Centerville Daily Iowegian & Daily Citizen
Centerville, Iowa
May 9, 1936

PIONEER WOMAN OF CENTERVILLE TAKEN BY DEATH
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Passing of Mrs. Xenia A. Brough Brings Sorrow To A Wide Circle Of Friends
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Mrs. Xenia A. Brough, long time and loved resident of Centerville died at her home at 512 East Jackson street, Friday afternoon at 5:45 o'clock. Mrs. Brough was a pioneer of this city, her father being Dr. G. S. Stansberry, one of the early physicians of this vicinity, whose residence once stood on South Main street at the rear of the present Centerville National Bank.

Mrs. Brough became a Christian in early womanhood and was consistent throughout her life, always living for others in untold deeds of kindness and love. She had a life membership in the W. C. T. U. and one of the charter members of Anna Rebekah lodge No 95 and was one of the early members of the Christian Missionary Society.

Mrs. Brough's death followed that of her husband's exactly one quarter of a century, her demise occurring on May 8, 1936 and his on May 8, 1911. Mr. Brough was a former hardware merchant and was at one time associated in the firm here of Williams and Brough. They were united in marriage November 1, 1866.

The deceased was born in New Hope, Brown county, Ohio, March 31, 1849, and came to Iowa in 1852. Her parents Amanda Knight Stansberry and Dr. G. s. Stansberry passed away July 9, 1852 and May 6, 1916, respectively. The family consisted of five sisters and four brothers as follows: Augusta MaMahen deceased, Mrs. Ella Davis of Milan , Mo., Mrs. Stella Morrow, of McClede, Mo. and Grace Morrow of Dean; Dr. D. Stansberry of Genoa, Wisc., Charles, Will and Carl Stansberry of Moulton.

There were five children, Lillian who died in infancy, and four living as follows, Beatrice Vollmer, of Long Beach, Calif.; Lelah Flint of Centerville; Blanche McCrary of Des Moines and Nellie Buck of Centerville, with whom Mrs. Brough had made her home for several years.

There were eight grandchildren, three of whom preceded her in death, and the five living are, W. J. Volmer, of Riverside, Calif., Ashley J. Vollmer, Long Beach, Calif.; John C. McCrary of Mason City; Robert H. McCrary of Des Moines and Xenia Flint of Centerville.

Six great-grandchildren are: Kenneth Vollmer, Mrs. Lelah Sickelsteel and Shirley Vollmer of riverside, Calif.; Mrs. Thelma Gaston, Joy and Bobby McCrary of Des Moines, and one great- great- grandson, Glen Sicklesteel of Riverside, Calif.

Tentative plans for the service are for 3 o'clock Monday afternoon from the Beckner funeral home.

Because of the long and splendid life of the deceased in this community Mrs. Brough's death brings sorrow to a host of friends and relatives, by all of whom she was loved and respected and her greatest tribute perhaps lies in the fact that those that came in contact with her and better because of having known this woman of splendid character.

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Centerville Daily Iowegian & Citizen
Centerville, Iowa
January 10, 1934




Brough - Stansberry Family Figure In Early Events


John G. Brough, born in Madison Co., Ohio, 1844, removed to Appanoose county, Iowa, 1853, in 1853 settling 4 miles west of Centerville. The square was then a hazel patch, with a few scattered houses. Mr. Brough worked as a water boy for 25 days for the men who excavated the place for the Howell building on the south side of the square.

Later he learned the tinner's trade of J. W. Williams, and worked with him five years. he then engaged in the hardware, stoves and tin ware business. He married Xenia A. Stansberry Nov. 1. 1866.

Mr. Brough spent the greater part of his life in Centerville and passed away at Centerville, May 8, 1911.

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DR. G. S. Stansberry

Mrs. Xenia A. Brough, was born in New Hope, Brown County, Ohio, March 31, 1849, now 84 years old, and came to Iowa with her parents, Dr. G. S. Stansberry in 1852, and settled in Wells township in what school. The building *wk z is now know attended country schools made of logs,the seats also of logs split and 4 pegs put in for legs and the writing desks were pegs driven in the wall with planks laid on for tops. at the age of 15 years she moved with her parents to Centerville and lived in a small 4 room brick house south of the Centerville National Bank where McIntire's Shoe Shop is now located. Nov. 1, 1866 she married J. G. Brough, who was a tinner with J. W. Williams, afterwards owned and operated a hardware and tin shop located where the Centerville National Bank is now. Mrs. Brough is the mother of five daughters, the youngest dying in infancy. The others are Mrs. Beatrice Vollmer of Bellflower, California, Mrs. Lelah Flint, of Centerville, Blanche McCrary, des Moines and Mrs. Nellie Buck of Centerville.

Mrs. Stansberry is the only child of Dr. G.S. and Amanda Stansberry, her mother passing away in 1853. her father remarried in 1854. He operated a store at Wells Mills and followed his profession in Hilltown. He served from 1864 - 1868 as county treasurer of Appanoose county. Then moved to a farm near Dean, Iowa, where his younger daughter now lives. He continued to practice medicine until age forced him to retire, going most of the time on horseback.

He passed away in May 1916, at the age of 91 years.

Nellie Brough Buck

Nellie Brough- Buck was born in Centerville, on Washington street, on the location on the N. C. Craig home, Aug. 1, 1876, now 57 years old, daughter of J. G. and Xenia A. Brough. She attended public schools here and graduated in 1896. She clerked for over twenty five years for the following firms, Bee Hives, Latimer's City Book Store, Frankle's and Strickler Bros. Marries Geo. E. Buck, May 4, 1922.

George E. Buck

George E. Buck, youngest son of Eli and Sarah J. Buck, of Cincinnati, was born March 7, 1877 in Cincinnati. the house is still standing just south of the Harry Gault residence. He attended public schools and graduated from Cincinnati high school in 1896. Coming to Centerville in 1922 when he was married on May 4 to Nellie O. Brough.