Boone County Democrat
May 31, 1907

Mrs. Rachel C. DeFore, another of the most highly honored pioneer residents of Boone County, passed to her reward at Puyallup, Washington, where she had been making her home the past few years, at 7:25 o'clock Sunday evening, May 26th. She was taken seriously ill several months ago and for a time her life was despaired of. She rallied, however, and appeared to be improving until a short time ago when she was taken worse again and sank rapidly until death relieved her of her sufferings. The message announcing her death came Monday morning, but her son, H.C. DeFore, had gone to West Side on business and did not receive the news until he returned home that evening. Mr. Henry Friedley, a brother of the deceased, was at the Northwestern depot purchasing a ticket to Puyallup, Washington, when the message came. He changed his plans and will remain in Boone until after the funeral. The message stated that her daughter, Mrs. Neff, would start with the remains for Boone Tuesday afternoon and they are expected to arrive here sometime today.
The funeral will be held Sunday at 10:30 o'clock from the First Baptist church, Rev. George Heaps officiating, assisted by Rev. C. E. Tingley, the pastor, and the remains will be laid to rest in the Mineral Ridge cemetery beside those of her husband, who preceded her to the better world on Nov. 7, 1887, at the age of sixty one years.
Rachel C. Friedley was born in Clay County, Indiana in 1829 and was in her 78th year at the time of her death. She grew to young womanhood in her native state and was there united in marriage to Mr. Willis L. DeFore. Shortly after their marriage in 1849, Mr. DeFore came to Iowa and settled in Polk County where he engaged for a time in splitting rails. He returned to Indiana and again in 1851 came with his family to Boone county and settled on a farm in Dodge township, where from a very small beginning he in time became one of the largest land holders and wealthiest farmers in the county. He also engaged in freighting on an extensive scale. Mr. DeFore was one of the original promoters of the old Grange and was always active in advancing agricultural interests. He had the honor of representing his district in the Fiftieth General Assembly of Iowa, and in 1862, enlisted in the thirty Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served through the war with credit and distinction. During all those years of struggle and hardship Mrs. DeFore was ever a patient and faithful helpmeet to her husband. A loyal friend and a generous and kindly neighbor, who by her simple life and kindly character won the lasting esteem and love of all who came to know her and her death, will be sincerely mourned by the entire community and especially by the older residents who knew her best.
To Mr. and Mrs. DeFore were born ten children, three of whom, with the husband and father, have preceded her in death, Edwin in infancy, Chas. A. in 1877, at the age of twenty one, Daniel at the age of two and one half years and the husband in 1887 as stated above, The surviving children are: Julia, wife of Robert Royster of this county, Henry C. of Boone, formerly sheriff of Boone county, James A. and Isabella, wife of Daniel Neff of Tacoma, Washington; Arminta, wife of Max Brooks of Puyallup, Washington; Mary S., wife of Aaron Nelson, and Viola, wife of Eimer Cramblet of this county. She also leaves a brother, Henry Friedley a number of grandchildren and other relatives and an innumerable host of admiring friends to mourn the death of a noble woman.
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Daughter of Daniel Friedley (1798-1849) and Rebecca Heistand (1808-1846)