Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-02-13
ISAAC GILBERT WENTWORTH, SR.

Last Monday was laid to rest the
body of Isaac Gilbert Whitworth,
ST., the oldest citizen and Mason
of Iron county. He had attained
to the venerable age of 81 years,
two months and twenty days. His
last illness, terminating Saturday,
February Sth, 1908, at 4:40 o'clock
P. M, was but of three or four days
duration, and when he passed, he
crossed life's threshold into the
realms of eternity as a child seek
ing pleasant fields. The "rest' he
articulated with his final respira-
ton came to him in its uttermost
measure. The things of earth fad
ed from his vision and he fell into
the sleep that knows no waking.
Ninety-one years of life's fitful
fever! The memories-the aspi-
rations, the struggles, the trials,
the sorrows, the fruitions-that fill
them! How far into the past they
lead the mind, yet, measured by
the cons of eternity, how short
their span! But the good that men
do ceases not with them.
Mr.. Whitworth was born in
Madison county, Georgia, Novem-
Der 10, 1916, and was one of twelve
children that came to bless the
union of his parents. When he
was three years old, the family
came to Missouri, first locating in
Cape Girardeau county, and re-
moving a short time afterward to
Madison, where the subject of this
notice grew to manhood. His father
was a farmer, and the old home
stead was located about eight
miles east of Fredericktown. AT
the age of twenty years this son
went to Perry county and for four
years engaged in business there.
Then he returned to Madison, and
in August, 1916, was united in
marriage to Miss Nancy B. White.
To them were born nine children
five sons and four daughters. OF
these survive four sons-J. W., j..
NJ, VIM. H., and |, G.-and two
daughters-Mrs. Jas. HI. Clark,
and Mrs. VIM. R. Edgar. The
faithful wife and beloved mother
departed this life December 18th,
1869, and from that time the care
of the household rested upon the
husband alone.
In 1856, Mr.. Whitworth removed
to Crane Pond in this county and
engaged in the manufacture of
lumber. He prospered in this I'M
til the wal rendered uncertain and
hazardous all peaceful occupa-
when he abandoned the bus
mess and came with his family to
the Valley. His first venture as a
merchant was with Dewitt Bugg in
Arcadia in 1862. A year or so later
he associated himself with DR.. Jas.
L. Covert and VIM. A. Tidwell in
Lronton, continuing in the mer-
chandise business from that time,
under successive partnerships,
until 1894, when he retired with a
competency,leaving his three sons,
J. M, VIM. H. and l. G., Jr., in
charge.
Such is the brief and imperfect
sketch of the life and labor of him
who is now joined to the 'innu-
merable caravan" He wrought
with honorable zeal and untiring
energy; and in business integrity
built a character admirable and
lnquestioned. But his proudest
accomplishment was the rearing of
sons and daughters honorable to
the land that gave them birth.
His funeral, notwithstanding the
-1clemency of the weather, was
very largely attended. After the
services at Fort Hill Church, under
Rev. Aspley, the body was taken
n charge by the members of
Star of the West Lodge, No. 1873,
A. F. & A. M, and with the rites
Of the order, consigned to it's final
'esting-place.
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