| History and Genealogy | |
Obituaries of Des Moines County, IowaMrs. N. Bacon Mrs. N. Bacon, mother of B.F. Bacon of Reno, died in Burlington, Iowa on the 9th inst. [Reno Evening Gazette, Reno Nevada, February 23, 1880] Dr. Richard S. Barret Dr. Richard S. Barret, of St. Louis, and formerly of this city, died at Burlington, Iowa, on the 17th inst. Dr. B. was a most estimable gentleman, and in his death St. Louis loses one of her best and most useful citizens. [Illinois State Democrat, Wed. May 30, 1860 Mrs. Jane Beamans Burlington, Iowa, December 30. -- Mrs. Jane Beamans, one of Iowa's most venerable pioneers, who has lived in Burlington and Des Moines County for 52 years, died today, aged 90 years. St. Louis Republic - December 31, 1896 Mrs. Hannas Goins & Miss Beryl Browse Two Killed On Railroad track At Burlington Burlington, Iowa, Aug 19-Mrs. Hanas Goins, aged 70 and Miss Beryl Browse, aged 18, were instantly killed this morning when their auto, driven by Miss Browse, was hit by a Burlington Route passenger train at a road crossing about 3 miles south of Burlington. The young woman's view of the track was obscured by a cornfield and she drove on the track directly in front of the train. Both victims were members of prominent farmer families of Lee county. [Iowa City Press, Iowa City Iowa, August 19, 1920] GENERAL JOHN M. CORSE DIES OF APOPLEXY AT WINCHESTER THE HERO OF ALTOONA Brief Sketch of the Career of a Famous Soldier - His Historic Dispatch to Sherman - His Honorable Service in Civil Life. Winchester, Mass, April 27. - General Corse suffered an apoplectic shock at an early hour this morning at his home in this town. Physicians were summoned at once, but failed to restore the general to consciousness, and at 1 o'clock today he was reported as very low with little hope of his recovery. Gen. Corse died at 2:30 p.m. He has not been in good health for several weeks, but so serious a turn to his illness was entirely unexpected. Townsend left Sheffield, Saturday last, without informing anybody. His wife says he is subject to fits and is often absent from home for days without his whereabouts being known. He has been subject to spells of deep depression, but has never shown any symptoms of homicidal mania. Gen. Corse comes from a Huguenot family which settled in Virginia about 100 years ago. He was born in Pittsburg, Penn., April 27. 1833, but his parents soon removed to St. Louis and afterwards to Burlington, Iowa. He was educated in the public schools of Burlington, and subsequently went to West Point, where be graduated in 1857. He resigned his position in the army and went to the Albany Law School. He opened a law office in Burlington, but was not able to practice long before the war called him to put on his shoulder straps again. He ran in 1860 for lieutenant governor of Iowa on the Stephen A. Douglas ticket, but after the firing on Fort Sumter, he accented an appointment as major of the sixth Iowa infantry, and took part in the Fremont campaign in southwest Missouri. He was then detached and appointed judge advocate and inspector general on Gen. Pope's, staff, and served with that general through the New Madrid and Island No.10 campaigns. He was next at Shiloh, and after that battle he left Pope at the request of Gen. W. T. Sherman, and took command of his regiment, the sixth Iowa, having in the meantime been promoted to the lieutenant colonelcy. He went through the Corinth campaign and was at the siege of Memphis, and subsequently served throughout the Mississsippi campaign, which resulted in the destruction of Gen. Grant's base of supplies at Holly Springs. He was now promoted to a colonelcy, and was present with his regiment through the siege of Vicksburg and also at the siege of Jackson, and for gallant and meritorious services at Jackson he was made brigadier general and given the command of the 4th division of the 15th army corps. Corse was one of the youngest brigadier generals in the service, but also one of she most trusted. He took his command to Memphis and over to Missionary Ridge. He led the assaulting army of Gen. Sherman, and had a leg broken by a shell and was carried off the field. After three months' absence he returned and was given a position on Gen. Sherman's staff as inspector general. Gen. Corse is most widely known as the hero of Altoona. On the day that McPherson was killed in front of Atlanta, July 22, 1864, Gen. Logan requested the appointment of Gen. Corse to the command of a division, and he was assigned to the command of the second division of the 16th army corps. It was while Corse commanded this division that Hood moved around in the rear of Sherman's army and attacked the supplies at Altoona. Corse was detailed with 1500 men to look after supplies, and on arriving on the scene he found himself face to face with a determined and desperate enemy, outnumbering his forces four to one. The opposing columns met at Altoona Pass and a terrible battle was fought. Eight hundred of the 1500 men under Gen. Corse were shot down, but the survivors held their ground and never showed their backs to the enemy, although immensely outnumbered. Gen. Corse sent to Sherman for assistance, and a message soon came back saying that re-enforcements were on the way, and asking if he could hold the fort until they arrived, late in the