Home > United States of America > Iowa > Fayette County > Oak Lawn Cemetery > William Henry “Will” LaFurge Sr.

William Henry “Will” LaFurge Sr.

Birth	:	1838 Prince Edward Island, Canada
Death	:	7 Nov 1874 West Union, Fayette County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.9986000, -91.9666977
Plot	:	#92
Description	:	Alternate Name Spellings: Lefurgey, Lefurgy, Lefurgee LaFurge, LaForgee, all of which are variants of the original french name of "de LaForge" [translation: blacksmith]. William Henry was born a Lefurgey' in Canada but died and was buried a 'LaFurge' in Iowa. As his Iowa persona is recorded most often as LaFurge, and his wife and most of his children are known as Lafurge, he will be so recorded here. Homer E. Lefurgey, the first born child was ultimately the only child that remained true to the LeFurgey name. Family tradition holds that he was determined... Read More	Alternate Name Spellings: Lefurgey, Lefurgy, Lefurgee LaFurge, LaForgee, all of which are variants of the original french name of "de LaForge" [translation: blacksmith]. William Henry was born a Lefurgey' in Canada but died and was buried a 'LaFurge' in Iowa. As his Iowa persona is recorded most often as LaFurge, and his wife and most of his children are known as Lafurge, he will be so recorded here. Homer E. Lefurgey, the first born child was ultimately the only child that remained true to the LeFurgey name. Family tradition holds that he was determined to keep the name in order that he be easily found when the PEI family inheritances were 'divvied up'! All the sons were recorded as LeFurgey in early adulthood, but reverted to LaFurge at some point. The story persists that all the new brides, three of whom were Cramotte sisters of French heritage, preferred the more traditional 'Lafurge'. NATURALIZED: 12 SEP 1868 Iliinois Northern District L162 William LAFURGEY Rec. # 2 p. 225 District, Fayette, West Union IA Birth or ALLEGIANCE: England Considering the above inclusion of 'England' for 'birth or allegiance': Family members, even to this day, refer to allegiance to the King of England as the reason that the family remained Loyal and were then shipped to Nova Scotia with the Westchester Loyalists. I can only wonder if this sense of allegiance to King George, almost 100 years later, overpowered place of birth in making the above choice on the naturalization papers. OBITUARY: WEST UNION GAZETTE / WEST UNION IA / 13NOV1874 DIED: LaFURGE--In Windsor, Saturday evening, Nov. 7th, from injuries received in the destruction of his home by a tornado. William Lafurge was almost instantly killed. Mr. L. leaves an affectionate companion and six children to mourn their loss which they deeply feel. Mr. L. was a worthy husband and father, and as a citizen was highly esteemed by all who knew him, as was fully expressed upon the funeral occasion, by a very large congregation which join in sympathy with the kind family and friends in this their extreme affliction. Funeral service was held on Monday, by Rev. R. D. McCormack, of this city. ************************************************ ESTATES OF DECEDENTS AND RECORDS OF HEIRS: DECEDENT:William Lafurge DATE OF DEATH: Nov 7, 1874 NAME OF WIDOW: Lorena Lafurge 32 Windsor Town HEIRS: Homer Lafurge 13 Frank E. Lafurge 11 Retty Jane Lafurge 9; [Elizabeth Jane Lafurge, AKA Ritta] Hetty Bell Lafurge 6; [possible variant of Mehitable] James Warren Lafurge 2 George Walter Lafurge 2 [Unmentioned as still in utero: William Henry Lafurge jr.] ************************************************ WEST UNION GAZETTE C.H TALMADGE, EDITOR WEST UNION, IOWA NOV. 13, 1874 A TERRIBLE TORNADO DESTRUCTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY The warm genial sunshine of Saturday was, a day almost oppressive with heat, so very unlike the usual November days in Iowa as to be universally remarked, was followed by a night wind, rain and hail, accompanied by sharp, rapid lightening and sudden thunder. The wind and storm increased until about 9 o'clock, when it reached the height of its power, culminating in a tornado or whirlwind, passing from south-west to north-east through the southeast corner of Bethel and northwestern corner of Windsor--from seven to ten miles west of here. The first point we hear of damage was at the residence of Peter Berger, on the Wilson's Grove road. His house was partially unroofed and moved entirely from its foundation. His hay and fences were distributed promiscuously along the path of the wind. Rev. Mr Clark was passing the night at Mr. Berger's, and his buggy went where no man listeth, a wheel full of broken spokes only being left to tell the tale. One of Mr Berger's cows lost a horn, and if the wind did not blow it off we do not know what did. From there the track of the storm is plainly discerned by the debris of fences, but no other material damage resulted until it struck the residence of Wm Lafurge, on Section 8, in Windsor. Mrs L. and the six children were in bed, and as the wind struck the building it blew in an upper window. A little son called for assistance and the father was ascending the stairs when the house was lifted into the air and carried a distance of 60 feet, falling with such a force as to crush it into a dense mass of rubbish--as a boy would crush a house of cardboard. Mrs. Lafurge recovered her presence of mind instantly, and soon, by their crying and the aid of flashes of lightning, gathered together the children, and wrapped them in such articles of bedding as she could find. But where was the husband? She soon distinguished groans, and on approaching the spot from whence they came, found him lying upon the ruins of the stove, with fire under and on him--his back broken, both legs and one arm fractured and otherwise bruised and burned. She lifted him to the ground, and started to a neighbors for assistance. He died within two hours. Mrs. Lafurge and three of the children were more or less injured, none fatally unless it be a little girl who was hurt internally. It is really wonderful that any of the family escaped alive. It would be utterly impossible to give a description of the appearance of the ruins of this house. It should be seen to be appreciated. The roof has gone beyond recovery--whether carried off intact or torn to pieces beyond recognition. The upper floors and a portion of the sides lie in a heap where they fell, while the sills and part of the lower floor were carried 40 feet beyond. The sills were of heavy hewn timber and the sleepers were of logs a foot in diameter. It would seem as if the house turned a complete sumersault, and as it struck, the sills went on with the wind. A grainery here, containing 200 bushels of wheat and 100 of oats, was moved twenty feet. Hay and straw were scattered, the trees surrounding the place being filled with them. It only required an instant of time to do all this, when the wind went on its way, leveling everything in its track. Arriving at Frank Downs, it tore the roof from the dwelling, and went on to the log house owned by Thos. Sears and occupied by Joshua Winks. A part of the roof was removed, and a lean-to in which slept Mr. Wink's mother and a boy, was torn from its fastenings, and occupants unceremoniously set out into the damp and darkness. The boy didn't stop to question the whys and wherefores, but started immediately to the nearest neighbors who he routed out by crying "fire". In the meantime, his parents found the old lady, and in greatest anguish were searching for him. He speedily returned and put on some clothes. Mrs. Winks suffered quite severe injuries, for an old lady, but it is thought that nothing serious will result. Dr. Darnall was summoned to the neighborhood immediately, and is now giving the injured ones the best of medical attendance. The saddest part of this terrible affair is that of the Lafurge family. The husband and father is thus, without a moments warning, torn from their home and all its contents destroyed, leaving them entirely destitute, not even in possession of the clothing they wore an hour previous. Far from rich in this world's goods before, what little they had Saturday afternoon was taken from them Sunday evening. There never was a fitter occasion for a deed of charity, and we are pleased to learn that a movement for relief is already afoot among the many noble men and women of that vicinity; and we have no doubt they will find open hearts and hands wherever they ask for contributions in behalf of so worthy a cause. NOTE: Cemetery records indicate a birthdate of 1838, yet all census records indicate a date of 1828. Stones don't always reflect the truth. If they could talk, that might not be true, but as long as they depend on the hand of man, there will always be the potential for mistakes! Additional Note: Neighbor Frank Downs was a first cousin of Lorena Pratt LaFurge being the eldest son of her mother's (Susan Chesley Pratt) sister, Margaret Almira Chelsey Downs.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Henry “Will” LaFurge Sr.'s memorial?
William Henry “Will” LaFurge Sr.'s memorial is located at: Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fayette County, USA.
When did William Henry “Will” LaFurge Sr. death?
William Henry “Will” LaFurge Sr. death on 7 Nov 1874 in West Union, Fayette County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Henry “Will” LaFurge Sr.'s memorial?
Latitude: 42.9986000
Longitude: -91.9666977

