USA > Iowa > Jackson County > Annals of Jackson county, Iowa, Vol 1-6 > Part 64
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G. W. CLARKE.
Ottumwa, Iowa, September 10, 1909. Mr. J. W. Ellis, Maquoketa, Iowa.
My dear Ellis: I have your letter with reference to making a ten min- ute talk on the 22nd, at the dedication of the Briggs monument. I very much rerget that I will most probably be unable to be with you. Our court is now in session and I shall begin the trial of a case next week which in all probabliity will occupy sufficient time to keep me here on the date men- tioned. Thanking you for your kind invitation, I am
Yours very truly, EDWIN G. MOON.
Sioux City, Iowa, September 10, 1909.
Hon. J. W. Ellis, Maquoketa, Iowa.
My dear Mr. Ellis: Your letter of the 9th inst. at hand, in which you extend invitation to be present and take part in the program in the dedica- tion of Briggs monument the 22nd inst. I am deeply grateful to you for your kind invitation, and would be highly pleased to take advantage of the opportunity if possible, however, I hardly feel safe in saying at the present time that I can be with you on the 22nd. We have so many matters pend- ing at this time that it will probably be impossible for me to get away without great inconvenience. I wish to thank you most heartily for this kind invitation, and assure you that it is my hope that you will realize all that you anticipated for this memorable day. You are to be congratulated on the work you did in getting the bill through the legislature last winter, and ought to receive due credit in your county for the same. It would be a delight to me to give personal testimony in your county to the excellent work that you did in this regard last session. Thanking you again for the kind invitation, I beg to remain Yours truly, W. L. HARDING.
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Buffalo, Iowa, Sept. 10, 1909.
Honorable J. W. Ellis, Maquoketa, Iowa.
My dear Sir: Accept my thanks for your kind invitation to participate in the unveiling of the monument so justly due to that good man, Ansel Briggs. As a man I knew him many years before he was governor. In 1836, when managing his mail route from Dubuque to Burlington, he ar- ranged with my father for a stop and feed station at Buffalo. My father was then postmaster here. Ansel Briggs, as I remember him, was a plain, common sense man, not especially brilliant but one of God's noblemen, an honest man. It was to be regretted that the Iowa legislature hesitated so long in donating to this monument when so willing to set apart a much larger sum for a monument to Senator Grimes.
Please pardon me for changing to a different subject. My father, whom I mentioned above established a ferry across the river here making out a road to Monmouth forty miles south in Illinois, and running north to Du- buque lead mines 74 miles due north and, took a claim upon the Wapsipini- con, placing John Shuck in charge ; also a claim below the forks of the Ma- quoktea, sending in 1835, Wallace and Soloman Pence to hold this claim. They took claims and settled there, no doubt the first actual settlers of Jackson county, or then Dubuque county. I presume I knew many of your early settlers, but in sadness must state that all of them have crossed the mighty river from whence there will be no return. Have been a great suf- ferer for more Than a year and have been hindered much in this writing by piercing pains in my head. Am an old man within 60 days of 87 years, i. e. the 14th of November next, so you will see that it is impossible for me to be with you in doing justice to that grand good man, Ansel Briggs, Iowa's first governor. Most truly yours, W. L. CLARK.
Are you a son of my old friend, Lyman Ellis? Warm friends in all but politics. Well do I remember his dry, quaint manner and speech.
Halstead, Kansas, September 12, 1909. J. W. Ellis, Secretary Historical Society.
Your kind invitation received and nothing would give me more pleas- ure than to be present at the unveiling of the monument of Ansel Briggs, Iowa's first governor, for I was born in the town of Andrew in 1844 and knew the governor from my early childhood but having made arrangements to be in Maquoketa, Oct. 20 and 21 at the reunion of Iowa's old Regiment, the Second Iowa Cavalry, it will be impossible for me to be there.
Yours with respects, R. H. McDONALD.
Hampton, Iowa, Sept. 21, 1909.
Hon. James W. Ellis, Maquoketa, Iowa.
My dear Sir: I have delayed replying to your kind invitation with the hope that I could give you a favorable reply, but I find I will be unable to attend the dedication of the monument erected in honor of our first gover- nor. You are entitled to much credit for your untiring efforts in causing this monument to be erected, and I heartily congratulate you and your peo- ple on attaining your hearts' desire. I am sorry I cannot be with you and bespeak for you a pleasant and profitable occasion. With kind regards, I re- main
Yours very truly, N. W. BEEBE.
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Chicago, Ill., September 21, 1909. J. W. Ellis, Sec'y Jackson County Historical Society, Maquoketa, Iowa.
Dear Sir: We have your invitation to attend the monument dedication at Andrew on September 22nd. We regret, however, we shall be unable to meet with you. We take this opportunity to congratulate you upon the successful culmination of your efforts in this very worthy cause, and beg to remain
Yours very truly, E. E. and A. D. PALMER.
Washington, D. C., September 16, 1909. Mr. J. W. Ellis, Maquoketa, Iowa.