afternoon. It was then that Gen. Corse wrote the famous dispatch which so pleased Sherman that it may he found printed in his story of the "Match to the Sea." "I have lost a cheek bone and an ear, but I can lick all h_ll yet," was the way the dispatch read. It was this stirring incident of the war, it is said, that suggested the Moody and Sankey hymn, "Hold the Fort." The bravery and gallantry of Gen. Corse in this engagement won for him promotion to the rank of major general. Geo. Corse was with Sherman on the march to the sea, and subsequently through the Carolinas, and was engaged in all the affairs from Atlanta to Bentonville, N. C. At the close of the war he was assigned to the command of the department of the northwest, comprising Minnesota., Wisconsin. Montana and Dakota, with headquarters at St. Paul, and conducted an Indian campaign to a successful issue. In 1866 he was appointed lieutenant colonel of the 27th United States infantry, but declined to accept the position and was mustered out. He removed to Chicago, where be became interested in railroad enterprises. In 1867 he was appointed by President Johnson collector of internal revenue. In 1869, at the close of his term, he went to Europe, where he remained for four or five years. His first wife, to whom be was greatly attached, died in 1879, and in 1882 he remarried, his second wife being Miss McNeil of Winchester, a niece of ex-President Franklin Pierce. He was in Europe for a long time, and returned to Winchester in the spring of 1884. He took as active part in the presidential campaign, and after the withdrawal of the Butler leaders from the state committee, was made chairman of the executive committee. He was appointed postmaster of Boston by President Cleveland, Oct. 19, 1886, and held it until he was succeeded by Postmaster Hart. (Source: Worchester Daily Spy, Worchester, Mass., 28 April 1893) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - General John M. Corse General John M. Corse, who recently died in Boston, was one of the most gallant and notable of all the heroic Iowa soldiers. His old home was Burlington, where he had lived from the time he was six years old until after the close of the war. He entered the service at the beginning of the rebellion, and was appointed Major of the Sixth Iowa Infantry. During "Sherman's March to the Sea," Gen. Corse, with a small force, held the pass at Allatoona, which was of vital importance to the Union army. He was assailed by the rebel army in overwhelming numbers. Sherman signaled to him across the mountains to hold the pass at all hazards. He signaled back, "I will hold it till freezes over!" And he held it. It was one of the most heroic achievements of the war. Moody's celebrated hymn. "Hold the Fort for I am Coming," was suggested to its author by this episode. We shall endeavor to procure a biography and portrait of this gallant Iowa General for publication in The Annals at an early day. [Annuals of Iowa, July 1893, submitted by Cathy Danielson] Myril Gowdy Drowned at Burlington Burlington, Ia July 3. A boy named Myril Gowdy was drowned while swimming in the river here. He had been sent to pick cherries, but went to the river instead. [The Alliance Herald Alliance, Box Butte County, Neb., Published July 08, 1909] Mrs. Elizabeth S. Henn Mrs. Elizabeth S. Henn died at Fairfield August 7th. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1820 and when a young girl came to Burlington, Iowa, with an uncle. Here she grew to womanhood and was married to Bernhardt Henn at the home of General A. C. Dodge. August 6, 1841. Her husband was elected to Congress in 1849, serving four years. Mrs. Henn was in her earlier days a leader in society and charitable work in Burlington. She was one of the founders of the public library at Fairfield, having made the first subscription for its establishment. The prominence of her husband in early Iowa history and politics together with her own fine personal qualities, gave Mrs. Henn a state-wide acquaintance. [Annals of Iowa, 1895, submitted by Cathy Danielson] Alva W. Holland Alva W. Holland was born October 3, 1826, at Hebron, West Virginia. He was married April 11, 1850, to Elizabeth Moats, of Harrisville. Mr. and Mrs. Holland came to Iowa in 1856 and has ever since resided in Des Moines and Henry counties. To this union was born twelve children, nine of whom survive and were with him in his last illness. His companion preceded him sixteen years ago. At an early age he united with the Protestant Methodist church and has ever since lived a consistent life. Mr. Holland departed this life Nov. 19, 1908, at the age of 82 years, one month and 16 days. Funeral services from Trinity church Friday at 11 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Hannawalt, of Mt. Pleasant. Interment at Trinity cemetery. The subject of the above sketch was the father of D.M. Holland, of this city, and Mrs. B.F. Holland, of Kinbrae. Worthington, Mn Advance Matie Jennings, 78, of Route 2, Born Jan. 11, 1909, at rural Columbus, she was the daughter She was a member of the Free Methodist Church, Columbus City. Surviving are her husband; one son, Larry, Winfield; and fourgrandchildren. Services for Mrs. Jennings will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Stacy-Lewis Funeral Home, Columbus Junction, with