Buffalo County Journal, Alma, WI Thursday Nov 28, 1935 WILLIAM DELANCY LOCKARD
Misha Moka people as well as those of the vicinity of Alma and Nelson feel that
they have lost an old friend and respected citizen by the death of William D.
Lockard, who for so many years was known to them as a kind and venerable old
man, a good friend and considerate neighbor, and a man dearly devoted to his
family. During the last few years of his life in the Iron Creek Valley the
weight of years kept him more closely to his home, but before that he was one of
the familiar and well liked characters of the several communities above
mentioned. While his occupation the greater part of his life was farming for
some years past he devoted much of his time to the lighter task of bee keeping
and became much attached to his friends the bees; in fact, he was for a time one
of the leading producers of honey in the county, some years marketing as much as
four or five tons of this healthful and wholesome sweet food product. William
Delancey Lockard was born November 3, 1848 in St. Lawrence county, Pennsylvania,
a son of Samuel Lockard and Darkess Nuton, both dead. His early life was spent
in Pennsylvania working in coal mines and smelting works. He was united in
marriage with Hannah Best, November 20, 1867 and came to Wisconsin in 1868 with
his wife and one daughter, Jane, taking a homestead in Iron Creek, town Nelson.
He lived here for a short time, then moving to Trout Creek where he lived for
several years. From there he moved to Nelson where he operated a saloon for four
years. He then purchased the Jacob Young farm in Iron Creek where he lived until
the death of his only son, Edward. From there he moved to Misha Mokwa where he
took up keeping bees. This he did successfully until one year ago when he was
forced to retire on account of old age. After the death of his wife Oct. 16,
1930, he again moved to Iron Creek on his farm with his daughter, Mrs. Louis
Wiegele. There he was cared for until five weeks before his death when he was
taken to the St. Elizabeth hospital at Wabasha, MN where he departed from life
November 21, 1935. His life work was mostly farming. Mr. and Mrs. Lockard lived
together for 63 years celebrating their golden wedding over ten years ago. They
lived happily until Mrs. Lockard passed away Oct. 16, 1930. Mr. Lockard was
taken to Misha Mokwa to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Edward Aitken, where the
funeral was held Sunday, November 24, and also from the Union Church at Nelson.
Rev. Weaver of the Methodist church, Durand, preached the funeral service.
Burial was made in the Nelson cemetery. Songs were rendered by the Nelson choir.
Pallbearers were six grandsons: Robert Aitken, Walter Hess, Albert Hess, Joseph,
Louis and Lester Wiegele. The surviving relatives are three daughters, Drusilla,
Mrs. Edward Aitken, Permilla, Mrs. Edwin Hess and Emma, Mrs. Louis Wiegele, all
of town Nelson. One daughter, Jane, Mrs. Archie Moore and one son, Edward,
preceded him to the grave. One daughter, Flora, died in infancy. He has also
surviving thirty grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and 8
great-great-grandchildren. Persons who attended from a distance, who attended
the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Andy Dahl, Mrs. Frank Barto, Eau Claire; Mr. and
Mrs. Joseph Wiegele, Miss Lavina Wiegele, Minneapolis and Mrs. Charles Wiegele,
Wabasha.