#1-Published in the Pilot August 13, 1919

Mrs. Mary Newkirk died at her home across the street east of the court house at 12:40 last Friday morning from a complication of troubles following an attack of influenza last winter. She had been in bed nine weeks.

The funeral was held at the house a 2 o’clock Monday afternoon, Rev. W. H. Underwood officiating. The body was taken to the cemetery out near Orum for burial by the side of her husband, whose death occurred July 16, 1908. Her oldest son, Marshall, who died at the age of 46, and her youngest daughter, who was seven years old when she passed away, are also buried there.

Mary Catherine Wray was born in Medora, Ind., September 21st, 1839 and was therefore, in her 80th year. She grew to womanhood there and was married there to Clifton Hall Newkirk August 26th, 1864. Four years later they moved to this county, settling on a farm in Grant Township, which was their home until his death, when she moved to this city.

She is survived by six children, A. B. and A. V. Newkirk both live near Arlington; Marilla, wife of C. J. Robinson, of this city; Henry C. lives at Revina, S. D.; Vernon W., at Mr. Rose Minn.; and Lizzie is the wife of Dr. Wm. Pruner, of Omaha. She leaves two sisters, Mrs. Ananda Nixor, of Elwood, Ind., and one brother, Jas. G. Wray, of Muncie Ind., besides 19 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mrs. Newkirk was a member of the order of the Eastern Star and the burial service at the cemetery was in charge of this order. A good wife, mother and grandmother has passed over but her energy and devotion has made a place for her in the hearts of all that knew her.

#2-Published in the Enterprise August 15, 1919

Mrs. Mary Newkirk passed away Friday morning, August 8, after a long illness, at the age of nearly eighty years. Mary Wray was born in Jackson Co. Indiana, Sept. 21, 1839 and came to Nebr. with her husband in 1868, homesteading in Grant Township where they lived for many years. She moved to Blair after the death of Mr. Newkirk, some sixteen years ago and has made her home near her daughter Mrs. Chas. Robinson in east Blair. The funeral services were held on last Monday afternoon with interment at Orum. Rev. Underwood had charge of the funeral services together with members of the Eastern Star of which organization she was a member.

She leaves six children to mourn the loss of a good mother. They are Mrs. Chas. Robinson of Blair, Mrs. Elizabeth Pruner of Omaha, Boone and Edward of Orum, Henry of So. Dakota and Vernon of Minn.

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public library.