Revs. GregCarlson and Brown Garlock officiating. Burial will be in ColumbusCity Cemetery. A memorial has been established. Contributions may beleft at the funeral home. [Burlington Hawk-Eye | Burlington, Iowa | Tuesday, May 26, 1987] Mrs. Alfred Mellor Fear Foul Play In Death Of Woman And Son Burlington, Iowa, July 28-Mrs. Alfred Mellor, aged 37, and her three year old child were found dead in their home here this morning. The gas was turned on full, but there were evidences of a struggle, the house having been ransacked ---- the woman's hands and feet were tied with clothes. The dead bodies were found by Mr. Mellor shortly after 8 this morning when he returned to work. [Iowa City Press Citizen, Iowa City Iowa, July 28, 1920] Mrs. Emily W. Monts Died at the residence of her son Wm. H. Monts, in the town of Denton, Texas, September 1867, of Dropsy of the heart, Mrs. Emily W. Monts, aged 61 years. Mrs. Monts was a daughter of John Z. Noble of Eastern Virginia, and closely related on her mother's side to the Alexander and Washington families of that state. Marrying at an early age, she settled in Brooke county, West Virginia, and there remained until the year 1843, when she removed with her family to Des Moines county, Iowa. Residing there until 1840 she again removed to Hopkins county, Kentucky, and from thence in the fall of 1855 emigrated to Texas. While in Iowa, a domestic affliction cast the care, education and support of a large and helpless family of children upon her individual exertions, seven of whom still live to mourn her loss and bless her memory. From early childhood, she has been a consistent, pious and worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and after years of excruciating suffering, borne with Christian fortitude, she calmly fell asleep in full confidence of a glorious resurrection beyond the grave. Loved and respected by all who knew her the grief of her children for her loss finds a sympathetic cord in many a heart. [Dallas Herald, Published October 5, 1867] Mrs. Wm. Salter Mrs. Wm. Salter, wife of Rev. Dr. William Salter, of Burlington, was instantly killed by the falling of a tree upon the carriage in which she was riding with her husband and some friends, on June 12. The Burlington Hawkeye says of her: "She was an active, cheerful and courageous worker in the church and its related societies, during the almost half century of her husband's long ministry. By nature intellectual, she could not do otherwise than keep pace with her scholarly husband in all his theological studies and writings, and his literary ventures into the field of history and biography, which he has cultivated with such great success. Her richest legacy is the memory she leaves of a faithful, loving wife, affectionate mother and true woman." [Annuals of Iowa, July 1893, submitted by Cathy Danielson] R. H. Simmons Victim of Mexican Bandits Acting upon the advice from relatives, the body of R. H. Simmons will be shipped to Danville, Iowa, this afternoon by the Peak undertaking company. His mother lives there. [El Paso Herald, El Paso, Texas, Published January 14, 1916, submitted by Dale Donlon] - - - - - - - - - - R. H. Simmons was one of the victims of the San Ysabel Massacre. Read the following exerpt from a book: "This Government has repeatedly requested, in the strongest terms, that the de facto government safeguard the lives and homes of American citizens and furnish the protection, which international obligations impose, to American interests in the northern states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, and Sonora, and also in the states to the south. "For example, on January 3d, troops were requested to punish the band of outlaws which looted the Cusi mining property, eighty miles west of Chihuahua, but no effective results came of this request. "During the following week the bandit. Villa, with his band of about 200 men, was operating without opposition between Rubio and Santa Ysabel, a fact well known to Carrancista authorities. Meanwhile a party of unfortunate Americans started by train from Chihuahua to visit the Cusi mines, after having received assurances from the Carrancista authorities in the state of Chihuahua that the country was safe and that a guard on the train was not necessary. The Americans held passports of safe conduct issued by the authorities of the de facto government. On January 10th, the train was stopped by Villa bandits and eighteen of the American party were stripped of their clothing and shot in cold blood in what is now known as the Santa Ysabel Massacre. [Mexico Under Carranza, A Lawyer's Indictment of the Crowning Infamy of Four Hundred Years of Misrule, Henry Starr, Esq Death of Henry Starr, Esq., of Cincinnati This estimable gentleman, an old and distinguished member of the Cincinnati Bar, died in this city on Saturday morning last at the residence of his nephew, Henry W. Starr, Esq. His disease was typhoid fever, contracted during a journey to the north where he spent a great part of the month of July in the new and recently settled portions of Minnesota. He returned to this place on the 1st of August, and was taken sick on the 6th. His disease baffled the kind attention of friends and all the skill of his physicians, and he lingered until the 30th, when he died in great peace, and in the