Another one of Washington county’s pioneers answered the final roll call, when Joseph Melvard passed from this life about noon January 11th at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Peters, with whom he had lived for the last 8 years. The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Methodist church with Rev. A.J. Edgar officiating. His text was the 23rd Psalm. A mixed quartette sang, “Lead, Kindly Light” and “Nearer My God to Thee.” The pall bearers were Paul Meyer, John Echtenkamp, Don C. Weber, Frank Wolf, Mike Robinson and J.D. Newcom. There were a number of beautiful floral offerings.

Mr. Melvard was born in Bohemia in June 1830, so was nearly 90 years of age at the time of his death. He grew to manhood in Bohemia and married there. A few years later he came to America, coming at once to Arlington, then known as Belle Creek. After three years he sent for his family and Arlington has been his home all these years. His wife passed away sixteen years ago.

They had reared a family of eight children, six of whom are now left to mourn the passing of their father. They are Mrs. Leonard Werz, of California; Mrs. William Olson, of Hartington, Neb., both of whom were unable to be present at the funeral; Mrs. Henry Peters; Lou and Ralph Melvard of Arlington; and Will, of Omaha. There are also twenty grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Mr. Melvard had been unusually strong and active for one of his advanced age, but about a week ago contracted a heavy cold, which he could not throw off. He was a quiet pleasant man with a friendly nature and will be greatly missed by a circle of friends and neighbors as well as by his immediate family. Burial was in the family lot in the Arlington cemetery.

#2-24 Jan., 1929 - The Tribune

Joseph Melvard, one of Arlington’s oldest residents, died Friday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Peters, after an illness of a week’s duration with influenza. Mr. Melvard was born in Bohemia in 1837 and came to America in his early married life, and settled in Arlington. Three years after his arrival in this country he sent to Bohemia for his wife and children, and since then has made his home in this community. The surviving children are: Mrs. Leonard Hertz, California, Mrs. Wm. Olson of Hartington, Mrs. Henry Peters, Arlington, Lou Melvard, Arlington, Will Melvard and Ralph Melvard of Omaha.

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

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