Dear Mr. Ellis: Your kind invitation to be present at the unveiling of a monument to honor the memory of Governor Briggs received. I appre- ciate what you are doing. It is a gracious act on your part and on the part of the people of Jackson County. I regret that it will not be possible for me to be present, as I have just returned from a survey of Department work in the far West and must attack business of the Department that is now in arrears. Respectfully, JAMES WILSON,
Secretary of Agriculture.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, September 30, 1909. Hon. J. W. Ellis, Maquoketa, Iowa.
Dear Mr. Ellis: Your invitation to be present at the unveiling of the Briggs monument on the 22d inst. has been received. I find that I will be unable to meet with you on that occasion, which I very much regret. The interest you have taken in honoring the memory of the first Governor of the Commonwealth of Iowa is worthy of commendation.
Sincerely yours, ALBERT N. HARBERT.
Council Bluffs, Iowa, Sept. 23, 1909. Mr. J. W. Ellis, Maquoketa, Iowa.
My dear Ellis: Your favor of the 15th inst. directing my attention to the dedication on yesterday, came duly to hand. It was not possible for me to be with you. I promised nearly a year since to read a paper before the Municipal League on the subject of terminal taxation. My date was fixed for the 22nd. of September, and I was in Fort Dodge yesterday. I saw by the papers that you had a very fine occasion notwithstanding that the rain somewhat interfered with the exercises. You have reason to be proud of your success in this matter. Through you the people of the State of Iowa have been able to do justice to a very able man.
With kindest regards I remain, Very truly, C. E. SAUNDERS. Waterloo, Iowa, September 15, 1909. Hon. J. W. Ellis, Maquoketa, Iowa.
My dear Sir: I regret very much that it will be impossible for me to be present at the dedication of the Ansel Briggs monument. My health is such that the doctors say it will be some time before I will be able to do any traveling. It is a great disappointment to Mrs. Feely and myself as we had planned a pleasant trip and I would have appreciated very much the honor of being on the program of the dedication of the monument to lowa's first Governor. With kindest wishes.
Yours very truly, GUY A. FEELY.
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Waukon, Iowa, September 14, 1909.
Mr. J. W. Ellis, Maquoketa, Iowa.
Dear Sir: It is with the greatest of pleasure that I hold your invitation to the dedication of the Briggs monument, and I congratulate you in your splendid success of securing the same. I desire to thank you for interesting me in the cause and any work that I performed was a work of humanity and of brotherly love for yourself. I cherish the memory of our work and of our friendly relations, hoping that every detail will be perfect. There is a fighting chance for me to be with you ; I will if possible.
Yours very truly, E. H. FOURT.
Omaha, Nebr, September 15. 1909. Mr. J. W. Ellis, Sec. Jackson Co. Historical Society, Maquoketa, Iowa.
Dear Sir: This will acknowledge receipt of your kind invitation to be present at the unveiling of a monument in memory of Ansel Briggs, first Governor of your state. There will be a representative of both Wm. A. and Geo. C. Chapmans family in attendnce. Thanking you for this invitation we are, Yours truly, MR. and MRS. W. A. CHAPMAN.
Bellevue, Iowa, September 15, 1909.
Friend J. W. Eills: Much obliged for your kind invitation to be pres- ent at Andrew on the 22nd. Will be there sure if alive and well, and it does not storm early in the morning. Passed 86 years on the second of this month, but couldn't help it, felt rather ashamed and kept very quiet.
Yours truly, M. G. HYLER.
The Omaha Daily Bee, Omaha, Aug. 21, 1909. Mr. J. W. Ellis.
My dear Sir :- I beg to thank you for your kind invitation ot attend the unveiling of the Ansel Brigg's monument and rerget that other engage- ments in Sept. will prevent me from attending. Thank you none the less for the thoughtful remembrance. Very truly yours,
VICTOR ROSEWATER.
Clinton, Iowa, Sept. 4, 1909. Hon. J. W. Ellis, Secretary, Maquoketa, Iowa.
Dear Mr. Ellis :- I am in receipt of your kind invitation to be present at the exercises of unveiling the monument erected to honor the memory of Ansel Briggs, first governor of the State of Iowa. I thank you for the invitation and while it would afford me much pleasure to meet with citi- zens of Iowa on the occasion named, I regret to inform you that owing to an important busine s engagement in California, it will be Impossible for me to attend the exercises. With personal regards to you and through you to my many warm friends in Jackson county, I am
Yours very truly,
G. M. CURTIS.
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side the r Hull's
EULOGY AND LIFE SKETCH OF W. E. RICHARDSON
Written and Read at Funeral by His Neighbor and Friend, Charley Wyckoff.
