The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-06-20

uOuCs oCuNylHSS UuO CuSlOulS anu COU-
ditions Of those countries, and he was
careful observer Of all things. His
report as commissioner was one of the
best ever made in this state.
On April 2G, 1860, he was united in
marriage to Miss Frances Arnold, of
Monroe county. To them We're born
nine children, three dying in infancy,
and one son, Stephen Louis, at the age
of II years, in 1879. The loving wife
and five children survive, Geo. E. Hurst,
of Mine LaMott, Mo-, Charles e., James
W., Margaret L., and John f. Hurst, all
of this city. Also two aged sisters re-
siding in Maryland.
He was brother of John E. Hurst,
the great wholesale dry goods dealer,
OF Baltimore, Md, who died a few years
ago, and a cousin of the late Bishop
John F. Hurst, of Washington City, one
of the famous Methodist Bishops.
Although not member of the church
Mr.. Hurst was intensely loyal to
Methodism, regular attendant at
church and liberal supporter of the
church. His real heart longing perhaps
would never have been known, even, to
his family. but for correspondence
carried on between himself ard his
cousin, Mr.. Samuel J. Hurst, of Kansas
City, between whom there had always
been warm affection. After the death
of his son some twenty-eight years ago,
he wrote to this cousin expressing his
grief and also determination to lead
a christian life, that he might meet his
boy in heaven. Within the last year
two other letters on this subject were
written, but one of which is available.
He wrote as follows:
Leon, Iowa, July 21, 1906.
Dear Cousin Sam:
This day am 70 years old.
feel thankful for the kind Indulgence
from our Heavenly Father to be thus
permitted to live. am trying to be a
better man. have been trying for a
few years. / will continue, and hope to
know l am a christian sometime. l
can't fool the Lord, and do not want to
fool myself by pretensions. l have trav-
eled a rough and rugged road in this
life, although the path has been strewn
at times with flowers. l had a good
father, mother, grandmother, brothers
and sisters. l think they were real
christians. They set me good exam
pie which have not followed, but for
two or three years have inclined from
the path Of error, and am doing my best.
Yours very truly,
S. W. HURST.
He was a man of the greatest devo-
tion for his family, not only those of his
own household, but also for more dis
tant relatives he entertained the warm
est affection. Especially was this true
of his cousin, the late Bishop Hurst, and
he distributed many copies of his life
to members of his family and to his
friends.
He was for nearly forty years men,
Der of the Masonic lodge of this city,
being raised on his birthday, July ii,
1870, and firm believer in the princi-
pies of the order.
The funeral services were held from
the family home on Friday afternoon at
8 o'clock. AS token of respect all
business in the city was suspended dur
ing the services. The sermon was
preached by Rev. J. L. Boyd, pastor of
the Leon M. E. church, and the funeral
was in charge of the Masonic lodge.
The floral tributes were many and beau
tiful and the concourse which followed
his remains to their final resting place
in the Leon cemetery was one of the
largest ever seen in this city. The
honorary pail bearers, friends and busi-
ness. associates for many years, were 1.
N. Clark, M. Mayer, g. P. Arnold, Marion
F. Stookey, J. R. Bashaw and W. A.
Boone. The acting pail bearers were j.
A. Harris, j. A. Caster, f. A. Gardner,
w. E. Meyers, L. Van Werden and o. E.
Hull.