Lancelot, William John (1849-1919)

LANCELOT, CROW, CROWE, WILSON, HICKS, SPOO, EGBERT, MATSON

Posted By: Ken Akers (email)
Date: 3/12/2017 at 00:01:51

Audubon County Journal (IA)
Thursday, Sep. 4, 1919, pg. 1

(portrait photo)

William John Lancelot

William John Lancelot, pioneer resident of Audubon County
and managing editor of the Journal since 1905, departed this life
last Monday morning, September 1, at 5:55 o'clock.

He was born December 4, 1849, at Falmouth, England, but
at the age of eighteen emigrated to America, coming directly to
Clayton County, Iowa. Here he was married to Miss Phoebe
Crow, September 7, 1873. Three years later, with two children
in arms, they migrated westward, their journey coming to an end
near Cameron Center in Audubon County in June of 1876.
After eleven years spent here on the home farm, they removed to
Ross, and soon after, to Gray, where they continued to reside
until 1905 when they removed to Exira.

Eight children in all were born to them, and all as well as
the bereaved wife are still living. They are: W. H. Lancelot,
Ames, Iowa; Mrs. E. C. Wilson Exira; K. G. Lancelot, Sioux
Falls, S. D.; M. J. Lancelot, Des Moines; Mrs. Phil Hansen,
St. Paul, Minn.; Mrs. John Hicks, Craig, Colorado; Mrs. Will
Spoo, Exira; Mrs. J. A. Egbert, Carneyville, Wyoming. All
were in attendance at the funeral.

The funeral was held yesterday (Thursday) afternoon at two
o'clock,--for many years the regular press hour of the Journal.
The service was conducted at the Methodist church, Rev. Matson
of the Christian church, assisted by Rev. Baldwin, officiating.

One of Mr. Lancelot's chief traits was his unvarying and
steadfast stand for the best interests and highest ideals of family
and community life. Every worthy cause that could contribute
to these ends found in him a staunch and aggressive advocate
and friend. The ruling impulse of his life was kindness and good
will toward others. He bore no malice and nurtured no grudges.
The faults of others he would not see. His misfortune was a retiring
disposition which made it hard for others to learn to know
him; and his secret sorrow was that he was sometimes condemned
because he was misunderstood. Harsh criticism hurt him more
cruelly than others knew when such befell.

The patience and kindness which marked his daily life made
him the idol of his household and won him the respect of those
who knew him best. Perhaps not in a quarter of a century has
he been heard to speak an ungenerous or unkind word within the
family circle.

Yet during all this time he has been fighting a desperate but
hopeless battle with death. His courage never failed him though
he knew what the end must be; and the bravest of all his
struggles was that to conceal his troubles and to be ever sunny
and cheerful in the presence of others. This fight he won, though
he lost the greater one. During Sunday afternoon and evening,
when dissolution had already set in, his answer to every question
was given with a serene and cheery smile.

He was not rich in this world's goods though this was in part
the result of deliberate choice. In a letter written only a few
weeks since, he stated that he had narrowly missed two fortunes
in his life but was truly and sincerely glad he had done so for he
felt certain that if he had acquired them, he would have missed
what to him seemed worth far more. To the rearing of his family
he devoted his last measure of vital energy; and in their development
into manhood and womanhood he found the deepest
joy of his life.

--------

NOTICE

Owing to the funeral of
W. J. Lancelot, late editor
of The Journal, occurring
yesterday afternoon, we are
compelled to issue the paper
one day later this week.

Note: Parents of William John Lancelot were William and Isabella Lancelot.