ILLINGWORTH, William Longfield 1839-1908

ILLINGWORTH, TULLOCH, HILLMAN, HILL, CROFT

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 5/16/2013 at 13:36:07

[Semi-Weekly Reporter, Waterloo, Iowa, February 18, 1908]

Just as the sun was tinting the horizon Sunday morning the spirit of W. L. Illingworth took flight into the great beyond., The end came peacefully at 6:10 o'clock after a week of illness due to a surgical operation and complications of lung trouble.

Mr. Illingworth was taken sick ten days ago with pains in the region of the appendix, but he went about his work at the Union mill as usual and did not give up until Saturday evening. A physician diagnosed his aliment as appendicitis, and advised a surgical operation. Sunday evening at 7:00 o'clock he was taken to the Presbyterian hospital,and the operation was performed shortly after. When an Incision was made the surgeons found Intestinal complications, and the patient was on the operating able for over an hour.

After the effects of the anesthetic wore off Mr. Illingworth rallied nicely and for a time it was thought his recovery would be speedy. On Thursday his condition took a turn for the worse and symptoms of pneumonia became apparent. His heart was unable to withstand the nervous shock and he sank rapidly. Relatives were called and they were with him continually until he breathed his last Sunday morning.

William Longfield Illingworth was born at Lancaster, Erie County, New York, March 17, 1839 and would have been 69 years old had he lived until his next birthday.

At the age of 17 he started out In the world.for himself and decided to investigate the possibilities of the west. He first stopped at Belvedere, Ill., and then came farther west, locating at, Manchester. While at Manchester he secured a position in the mills and thus began his career as miller, a vocation he followed until death folded his hands in eternal rest. A few years at Manchester sufficed to give him ideas in milling and he went to Janesville, Iowa. While a resident of that place he was married to Catharine Tulloch, of Buffalo Grove, Iowa, the ceremony being performed there February 27, 1861.

In 1868 Mr. Illingworth left Janesville for Waterloo where there were greater possibilities in the field of endeavor. He became connected with the Union Mill company and remained with it for 38 years, being for many years secretary of the institution. In that capacity he did much toward combining the flouring interests of Waterloo and Cedar, Falls and was considered one of the best and most efficient millers in the country. He remained with the Union Mill company until 1906, when he retired for a year and a half. The fondness for his old time occupation was so strong that he returned to the mill last May. Since that time he worked doubly hard and his health became undermined.

W. L. Illlngworth was a man of extensive business interests, being a director of the Commercial National Bank, Perpetual Building and Loan, interested in the Cutler Hardware Co. and the Waterloo Loan and Trust Co. Despite his business affairs, he had time to devote to the building up of the city and Waterloo owes much, to the endeavor of this one man. His death has taken from the midst one of the city's best and most progressive citizens.

He was councilman from the fourth ward for sixteen years, his term of office being from 1888 to 1906 with the exception of 1896 and 1897. His name had been mentioned for the office of mayor at the coming election, a tribute which shows the esteem and confidence of his many friends.

Mr. Illlngworth's, first wife died many years ago and in 1894 he, was married to Miss Mollie Doxey of Waterloo, who survives. Two children are living, C. W. Illingworth, treasurer of Blackhawk County, and Mrs. Anna Hillman, corner of Franklin and. Fifth Streets., Brothers and sisters are Edwin Illingworth, of Medina, N. Y.; Mrs. Mary A. Hill, of Adams Basin, N. Y., Stephen Illingworth, of Boston;. Mrs Emma J. Croft, 719 East Seventh Street, Waterloo.

Edwin Illingworth is very ill at present and will be unable to attend the funeral. Mrs. Hill is expected to arrive at 6:00 O'clock this afternoon. Stephen Illingworth, of Boston, was touring California and was located at Oakland, when the death message reached him. He will come at once. This brother was in Waterloo a month ago visiting at the Illingworth home en route from Boston to California.

The. remains were conveyed from the hospital to his late home, 625 Franklin Street. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from Grace Methodist Church, Fourth and Mulberry, of which he was a member. Services will be in charge of Rev. B. D. Hull, pastor of the church Burial will be in Fairview, in charge of the Masonic order, of which Mr. Illingworth was long a member.