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- The Russell Union-Tribune, December 23, 1943
Clifton Elmer Werts, son of John Jackson and Esther Ann Werts, was born at Russell, Iowa, October 12, 1868 and passed away suddenly at Bartow, Florida December 11, 1943, at age 75 years, 1 month and 29 days.
In early life he united with the Presbyterian church at Russell, later transferring his membership, with his wife, to the Methodist church where he was a faithful and active member.
He received his elementary education at Ragtown school, later attending Parsons College at Fairfield.
On March 14, 1889 at Russell, Ia., he was united in marriage to Clara Mae McCoy. They established their home on a farm south of Russell. They continued the farm life until 17 years ago and since that time, he and Mrs. Werts have traveled extensively in their house car. His interests were wide and varied and many times their children or grandchildren accompanied them on one of their trips. Almost five years ago they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Florida among friends.
Into their home 7 children were born. Two having preceded him in death: Mary, dying in infancy and Charles Leonard, who was killed in an auto accident in Missouri on December 8, 1931.
Besides his sorrowing wife he leaves four sons and one daughter; Walter G. of Bloomfield, Ia., Mrs. Edith M. Lewis, Harvey R., Richard R. and Ralph W., all of near Russell.
He is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 5 of whom are in the armed services, 3 great grandchildren, 2 sisters, Mrs. Susie McCoy of Imperial, Nebr. and Mrs. Mabel Allen of Russell, 4 brothers, John Q. of Cameron, Wisc., Jacob L. of Garland, Wyo., Charles M. of Des Moines and Oliver O. of Russell. There are also a large number of other relatives and friends.
Largely attended services were held at the Russell Methodist church, Sunday, December 19 at 2 o'clock p.m. conducted by the Rev. A. E. Beals assisted by Rev. David Ash. Interment was in the Russell cemetery.
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From the book: The John Jackson and Esther Ann Werts Family History, compiled by Philip W. Allen, 1994
Clifton Elmer Werts was born October 12, 1868 at Russell, Lucas County, Iowa, died December 11, 1943 and was married March 14, 1889 to Clara Mae McCoy who was born November 17, 1869 at LaGrange, Lucas County, Iowa and died March 26, 1950. Clifton was the son of John Jackson Werts and Esther Ann Wymer. Clara was the daughter of David Jones McCoy, a Civil War Veteran, and Ann Maria Kells. Clifton was reared on the family farm appr. three miles southwest of Russell in Section 12 of Benton Township. He attended the elementary Ragtown School in Benton Township and later completed a course in English from Parsons College at Fairfield in 1888. He continued to help farm the family homestead for a few years after his marriage and during those years, the couples first four children, Mary, Walter, Edith and Harvey were born. In September of 1895, Clifton purchased a 140 acre farm in Sections 8 and 9 of Washington Township from Iven Lodge and in the spring of 1896, he moved his family to the newly purchased farm. The farm was appr. two and one-half miles southeast of Russell. The three youngest children, Richard, Charles and Ralph were born on this farm. A few years later, around 1909, Mr. Werts purchased a White steam car, his first automobile.
In the spring of 1917, he expanded his farm operations and purchased from Jeff McKinley the 160 acre farm directly north of his first owned farm. He moved his family into this farm home and Clifton and Clara lived here until their retirement. Again, in the mid-20s, he added to his acreage by purchasing a 160 acre farm from Tom O'Donnell which was north of and adjacent to the McKinley farm. Around 1930, he added the "Hancock" acreage and he eventually owned a total of 620 acres of farm land in Sections 5,8 and 9 of Washington Township. although Mr. Werts retired in 1926, his farms remained in the Werts family to the present time.
