The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-12-15


The Davenport Democrat contains the
following account of the death Of Hon
Eugene Orchard, of Pleasant Valley,
Scott county, Iowa, one of the prominent
men of the county and lifelong Demo-
crat Deceased was a brother-in-law of
Samuel Heaey, of Hampton, Ills, and
was regarded as one of the purest men in
Iowa. The following details will be read
with interest by many il this county, By
whom deceased was we'll known and
respected
After several months of illness with
consumption. Hon. Eugene Birchard died
at his home IN Pleasant Valley township
at ! o'clock Saturday morning. In his
death tie COUNTY loses one of its most
prominent citizens.
MIR Birchard was born June l6, 1896
the very farm on which he died-in log
house such as the pioneer settlers erected
for their first homes here. He was the son
of Jabez A. Birchard, who settled in
Pleasant Valley in 1886 The family is of
tee good old Puritan Birchard stock which
emigrated from New England to Pennsyl-
vanla over hundred years ago Eugene
Orchard was reared in this county-never
had home anywhere else. La his youth
be received his education at Lom bard Uni
yersity, Galesburg, lii aDd when he re-
turned home from that institution he set
tied down to his fathers calling,
that of a farmer, In his young man
hood he married Miss Kittie Dom
adson, daughter of James Donaldson.
whom he had known from infancy. He
filled the Offices of township clerk and
township trustee several years. He took
an active interest in all local matters of
mportance-hecame a member of the
Scott County Agricultural Society, and ia
Vored all Efforts foT the promotion of agri-
culture and Improvement of live stock
He became attached to the Democratic
party on reaching his majority, and had
great Influence in its counsels in the
county and when that party united with
the Liberal Republicans and came into
power in 1873 Mr. Birchard was elected
member of the 18th General Assembly:
hs served his constituents so we'll and hon
orabiy 10 that body. that two years later
he was reelected, becoming a member of
the 10th General Assembly; in the latter
body he served on some of the most i'm
pOrtant committeeman received the
warm thanks of Speaker (now Governor)
Gear for the manner in which he perform
ed his committee duties. After his faith
ers death, Mr.. Burchard became possessor
OF the homestead farm, and entered into
his pursuit still more earnestly. He
succeeded to the Allen vacancy in thu
presidency of the Scott county agricultu-
raj society in 1875, and was elected pres
ident of that society in 1875 and 1877, |
OF course he was very efficient in that
pos ition.
But the time came when his manhood |
strength gave way, through long trouble |
9Th his lungs. In the fall of 1873 he |
went TO Colorado for relief aud cure,
returning last june, feeling better aud |
very hopeful. 1t was evident 10 bis |
friends. however. that his course was near
ly run. A few weeks ago he himself came |
to the conclusion that his end was near, |
and made preparations for the great |
change, And so, at the time named |
above, he died He leaves a wife, three
daughters and son, all the children being
10 their teens except the youngest daugh-
ter, who is four years old.
The funeral took place this Monday
forenoon Services at the family residence
1t IL o'clock. Rev 8. s, Hunting
oficiated on the occasion.
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