Parke County, Indiana
Obituaries (Mankin, Durr)
 


Obituary,
David Mankin
         David Mankin, the well known saloon keeper, died suddenly at his home in Rockville, Friday morning. He had been sick but a few hours, but no alarm was felt as it appeared to be only a passing indisposition. On Thursday he came from Montezuma, arriving just before dinner. He remarked to Mrs. Mankin that he was quite hungry and she began making some extra preparations for the meal. While awaiting for dinner Mr. Mankin left the house saying he would soon be back, but as he had not come when dinner was ready Mrs. Mankin went into the yard to look for him. She found him laying in the
hammock, and evidentially quit sick; but he said he would soon be all right. After a while he was able to came to the table and ate heartily. Nothing serious was noticed in his condition until sometime during the night, when he called his wife and said he was very sick. She did what she could with the remedies at hand, and he appeared much better. In the morning while laying in bed he began to talk in a jocular way, and while talking he suddenly seemed to struggle. Mrs. Mankin became alarmed; she tried to get him to speak but he would say nothing. She ran into the street for help and to have a physician called,
but before anybody came Mr. Mankin was dead.
         His death was similar to that of his father, Ashford Mankin who died sitting with a friend on the railroad south of town about thirty-five years ago.
         David Mankin was born in Columbiana County Ohio, October 13, 1842, and came with his father to Rockville in 1850, when he was about 8 years old. The family located on a farm southeast of town, where David continued to reside until about ten years ago. In 1862 he was a soldier in Co C,  78th Indiana and was under captain Tighman A. Howard. In about thirty days the company was captured, he was exchanged and came home. In 1863 he married Margaret O'Neal. Of their five children, Joseph, Edward, Frank and Mrs. Ollie Swaim are living. He was married a second time to Martha
Wilson who with their daughter Effie survive him. He died August 28, 1898 at 55 years, 10 months and 3 days. The funeral, Sunday afternoon, was largely attended, about 100 old soldiers being present, services by Rev. S.K. Fuson. Last June Mr. Mankin closed his Rockville saloon and has since been running one at Montezuma.

Abstract compiled from the Rockville Tribune, Thursday, Sept. 2, 1898, and other sources.
By Mike Woods.

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Obituary,
Martha Mankin:
            Mrs. Martha Mankin, mother of Effie Mankin, died May 6, 1928, at her daughters home in Rockville. She lived in Parke County since early youth and had many friends there. She was especially interested in the activities of the W.R.C. and the Baptist Church. Martha was born May 31, 1850 in Van Buren County, Arkansas. She moved at age 9 with her mother and three small children to Missouri, and then Indiana, in a covered wagon . She married David Mankin in 1877. Of two children one died in infancy. Mrs. Mankin was survived by her Daughter Effie May Mankin, and two stepsons, Joe of Montezuma and Frank of Hemet California. Services were held at the residence of the Reverend W.F. Smith, at 3 PM Tuesday. Members of the Baptist Church and W.R.C. were in charge of the funeral and interment was in the Rockville Cemetery.

Abstract compiled from The Rockville Tribune, Wednesday, May 9, 1928, and other sources.
By Mike Woods

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Obituary,
Effie Mankin Durr:
        Miss Effie Mankin Durr, 76, of Rockville, was found dead in her Rockville home Thursday, January 31, 1957, by her friend, Miss Lela Spencer.
         Miss Spencer had tried to call Effie on the phone a number of times Thursday morning and finally went to her house at about 12:30 and discovered her dead there. It was reported that she probably died late the previous day of a heart attack..
         As a retired nurse, "Miss Effie" was born in Parke County, October 3, 1880. She was the daughter of David Mankin and his second wife Martha Hale (Wilson) Mankin. She lived in Rockville all her life and went to school locally. She married late in life, 1935, to Sebastian Durr and moved to his farm outside Rockville until his death in 1952. She purchased the former home of George Batman on West York Street and lived there since. She was a member of the Guild and the Fidilis Sunday School of the Memorial Presbyterian Church.
         At the tender age of 10 years old she helped care for a neighbor lady and began her career as a practical nurse which she followed up until the time of her marriage to Mr. Durr. In those days nursing included housekeeping and she "endeared herself" to many families throughout the county with her efficient and cheerful service and friendship.
         Surviving are a niece, Mrs. Fred Machledt of Montezuma, and six nephews, Jack Mankin of Terre Haute, William Mankin of Memphis Tenn., Clyde Joe and Otto Mankin of California, and Paul Machledt of Montezuma.
         As she would want, simple but impressive funeral services were held Saturday at two O'clock at the Barnes Mortuary, Reverend Robert Baum presided and interment was at the Rockville Cemetery. Miss Mary Brown played the organ and the pall bearers were; Howard McFadden, Ray Ensey, Stanley and Robert Fisher, Bud Lee and Ellsworth Cloyd.

Abstract compiled from the Rockville Tribune, Thursday, Feb. 7, 1957, and other local accounts.
By Mike Woods

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Michael E. Woods
October 10, 1998
Last updated October 10, 1998Ver.1.0
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