MARRS, William James - b. March 2, 1857 - d. March 1916

[ddurbin]

(from THE HOWARD COURANT  March 9, 1916)

WM. MARRS KILLED
Prosperous Farmer Meets Death This Morning

Just as we are going to press, we hear of the sudden death of William Marrs who for some years has lived on a farm just northwest of Howard.  We can gather no particulars at this time, but we learn that he was driving some young un-broke horses hitched to a manure spreader.  No one witnessed the accident, but it is believed the horses ran away with the spreader and that Mr. Marrs was thrown out, and striking on his head, was instantly killed.

Mr. Marrs was about 60, and a good citizen and universally respected.  He leaves a wife and several children, some grown and married.
...
(from THE HOWARD COURANT,  March 16, 1916)


William James Marrs was born in the state of Mississippi, March 2, 1857.  When yet a child he with his parents moved to St. Louis, Mo., and about the year 1860 they came to this state, being a resident since that time.

He was united in marriage with Evelyn Whitmore, then of Salina, Kansas, in the year 1889.  There were born to them seven children, two of whom died in infancy.  The five remaining--Dr. Marrs, of Moline, Mrs. Oscar Haile, Willie, Harriet and Robert Marrs, with their mother survive him.

Mr. Marrs became a member of the Christian church during the early years of his life and when he came to Howard he entered, readily into cooperation with the congregation of his place and continued therewith, being at the time of his death an Elder and a faithful teacher of a class of boys in the bible school.  His sudden death was a shock to his brethen and friends and they will sadly miss his presence and fellowship.

The funeral services were very fittingly conducted from the place of his congregational devotions.  Mr. Seemis, minister of the Christian Church at Moline, assisted A. P. Sherman, the minister of the church here, and a multitude of freiends and neighbors evidenced their regards for him and at the same time their sorrow that our brother should be called from us.

May the "Spirit" speak its consolation:  "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, saith the spirit, they may rest from their labors:  and thier works do follow them" Rev. 14: 13