triumphs of a Christian faith. Henry Starr was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, in March, 1781; he was a graduate of William College, Massachusetts. He was admitted to the Bar in Connecticut, and in 1818 removed to the West. He practiced law with distinction and succes in Madison and adjacent counties in Illinois, until 1826, when he removed to Cincinnati, and resumed the practice in that city. He was eminently successful in his profession, the study of which he ever prosecuted with zeal and unusual application. His unbending integrity secured him unlimited confidence - and cases of great complication and difficulty were often referred for final decision to him, associated with the distinguished Charles Hammond - especially Insurance cases--a branch of the law in which he was profund. He was remarkably temperate and abstemious in his habits; and in all actions signally exemplified all the Christian virtues. He ever had an aversion to the turmoil of politics, and steadily declined office, though often solicited. He was beloved by all young men, to whom he was ever ready to lend a helping hand. In his charities he was unbounded, and it may well be said in the language of Woolsey; "he will have a tomb of Orphan's tears wept on him." He leaves a widow, and four step children of hers by a former marriage. Though they were unavoidably prevented from being present with him in his last moments, it will be some relief to them to know that he received every kind and considerate attention which could possibly serve to cheer and console him in his sickness. His funeral was attended on yesterday from the Congregational Church, in this city, by a large assembly. The funeral services were performed by Rev. W. Salter, pastor of the Congregational Church, assisted by Rev. Mr. Johnson, of the Baptist Church. Burlington Hawk Eye,Burlington, Iowa, September 4, 1851 Bar Meeting At a meeting of the Bar of Hamilton County convened in the Court room of the Court of Common Pleas, at 9 oclock AM. September [3rd?], 1851, on account of the death of Henry Starr. - T. Walker was called to the Chair, and J.L. Miner appointed Secretary - whereupon, on motion, Wm. Johnson, S.P. Chase, Wm. S. Groesbeek, Wm. R. Morris, Wm. M. Corry and Charles Fox were appointed to prepare resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting, who reported the following, which after appropriate remarks upon the character of the deceased by T. Walker, J. L. Miner, A. Taft, Wm. Johnson, D. Stone and S.M. Hart, were unanimously adopted. This meeting has heard of the sad intelligence of the death of Henry Starr at Burlington, in the State of Iowa. He was one of the oldest, ablest and best members of our Bar - exemplary in all the relations of life, whether regarded as a Christian, a Lawyer, a Citizen or a Man. - For more than a quarter of a century he has pursued his un ostentatious, but eminently useful, successful and instructive career among us; and has been to many of us a warm hearted and sincere friend, and to none an enemy. He has been stricken down in the prime of his faculties, away from his home, and with none of his professional brethren near. We, therefore, embody our sentiments in these resolves: That we deeply feel the loss of our departed brother, Henry Starr, and desire to pay a sincere tribute to his memory, by endeavoring to imitate his virgues. That we will transmit a copy of these proceedings to his friends in token of our sympathy in their bereavement. That these proceedings be presented to the Courts of this County, that our appreciation of his worth may stand on perpetual record. We also request the Press of this city to publish these proceedings. On motion of Rufus King, resolved, that upon the arrival of the remains in this city, the officers of this meeting give notice to the Bar of the time and place of the funeral. T. Walker, Chairman; J. L. Miner, Secretary Burlington Hawk Eye, Burlington, Iowa, September 18, 1851 Hon. J. Wilson Williams Hon. J. Wilson Williams of Des Moines county, died at his home near Burlington on the 29th of August, at the age of 77. He was born in 1816, at Charlotte, Vermont, and was educated for a civil engineer. In 1836 he came west to Chicago, and settled in Hancock county, Illinois, where for twelve years he was county surveyor. He was engaged in making the survey of the boundary line between Iowa and Missouri. In 1850 he settled at Huron, Iowa, where he continued to live up to the time of his death. In 1852 he was first elected to the Legislature and was repeatedly chosen, serving five terms in the House and two sessions in the Senate. During his first term in the House he was a colleague of James W. Grimes, afterward Governor and United States Senator. He was first a Whig, and afterwards a Republican in politics, from the organization of the latter party to the day of his death. He was one of the trustees of the Agricultural College during the years of its organization and the erection of the main building. In 1847 he married Miss Julia A. Robinson of Burlington. Mr. Williams had a very wide acquaintance throughout the State, and was esteemed as a genial, honorable and true man in every relation of life. [Annals of Iowa, October 1893, submitted by Cathy Danielson] | ||
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