SUSSONG, Charles H.

SUSSONG, COONLEY

Posted By: Suzanne West (email)
Date: 11/15/2002 at 17:10:57

Died at Des Moines and Brought to Laporte City for Burial.
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The news of the death of Charles H. Sussong, which occurred at the home of his parents in Des Moines last Friday, was received here by wire Saturday morning and caused the deepest regret among his host of friends.

Mr. Sussong was born in this city twenty-eight years ago, was educated in the La Porte schools and ever since 1885, when he entered the printing office of S. A. Wagoner, at that time publisher of the "Review," had been identified in one capacity or another with the newspaper business of this city. In 1892 when the "Progress" and the "Review" were consolidated and conducted by a stock company composed of a number of Laporte merchants, Mr. Sussong was made secretary of the company and acted as business manager and editor of the consolidated paper, then called the "Register." When the plant was purchased by its present owner Mr. Sussong was made forman and continued to act in that capacity until some six months ago when failing health compelled him to cease work. He then, with his family, went to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sussong, in Des Moines and placed himself under the charge of skilled physicians, but too late, however, to save his life. The insidious disease of which he was a victim -consumption- had already marked him for its own. The medical men could offer him no relief, tender care and loving solicitude could not avert the disaster. He grew worse steadily, conscious that the end was not far off. He bore up bravely and patiently. Two weeks before he died he joined the Methodist Episcopal church and was baptised. When the end came, he was conscious to the last moment; he waived his hand to the sorrow stricken group at his bed side and his last words were "May God bless you all" and thus he died.

Charley was everybody's friend, rarely had he an ill word to speak of anyone; he was a skilled workman and a faithful employee, honest and honorable in all of his dealings. His life was an exemplary one and his home and those who constituted it, he loved above all things.

He was married in October 1892 to Miss Allie Coonley, and besides his widow, parents, brother, and sister he leaves one child, a baby boy two years old.

His funeral took place at the residence of his parents in Des Moines Sunday and the body was brought to this city for interment. The remains were met at Waterloo Sunday night by Messrs Chase, Holck, Abbott and McCutcheon, a committee from Narcissus Lodge K. of P. of this city of which he was a member and by E. L. Esher, representing this office. They arrived here on No. 6 and were taken to the K. of P. lodge room where the committee remained with them all night. Monday morning many of the friends of the deceased paid their last tribute of respect to their dead freind and then under escort of the K. of P. Lodge the interment took place, with Pythian honors, at West View Cemetery.

Many beautiful floral offerings adorned the casket, noticeable among them being a handsome shield of the K. of P. colors presented by Narcissus lodge; a bouquet of carnations from the Rathbone Sisters, a beautiful basket from the ladies of the M. E. church and a printers "stick" from the employees of THE PROGRESS-REVIEW.

Those who accompanied the remains from Des Moines were Henry Sussong, Mrs. C. H. Sussong and E. F. Sussong.