Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-10-02
0bituary-Preston

Another of Grant County's early
residents with the Great Majority.
Lorenzo L. Preston, died Thurs
day, September II, 1907, aged SO
years, months and IL days, at
NewkirK, Oklahoma.
The deceased was born at Oxford,
Shenango Co, n. Y. In 1913 he
came to the lead mines of Wiscon-
sin. settling at Hazel Green. His
abilities as an officer for the public
were made known to the people Of
this county during four terms in the
discharge of duties as constable in
the mining region. In 1854, ne was
elected sheriff of Grant county. He
served two terms as deputy sheriff.
Afterward he removed TO BeetOwn
and followed mining for twelve
years, and then went to farming,
on a part OF the Beetown lands now
owned by, Joseph Wright, and still
known as 1.-The Preston place." In
his youth Mr.. Preston had served
an apprenticeship as a printer. He
was married in 1S48 to Miss Sophia
TrenarY Of the Trenary family at
Platteville. Four children were
born to the union. One little son
died during the earlier years Of
residence at Beetown. Jennie, now
Mrs. S. Countryman, and William
both of Newkirk and Henry of
Peckham, Oklahoma survive. Seven
grand children and three great
grand children mourn this loss with
them. Mrs. Preston died about six
years ago. Mr.. Preston went to
Kansas in 1884, where he lived until
the opening of the Cherokee stfip.
Though an old man then, he made
the run on horse back, and settled
at Newkirk, where he has since
been engaged in lucrative livery
business. Up to within week Of
his demise, he was in possession Of
all his faculties, was in the Office
conducting all the business, and
for man or his advanced age re-
tanned remarkable degree of the
vigor of younger days. Well do
we remember the spring-time when
our old friend with his family, and
the LamsOns, and uncle Jerry
Garner and family left Beetown,
after long years of residence there,
to seek new homes and better
fortunes in western lands. Old ties
and tender were broken. Friends
tried and true were left behind.
There were many fearful, sorrowful
fare-wells, and the old town was
silent and sad as the white covered
wagons wendell their slow way out
of sight. Of that company Mr.. and
Mrs. Preston, "Uncle Jerry" and
Aunt Wincy" Garner, G.. Lamson
and his beautiful and gifted daugh-
ter Inez with her brother Harley
have all travelled into the farther
land" And we shall see their faces
no more this side of Eternity.
Lorenzo Preston was a man of
courage, blunt Of speech and of plain
dealing. He was broad minded,
open. handed and large hearted. He
and his good wife were noted for
genial hospitality. In their home
the latch-string always hung out.
Rich or poor, saint or sinner alike re-
ceived warm welcome at their board.
Their generous natures proffered
shelter and kindly treatment to any
needy creature. How such acts
of kindness tighten the burdens and
shed rays of hope along the path
way of life, and shine as sweet
memories in after years. Alas! how
very few are now left of those early
settlers of our county. One by one
they are swiftly passing to that
bourne from which none return.
Few have lived or will live to the
advanced age of Lorenzo Preston,
Fare we'll old friend. Peace, peace
TO thy soul. B d. s.