Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-01-15
DEATH REAPER IS BUSY
PASSING OF THE PIONEERS CONES WITH
ADVENT OF NEW YEAR.
Old Residents Of the County and Well
Known Citizens Answer Final
Summons.
LANCE.

shiek county, passed away ON Friday
morning at his home in Bluffton,
from dropsy, at an advanced age. He
was born in Grosenhain, province of
Saxony, March 5. 1924, and came to
America in 1913, and remained in
New York few years, where he was
married in 1862 to Margaret Jane
Dawley, at Perrysburg. She died
several years ago. In 1854 he came to
this county, and in 1856 settled on
the place where he died. having lived
there fifty-one years. In August, 1862
he enlisted in DEBORAH in Co. E. 3Sth
Iowa Infantry, serving faithfully
throughout the war, after which he
was honorably discharged, Aug. 10.
1865. He also served five years in the
German army. His life has been spent
on the farm, where he has lived, re-
spected and revered by everyone who
knew him. He was an industrious,
| honest, upright. kind-hearted man,
always considerate of others, and his
memory will remain in the hearts of
those who knew him for many years
to come Four sons, Dell, of Pierre.
/ S. D.. George, Will of Bluffton, and
G. A. of Seattle, Wash, remain to
mourn his loss.
The funeral services were held on
Sunday morning at ten O'Clock, con-
Quoted by Rev. Densmore of Burr
etery, under the auspices of Col.
Hughes Post, No. 1853. of which he
was an honored member.
EASTON.
James H. Easton. one of the pioneer
residents and business men of De-
corah, passed away on Saturday after
noon, after being confined to his home
for compile of years. at the age of "A
years. He was born in Lowville, n.
Y, Nov %, 1888, and came to DEBORAH
in t e spring of 1862 and became
proprietor of The DEBORAH Bank, an
institution we'll known by sid settlers
in northern Iowa, and which passed
successfully through all the panics of
stump-tail currency and war times.
1t was converted into The First
National Bank when the national
currency act was passed. he being it's
first and only president. In 1869, III
company with A. f. Bigelow at New
Hampton he established the Chicka-
saw County Bank, later disposing of
his interests there Also the Winnie
bago County Bank. at Forest City,
under the name of Easton q Thomp-
son. In 1851 he was married to Miss
Mary y 10y, who, with one daugh-
ter, preceded him in death. One
son, 10y, of New York CITY, remains
| to mourn his loss.
| Brief funeral services were held at
| the home at one O. clock on Monday,
and the remains were taken to Low
vile, n. Y. for burial.
SEvERSON.
Lars Severson. another pioneer
citizen of DEBORAH. passed away Sat
urday afternoon at his home on East
Water street, from heart failure. He
had been in ill health for some time,
and during the winter had been con-
fined to his home. He was born June
g, 1888 in Hardanger, Norway, and
in the spring of 1856 came to America,
stopping for some time at Lansing.
Iowa, and coming from there to De-
corah. In 1870 he was married to
Miss Sigrid Larsen, who, with one
daughter, Mrs. j. S. Alstad, survive
him. One child died in infancy. He
was for several years in business here,
but retired a few years ago. Mr..
Severson was a kind and loving hus-
band and father. valued neighbor,
and highly respected citizen. The
funeral servi ces were held yesterday
afternoon at two O'Clock from the
home, and at 2 80 o'clock from the
United Lutheran church.
MELAAS
On last Tuesday morning, at her
residence on the line betw cen Orleans
and Button township, occurred the
death of Mrs. John G. Melaas, one
of the pioneers mothers of that part
of the county. She is survived by
her aged husband, nine sons and five
daughters, one son having preceded
her. Her life was spent in loving
care for her large family. and in her
passing Winneshiek county loses a
pioneer mother and good woman,
whose demise is generally mourned.
BARTHELL
On Thursday afternoon at two
O'Clock from the house, the funeral of
William p. Barthell. who died on
Tuesday morning, took place. He
was the oldest living son of VIM.
and Mrs. Leticia Barthell, and death
resulted from Brights disease.
He was born in Glenwood township
AnriI TX ISR6 and praw mn m man