After Clifton Werts retirement, his farms were operated by two of his sons, Richard who lived on the north farm and Ralph who lived on the middle farm. In 1939, Richard purchased and moved to the 160 acre Spurling farm locate three and one-half miles east of Russell on the Bluegrass Road. Ralph then continued to operate all three farms for his father with hired help who lived at the south farm. Ralph was living at the middle farm when he purchased this farm from his father in 1942. Later he added other land and when Ralph retired the farm consisted of 320 acres in Sections 8 and 9 in Washington Township. Upon Ralph's retirement, his son Burton became operator and later owner of this farm which is now named "Werts View". From this center location one can easily see all the Werts farms. The north Werts farm was sold by Clifton to his son Harvey in 1942 also. Harvey had farmed for years near Imperial, NE and then moved back to Lucas County in 1932 and farmed the Shaffer farm in Section 11 of Washington Township. Harvey then moved to the north farm and later added the "Hancock" acreage with other land to make a total of 320 acres in Sections 5 and 9 of Washington Township. When Harvey retired, his son Dale became operator and later owner of this north Werts farm. Dale built a new house here in 1966 and added another 200 acres to the farm.
The original 140 acres, south farm was sold after Clifton's death, to his son, Richard in 1945. This made Richard a total of 300 acres in Section 8, 9 and 10 in Washington Township. When Richard retired in 1965, the 140 acre, south farm was sold to his nephew, James (Jim) Werts, the son of Ralph. This particular Werts farm has been in the Werts family over 80 years (written in 1978) and today is known as "Wertsplace". The house was built by Mr. Lodge about 1869, has been kept in repair down through the years and Jim has added another 160 acres to the farm.
Dean Werts, son of Harvey, also farms in Washington township owning 345 acres in Section 4 and 28. He lives across the Bluegrass Road, northeast of the other Werts farms, in a new house built in 1973. Dean was one of the first owners of a self-propelled combine in Lucas County and has done custom combining for many years in lucas and neighboring counties. Brent Werts, a great-grandson of Clifton, farms with his father Burdette, son of Harvey, across the county line to the south. Werts farming is an established and continuing tradition of Lucas County History.
Although Clifton Elmer Wets was primarily a farmer, his creative mind was fascinated with machinery and he used this interest to expedite his farming operations. For example, in 1905 he mounted two gasoline engines on a wagon which he pulle with a team of horses. Working with Nick Ewald who had a separator, he threshed all over Lucas County and into Monroe County. Clifton finally purchased two of his own threshing machines and his sons, Richard and Ralph continued to operate them after Clifton retired in 1926. Clifton's fascination with machinery enabled him to assemble one of the first gasoline tractors in Lucas County. It had a 2-cylinder and it was used for threshing grain and sawing wood. This same tractor was used to open a section of the Bluegrass Road from Russell to Melrose with C. D. Smith operating the grader. Clifton continued to grade roads for Lucas County during the years of 1916-1921 by using his own tractor and pulling two county graders. In 1932, his creative mind was at work again. This time, he invented the Werts Pipe-Laying Machine. With his pipe-laying machine, Mr. Werts laid pipe for many farmers n Lucas County.
During these busy farm years, Clifton Werts took time to serve his community. He was a participant in the town band and was the Washington Township Assessor for many years. In his early life, he had been a member of the Presbyterian Church at Russell. Upon marriage, he transferred his membership to the Russell Methodist Church where he sang in the church choir and his family became faithful and active members.
As the time came for Mr. Werts to retire, he used his inventive mind to build a motor home for traveling. This vehicle was built in 1926. A living area was constructed on a Willys-Knight car chassis which had been purchased from C. D. Smith. This home-on-wheels became known as the "Gad-A-Bout" among their "Tin-Can-Tourists" friends in Florida, Texas or California and summers were spent in the North. In 1935, Clifton built a new and larger motor home using a 1935 Ford Truck chassis with a long wheel base to carry the living quarters. Mr. and Mrs. Werts continued to travel and their "home made" motor homes took them to every state in the Union, Canada and Mexico during a 19 year period. During Mrs. Werts widowed years, she lived with her children until her death.
The Clifton Elmer Werts family has descended until there are now great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. John Jackson Werts and his descendants including those descended through Clifton Elmer Werts represent six Werts generations and more than 113 years of Werts farm ownership and werts residency in Lucas County, Iowa
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1868 - 1943