(Reprinted from The Preston Times )
The funeral of W. E. Richardson was held at the Richardson home near Union Center, Sunday. Sept. 19 1909. The service was conducted by Rev. McBride of Preston, and a song service was conducted by his old-time friend, Ben Van Steinburg. The remains were encased in a beautiful cas- ket covered with floral offerings brought by friends. The pallbearers were neighbors-Ed Haner, Henry Wellendorf, Clark Stewart, Robert Gilmore, Thad Schlegel and Ed Reubsamen. After the reading of the burial service and prayer by Rev. McBride, Charley Wyckoff read a short biographical eu- logy he had prepared. Rev. McBride sang a very beautiful and appropriate solo, after which the hundreds of people that filled the house and the sur- rounding yard were permitted to view the remains, which were then taken to the cemetery near the home and laid to rest beside father and mother gone before.
The following is the article read by Mr. Wyckoff, at the funeral :
"Neighbors and friends: It was thought fitting upon this sad occasion to have some one other than a preacher, some firend who, by long acquaint- ance, could say some words of friendship and love and true neighborly friendship-words spoken by one that knows whereof he speaks; word by one who has known this dear departed friend, known him in childhood, as a man, known him as a friend and never found him wanting in anything that makes a true American citizen.
"Another life is closed : a face that has been so familiar in Jackson coun- ty for many years has passed from life; duties well done; to find sweet rest in the immortal field of paradise. Death, the angel of peace and joy to the weary, is always a grief-bearing messenger to hearts bereft of one of life's brightest charms, a dear friend's love, a dear friend's counsel. Although a long life has been lived and its trials have been met with honest heart de- termined to do right, still death's visit causes sorrow which only the alley- iating influence of time can heal. Lives of usefulness are not soon forgot- ten. Their influence never ends. Such was the life of W. E. Richardson. whose spirit passed peacefully to rest Friday, September 17, 1909.
"W. E. Richardson was born July 5, 1846, in the little old log cabin be-
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side the road in Fairfield township, at what was known at that time as Hull's Corners. He was the son of the late S. A. Richardson, so well and favorably known throughout Jackson county as one of the early pioneers. He grew to manhood in Fairfield township, where he has always lived ex- cept some two years while a boy he lived in Washington territory at Walla Walla and some two years after his marriage he lived in Shelby county, Iowa. He was married to Clara Belle Blakely on the 18th day of January, 1877. There were born to them, two children, Helen, now wife of Allan Fowler of Fairfield township, and Mary, living at home.
"Some fifteen years ago he had some kind of growth on his lip. He had it operated on some three times, and it was thought by his family that it was cured. Some two years ago his jawbone became affected, and he sub- mitted to another operation about one year ago, having part of the bone removed, and again his family and friends hoped that a cure had been ac- complished, but God had ordered it different, and it again began its work of destruction, and although all that could be done by skilled doctors was done, yet he gradually became worse. but was of such a patient disposition he did not complain of much pain. Day by day he became weaker until on the morning of September 17, 1909, his spirit passed peacefully to rest. He was at his death, 63 years, 2 months and 12 days old.
"He was warm hearted and hospitable. At his home the latch-string always hung out. He was not a member of any church, but was liberal in his belief, was free from sectarian prejudice, and was willing to assist any organization that he believed would benefit his fellow man. In fact his re- ligion consisted of charity, that kind spoken of by Peter, that suffers long and is kind; that is not puffed up; that charity, that is the golden ladder that reaches from earth to heaven; that charity, that when it becomes the ruling power, prompts men to act. The sectarian wall that divides the christian churches will crumble into dust, earth become heaven, and hell a fable and happiness before unknown be man's crowning glory.
"Politically, he was a democrat and always ready to do what he could to help to advance the cause of true democracy: He was a 32nd degree Ma- son. He was honored by the township with offices of trust; has been one of the members of the board of directors of the Farmers Insurance Com- pany more than twenty years. In all his dealings and transactions he aim- ed to be honest and if a mistake was made it was one of the head and not of the heart. He was warm hearted, open handed and charitable, ever will- ing to share his mite with those about him and ready to do all in his power to smoothe the path of his friends and neighbors, and they will long re- member his many acts of kindness and self-sacrifice on his part. He was a man of high mental attainments, strong purpose, was well read, was con- sidered a substantial man in the community, was a man of high character, was of a cheerful and happy disposition with a kind word for all and al- ways inclined to look on the bright side of life.
"Thus have I in my bungling manner tried to gather a brief history of my departed friend. But there is another and a more perfect history that is written in never fading characters on the hearts of his family, and on the hearts of his friends, a history that will live to wield an influence for
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good on his neighborhood long after what I have written will be forgotten. His children will cherish the remembrance of his many virtues as a price- less legacy. His sorrowing wife will remember his pleasant smile with which he was ever wont to greet her. He was a loving husband, a kind and loving father, and a kind neighbor. His home was always made pleasant by his presence. He was esteemed by all that knew him, as a genial and noble man. That he was dearly loved by his children and dear wife was shown by the never tiring care with which they tried to keep him with them. No husband had better wifely care; no father's aching head had kinder hands to soothe it and help to bear the bitter pain of death; but his time had come and we mourn his loss.
"Peace to his ashes."
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N. MANCHESTER, INDIANL
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