Tekamah, Nebr.; Amasa M. of Craig, Nebr.; Harry C. of Wakefield, Nebr.; Grace Simon of Oakland, Nebr.; Mrs. June Titus of Craig, Nebr.; Mrs. Gayle Bennett of Sioux City, Iowa, and Mrs. Dayle Tornblad of Missouri Valley, Iowa. Twenty-one grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a host of friends and relatives remain to mourn his demise.

Mr. Stapleton, when a young man, united with the Baptist Church in Cuming City, Washington County, and has always remained a true Christian. Honest and straightforward in all his dealings, he built for himself a character that was above reproach.

In 1875, he moved his family to his farm near Craig, Nebraska, where his children grew to manhood and womanhood. Afterward moving into Craig, where he and his wife lived for a number of years. While at Craig, they placed their membership in the Christian Church at that place, where it remained until their removal to Blair in 1919 when they again transferred it to the Baptist Church of Blair.

Mr. Stapleton had been a patient sufferer for years, and while his loved ones mourn for him, they are thankful to an all wise God that has relieved him of all pain and suffering, and “promises Eternal life to his children”.

The funeral services were held Saturday, a short service being held at the home and another service later at Craig where the body was taken for interment.

# 2 Published in the August 11, 1927 - The Tribune

James Stapleton was born at Freeport, Illinois April 9th, 1848, and died at his home in Blair last Friday morning following a lingering illness of several years. The deceased came with his parents to Washington county, Nebraska when he was but eighteen years of age, and later enlisted in the Civil War where he served with the Nebraska Cavalry. After the close of the war he was married to Semira Warrick, and they moved to a farm near Craig, Nebraska, where they lived until 1919 when they removed to Blair. After a short service at the home on Saturday, the body was taken to Craig for burial. He leaves to mourn his loss, besides his wife, four sons, Charles of San Francisco, Calif., Edward of Tekamah, Amasa of Craig, and Harry of Wakefield; and four daughters, Mrs. Grace Simon of Oakland, Mrs. James Titus of Craig, Mrs. Gayle Bennett of Sioux City, Iowa, and Mrs. Dayle Tornblad of Missouri Valley.

#3 There is an additional obituary published in the Pilot August 10, 1927. It does not have any additional information.

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.