WEST, Lewis died 1886

WEST

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 11/7/2024 at 16:45:09

An Old Pioneer Gone to Rest
Last Wednesday, June the 0th, at about 3 o'clock, p.m. the old beloved gentleman and pioneer, Lewis West, bid farewell to this world - although his death was not unexpected. It has cast a gloom over our little burg.

Mr. West has for many years been Grandpa to the children and Uncle to the rest of us in this community. It is hard for us to miss his daily rounds, with his cheerful greeting and now and then a story about his early pioneer life.

Uncle West very nearly reached the respected age of 70 years. He was born in Chautauqua county, New York State, where he spent his boy and early manhood. In company with his family and a few friends he came to Iowa 32 years ago and settled where now is called old Otranto, where his old homestead yet bears witness of the industrious old pioneer. We, that came afterwards cannot fully imagine what a task it is to come out in the wilderness to share halfs with the red man, one hundred miles from market.

When the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul R.R. built this branch between Mason City and Austin, Mr. West located at this place and for a number of years dealt in grain and lumber, until a few years ago when he had a very severe attack of erysipelas, which then caused a uniform fear that he might depart; but by tender care he recovered so as to be able to take care of his fine little cottage and garden, in which he took great pleasure and it is the pride of our little village.

Early this spring the writer of these lines noticed that the old gentleman was commencing to fail. Step by step, as gentle spring was coming more into bloom Uncle Lew was fading gradually like the autumn leaves, and on that bright June afternoon, surrounded by his dear relatives and friends in his little cottage, he delivered his soul to its maker.

On Friday afternoon, June 11, the funeral services too place at his home. Rev. Duboe, from Osage, very ably delivered the sermon. The size of the audience showed plainly how highly the old pioneer was respected. The singing of the three well known and lovely hymns, "Nearer my God to Thee," "Jesus Lover of my Soul," and "Rock of Ages," was ably sung to the beautiful sound of our new Sunday School organ.

After the sermon a letter was opened and read by Rev. Duboe. It was the true feeling of the people of our little village and community. It read as follows:

"Farewell thought to out beloved neighbor. We are gathered here with our hearts full of sorrow in realizing that our beloved neighbor Uncle Lew is no more among us. We are gathered here with our hearts full of sympathy in behalf of his dear relatives in their grief. We are gathered here with our hearts full of thanks to a kind Providence for sparing so kind and good a neighbor to us so many years. We are gathered here with our hearts full of thanks to the beloved deceased for all fatherly kindness. How gratifying it is to us to pay you this last tribute and inscribe on your memory: 'Friend to all, enemy to none.' Farewell friend. Rest in peace. Blessed be thy memory. From your old neighbors and friends."

After this the old pioneer, Rev. Thurston, came forward and fully endorsed the above by relating his early acquaintance with Uncle Lew.

The funeral procession was a grand one. Friends from far and near attended. Between forty and fifty teams mingled with the large numbers on foot. At the grave, to close the grand but sorrowful event, our school teacher, Mr. Getts, led the children in the beautiful hymn, "We Will Meet Beyond the River," and the last duties were done to the honored old pioneer, who, as far as human eyes can detect, have left as honorable a mark as can be expected of mankind.
-- One who mourns the loss of Uncle Lew, Carpenter, Iowa, June 15, 1886.

~St. Ansgar Enterprise, Wednesday, June 16, 1886, pg 5

Note: Burial = Newburg cemetery

Family information is found in the transcription of his Last Will & Testament. Click the link below.

Last Will & Testament of Lewis West
 

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