Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-09-01
j. j. MARSH DEAD.
Well Known Implement Dealer and
Former Postmaster Passed
Away Monday Morning.

another of Decorah's pioneer bust
ness men, Mr.. ]. J. Marsh. He pass
ed away suddenly at 2:30 o'clock. He
had not been confined to his bed and
was over town Sunday. His heart ac-
tion had been weak for some time,
and he was seized with a spell early
Monday morning, death resulting in
about fifteen minutes. His health had
been failing for about two years, but
being possessed of rugged consti-
tuition from early manhood he bore
up we'll to the last, and was about at
tending to his business affairs.
Joseph Judson Marsh was born in
Syracuse, Onondaga county, New
York, Nov. %, 1886. When eight
years of age he removed with his
to Lake county, Illinois. Here
he helped till the soil until 1853.
When sixteen years of age he went
to Waukegan, Illinois to attend
school, and while at Waukegan learn
ed the carriage and wagon making
trade. He subsequently, with sever
al young men started for Pixies Peak.
but upon reaching the Missouri riv-
er, they found that the tide of immi-
grafton was toward the east. The
party therefore disbanded, and Mr..
Marsh returned to Antioch, Illinois.
In 1860 he again left for Pixies
Peak, and after reaching there re-
mained for six months or more,
working at his trade as millright. At
ter his return from Pixies Peak he
was united in marriage in the same
year at Fox Lake, Ill. to Phoebe
Adaline Maltby, and the following
year, 1861, they moved to Decorah
where the family home has since
been. When he landed in Decorah
Mr.. Marsh was not possessed of very
much of this worlds goods, but he
was Industrious, and secured a posi-
ton as wagon maker and millright in
the late Geo. Phelph's wagon shop.
where he remained year. After that
he formed a partnership with John
Greer in the implement business, and
engaged in the manufacture of plows,
tanning mills, etc. In 1868 the above
partnership was terminated and MIR.
Marsh opened for business on the
corner where his handsome brick
building now stands, which was
erected in 1895. He continued III
the farm implement business at the
same place for 40 years. His business
career was an honorable one and by
his honesty and fair dealing always
enjoyed a big patronage.
Mr.. Marsh was prominent in Re-
publican politics for many years. In
1903 he was appointed postmaster
of Decorah and held the Office with
credit for nine years. retiring two
years ago, since which time he retir-
ed from active business.
Mr.. Marsh built handsome home
on the West Side, where the family
has always resided. Before the Yves,
|Side was annexed to Decorah proper
Mr.. Marsh filled the office of mayor
for a number of years. He was pub
lie spirited and progressive, and al
ways took q deep interest in public
and political matters. In his Ions
period of residence here his circle 0
friends was wide one. He was al
ways the soul of honor, and his mem
ory will long be cherished and hi
name remains synonym for loyalt
and uprightness, and ever since 1876
he was numbered among the success
full and representative citizens of De
corah.
Mr.. Marshs death is the frs
break in the family circle. Five year
ago on May goth he and his goo
wife celebrated their golden weddin
Anniversary. Six children were bor
Ito the union. They are William {
Marsh, Oakland, CAL; Mrs. Grac
lWeiser, Fargo, N. D.; Susie and JG
Detroit, Mich; Mrs. Addie Scammor
Minneapolis and Mrs. Marjorie Hal
|lenberg, Carson, N. d., who with tn
|bereaved wife have the sympathy @
lall in the loss of kind husband an
father. All of the children are here
with the exception of William, VIII
was unable to get here. He is ais
survived by six grandchildren. an
two brothers, Leonard, of Winches'
Ter, Wis, Frank of Oregon and on
sister, Mrs. Parker, Of SPOKANE
Wash.
When young man Mr.. Marsh afh
lated with the Baptist church. Tn
funeral services will be held tomo'
row. Thursday afternoon at 2;SO o
clock from the family residence o
the West Side, Rev. NJ. Willett offic
ating. Interment will be in PhelI
cemetery.