Stillwater Valley News
June 17, 1931
Highly Respected Farmer Succumbs Monday Near Here
Joseph DeFrees Dies; Born in Covington, Well-known Farmer, Dies At His Home On The P. P. O. O. Highway Monday Night At Advanced Age of 84 - Funeral Set For Thursday.
Joseph DeFrees, 84 years of age, well known and highly respected farmer and active in the Democratic party for many years, died Monday night at 10:45 o'clock at his home on the Covington pike after an illness of four weeks.
Born on February 21, 1847, in Covington, Ohio, Mr. DeFrees had been a resident on the farm where his death occurred for the past 81 years. His father, George DeFrees, was one of the early influential citizens of Piqua and the old DeFrees homestead stood on the corner of Ash and Downing streets at the site now occupied by the Logan A. Fraizer residence. The family was among the early pioneer settlers of the country.
Mr. DeFrees served during the Civil War as a member of the 147th Regiment, O. V. I. And has since interested himself in the G. A. R.'s being affiliated with the Alexander Mitchell Post. He was a picturesque and lovable character with a wealth of anecdotes of the many amusing and interesting incidents of a long and colorful career. A staunch democrat, he was a member from Miami County at the 3rd Ohio Constitutional Convention twenty years ago. Among his talents, Mr. DeFrees was something of an artist, painting exceptionally well in oil.
His wife preceded him in death many years ago and a beloved daughter, Mrs. Daniel Little of Oklahoma, who before her marriage was Miss Helen DeFrees, passed away only eleven months ago, her death bringing a sorrow to her father from which he never recovered. Another daughter, Mrs. Bessie DeSilver of Cincinnati, is his only immediate survivor.
Funeral services will be held at the late home on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock with burial at Forrest Hill Cemetery.
Add on:
P. P. O. O. once stood for "Pikes Peak, Ocean to Ocean" Highway.
It is today U S Route 36, running east and west through Miami County.
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