The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-10-15
For the Gate City and Valley Wing.

OObSt8A1
Died at his residence, near Iowaville, Van
Buren, county, Iowa, ON Wednesday, the sth
instant, after painful and lingering illness,
Van Caldwell, aged 81 years.
The deceased was native Of Virginia,
where he resided until the spring OF 1886,
when he settled in the then Territory Of
Iowa. Few men in our state had more ex-
tensi We circle Of friends and acauaintnnces,
and We may add, that few, il any have
died more deeply or generally lsmcnted.
Having made the beautiful Valley Of the Des
Moines his home at a very early day, his
home has always been open to friends, and
his hands ever ready to assist in any and
evcry Office of hnman benefaction. lie was
not n man Of polished education. but was
emphatically one Of natures noblest noble
men. Generous, hospitab.e and kind, no man
ever asked favor bat it WAS bestowed il in
his power to give it, A man Of warm inn
pulses, he was vet afable in his manners,
| never forgetting the gentlemen in the heat Of
the most exciting controversy. His politi-
| cal preferences were we'll known, and in
their maintenance he was ever open, bold,
| decided and energetic. And yet while he
was ardent and enthusiastic in his advocacy
| Of his faysrita party and candida tes, he ad-
| rnired the manly and fearless advc sary, bu,
dcspised the sycophant and demag o rue
wherever found. His home was always the
synonym for hospitality and good old fash
toned western cheer. Had he but n ,norsel
Of bread or cup OF water it was ALWAYS
freely shared with frien or those in need.
Had he abundance, all was rs freely given fof
the support OF any cause he espoused, for
the relief Of wan. or to nccomm odate his
many warm friends and acquain.ances. lie
united ms perfectly as any man we ever kne v
the genuine hospitality OF the Virginia gen.
tleman, with the highest type Of the man Of
the West. A man Of noble and command.
ing figure, he commanded respect in every
crowd, while his easy manners rndeared him
the more closely to those who formed hi.
acquaintance. Familiar in his manners, h.
made himself known to, and he know every
J person thrown into his society, aud judged
quickly anu correctly Of human character.
Our state has lost men of more inHuenc,
and higher position, but none who had bet
ter hearts, or whose hearts were more near
: y in the right place. lie leaves seyera
children, brothers and sisters, and mos
extensive acquaintance to mourn and fee
deeply his death. The writer Of this knew
the deceased intimately for the last twely
years, aud hazards nothing in saying tina
his death will be as deeply felt, as much re
, GREETED and as generally mourned, rs tina
= OF any one in the entire state. We had few
if any such man and when anob a.o 81 a,
! away by the hand Of death a great loss /
sustained BY society and the state, as we'll a
! by the family and friends. My wish is ti,n
! he md all such, everywhere, could long live /,
benefit the world by their kindness and gen
crosby, and to illnstrats in their dsporsnen
the invaluable sdvastagss rssulting iron
that class Of mcn fear fast passing away,
: which We designate BY the cognomen 0
! ''lentlemeo Of the Old school,
!, Papers IN Southern Iowa and Whsslins
Va. please copy. 80