The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-04-20


how he appreciated the services Of his ~
friend and companion in arms. They I'D
in an early day aseended the MississipN
together In ~ open boat, propelled with
oars, they had sapped together around the
camp fire, and side by side they fought on
the same feld. Long after these events
occurred, and when both were in their de.
clining years, surrounded by everything
that could make life pleasure. the old
General would often speak Of his old friend
and companion with oil the affection snd
tenderness Of brother
That same love Of adventure which
prompted him from the frst, to sncountsf
the trials and hardships Of frontier life,
again took possession of his mind. He
resigned the Office Of Sheriff, crossed the
Mississippi and settled on the soil Of Clay
ton county in 1889, where he remained
until death closed his eyes forever. Hero,
by industry and hard labor, he made tw,
most beautiful and valuable farms, gave one
to each Of his boys, reserved small por..
ton only for himself and his kind and af.
fectionate wife, retired to his cottage at
Garnavillo, and spent the remainder of q
long life in peace and happiness among
people who loved and respected him to tho
last.
Soon after he came to Clayton county,
he was chosen Clerk of the Commissioners
Court, and it was here that his talents ard
ability as an officer were first discovered by
the people of Clayton county, and which
laid the foundation for that long and useful
| career of pubic life which he afterwards
passed among US. At the time he was first
chosen Clerk, the financial affairs of the
county were in wretched state. Warrants
to an amount which no one knew, had been
issued, no books had been kept, no Records
had been made, and everything which con.
cerned the county was in a mass of confusion.
lie purchased Records, traced out the in
debtedness, restrained the useless and cx.
travagaDt issue Of county orders, and laid
the foundation Of the Commissioners Court
on basis that gave prosperity to the coun.
ty. In this position, the most responsible
Of any in the county, he remained for
many years, aud until the board was abol.
( ished for the office Of County Judge. After
leaving this Office be was Immediately
elected Treasurer and Recorder Of the
county, and re elected again and again as
often as he wished. Sometimes with the
most determined opposition, at other times
he would pass over the course alone.
While in this Office be handled year after
year thousands Of the public money, and
when he left it, after years Of toll and hard
ship, his books and accounts showed an
honorable career Not the value of cen.
had ever been converted to his own use.
not paper had been missing, not single
instance Of mistake. No one ever after
wards came to the Office with bis receipt for
taxes but what found on his books in the
proper place, the proper credit, and no one
ever appeared at the office and went away
| and his Records will remain as models Of
neatness and correctness until the latest
posterity. At last he declined i re election.
preferring a more active life, and he left tho
office regretted by all. But tho people Of
Clayton county would not suffer him to re-
main long out Of service, and they elected
him without opposition, Clerk of the Dis.
trict Court, and here in this office We again
see the master hand for business. But old
age was now creeping on him, long and
useful life was now drawing to o close, and
he felt his decline; tired and worn out in
the public service, he resigned the Office
and retired forever to private life, with
more honors than fall to the lot of many TO-
wear. His home was the home of peace,
happiness and domestic felicity, and was
always free, open and inviting to all. A
kind and atfectionate wife, who still survives
him, devoted companion, tender mother
to his children, made his home pleasant
and agreeable. A numerous train of
grand children, who loved him dearly,
smiled at his approach and laughed at his
fun. He was man am rng men, and
child among children, and both loved and
respected him with admiration and fond
ness. In all his intercourse with men,
both in public and private life, his greatest
care was to avoid giving pain to any one,
and there are not a few in Clayton county
who acknowledge him as their benefactor.
TO the last his thoughts were upon his only
son who was far away in California. No
man ever raised more duiful and affec-
tionate boy, and he loved his father with all
the tenderness Of youth. But the indul
gent father, the tender husband, the kind
and generous friend is no more
A large concourse Of Odd Fellows, Ms-
sons, relatives and friends. followed h; m to
his last and final resting place, and re,urn.
ed with tears for his loss.
For one can well say with Burns:
An honest man lies at rest,
One who earth truly blest,
II there is another world, he lies in bliss.
And if there Is none he made the best of ths" )"
NJ
| The M01Or.G eNeral and tho Drnmamep