Family Members:

Spouse

Sarah Lorena Pratt LaFurge

(1842 - 1914)

Children

Homer Eugene Le Furgey

(1861 - 1932)

Rita Jane LaFurge Burling

(1865 - 1937)

Hettie Belle LaFurge Mayo

(1868 - 1946)

William Henry “Bill” LaFURGE Jr.

(1875 - 1965)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Oak Lawn Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9986000, -91.9666977

2. Pitts Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9900017, -91.9708023

3. Eden Cemetery
Saint Lucas, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0307999, -91.9621964

4. Eden Cemetery
Waucoma, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0308960, -91.9622370

5. Bethel Cemetery
Hawkeye, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9803009, -92.0218964

6. Windsor Cemetery
Hawkeye, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9644012, -91.9225006

7. Alpha Cemetery
Alpha, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0057983, -92.0428009

8. Hawkeye Cemetery
Hawkeye, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9397011, -91.9357986

9. Saint Lukes Catholic Cemetery
Saint Lucas, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0660000, -91.9296000

10. Saint Marys Cemetery
Waucoma, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0583000, -92.0255966

11. Oak Ridge Cemetery
Auburn Township, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0155983, -91.8683014

12. Waucoma Cemetery
Waucoma, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0586014, -92.0271988

13. Richfield Cemetery
Richfield, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9507400, -92.0636700

14. Boale Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9935700, -91.8451900

15. Saint Johns Lutheran Cemetery
Chickasaw County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0269480, -92.0976470

16. South Windsor Cemetery
Donnan, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9211006, -91.8747025

17. Saint Rose Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0786018, -92.0678024

18. Saint Petr Kirchof
Eldorado, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0572014, -91.8352966

19. Saint Anthony of Padua Chapel Cemetery
Festina, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0996000, -91.8935000

20. Stapleton Township Cemetery
Fredericksburg, Chickasaw County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0084000, -92.1259000

21. West Union Cemetery
West Union, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9611000, -91.8151600

22. Dover Township Cemetery
Dover Township, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0708008, -91.8392029

23. Young Cemetery
Washington Township, Winneshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1102982, -91.9131012

24. Prairie View Cemetery
Fayette, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8993580, -91.8330000