ELTING, Edwin Willis - b. December 17, 1863 - d. October 21, 1954

[Roma Jean Turner]

     Edwin Willis Elting, son of Mr. and Mrs. William D. Elting, was born in Kankakee, Illinois, December 17, 1863, and passed away at Sedan, Kansas, October 21, 1954.  His mother died when he was quite small and he grew to manhood in the home of an uncle who operated a drug store in New York City, near Fordham College.  In the early Eighties he spent a year with his father and brother Van on a claim in the Dakotas, coming from there to Kansas, where he was employed in drug stores in Dexter and Burden.  He came to Moline in 1885 and the next year was married to Mary Lenore Dunlap.  To this union two children VAn V. and Roma were born.  With the exception of about a year spent in Winfield, Kansas and New York City, he operated a drug store in Moline from 1885 to 1911, when his building and stock of merchandise were destroyed in the big fire.  He rebuilt and leased the building and moved to K.C., Mo where he operated a drug store in the residential district for several years and later, with a partner, engaged in the same business at the corner of Independence and Walnut in downtown, K.C.  He was forced to leave Kansas City on account of his wife's health and after spending about a year in Moline he moved to Denver, Colorado, where he lived until the death of his wife in the early part of 1942.  Since that time he has made his home with his son-in-law, John W. Turner, and grandson, George E. Turner.
     Both of his children preceded him in death, Roma in 1925 and Van in 1941.  He leaves to mourn his passing a sister-in-law, Mrs. Hattie Randall of Los Angeles, California, a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Eula Elting of Springfield, Mo., a son-in-law John W. Turner of Moline, two grandsons, Van H. Elting of Lebanon, Mo and George E. Turner of Moline and four great grandchildren.
     Mr. Elting was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Masons supplied the pall bearers and contribued a beautiful floral offering.
     Ed Elting, along with such men as John Cleveland, Frank Webb, J.M.Johns, Geo. W. Reggi, E.E.Ames, E.E.Sawyer, George C. Armstrong, J.K. Glasscock, Geo. O. Harris, Herb and Shed Ellsworth, Jim and Lew Gill and the Long brothers to mention a few, had much to do with building and early prosperity of Moline.  He served on both the school board and the city council and was active in public affairs.  Returning to Moline some twelve years ago he enjoyed good health until the past few months and enjoyed taking long walks around the country.  He was by nature a very sociable man, but being handicapped during his late years by being hard of hearing he found it difficult to carry on a lengthy conversation with his friends and neighbors.
    Funeral Services were held from the Watt Funeral Home Chapel Sunday with Rev. O. W. Dewey officiating.  Burial in Moline Cemetery.
    Out of town relatives:  Mrs. Eula Elting, Springfield, Mo., Van H. Elting, wife and 3 sons Lebanon, Mo., Mrs. Chester Hale, Roma Turner and Mr. and Mrs. Arch Sommers, Chanute, Ks.