COUCH, Carlton F., Judge (1945-1896)

COUCH, MANSON, PUTNAM, HUNGERFORD, MERRILL

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 1/7/2014 at 23:59:09

[Waterloo Courier, Wednesday, February 26, 1896, Waterloo, Iowa]

It is seldom that such universal sadness pervades a community as now rests upon this when old and young alike mourn the death of judge Carlton F. Couch. He was one of whom it can be truthfully said he was a friend to all, and was held in the highest esteem and respect.

His death although not wholly unexpected, yet came with a shock to Waterloo as death is always such. For seven weeks he has been confined to the house with an attack of heart and stomach trouble. This came upon him when he came from Manchester, seven weeks next Thursday, but as he had been subject to such attacks no great concern was felt in his condition. He rallied sufficiently to come down stairs one day a few weeks ago.

In trying to transact business he became tired out and was brought down with an attack of the grip, and this with other complications hastened the end. It was only last Sunday that the Judge called for the Chicago papers and read with interest the news of the day, enjoying and laughing at the caricatures presented. All day Sunday he was comfortable, his voice was strong and he was bright and cheerful and with the exception of complaining of his limbs hurting him, the Judge seemed easy. There was erythema or rash on his limbs and it, was of this the patient spoke many times, saying that it felt like a burn. An eminent specialist of Chicago, Dr. Billings, was called here in consultation the 6th of February, and he then said that Judge Couch was not beyond saving if his vitality was sufficient to overcome the shock that would come when the distended pores and muscles should be reduced. The heart, however, was not capable of performing the extra call made upon it and the machinery of life was stopped and death ensued from dilation of the heart February 24, 1896, at 10 p. m.

For five years these attacks of heart and stomach trouble have followed him but only lasting a few days at a time. The action of the heart has been stimulated and spurred for a year past, and it was hoped in time strength would return to carry on the proper functions. Everything was done that human agency could devise, but as his doctor said neither nature nor science could restore the pump that furnished the life-giving stream.

The end of Carlton Couch was quiet and peaceful. Surrounded by loving friends and relatives, he calmly entered the great unknown, into which we all must go. By a silent pressure of the hand of his wife from time to time, she knew that he realized all about him although unable to talk.

It was only the middle of August that Judge and Mrs. Couch moved into their elegant home, and this was brightened even more by the presence of the dear baby, Margaret, born in June, 1895. It seemed as if life was full of promise for the future of this family. The wife and baby daughter, the idols of a loving man's heart, the husband and father all in all to these two, but as all things earthly are transitory, so changes came sure and swift and a stricken widow's tears fall today where so short time ago the joy of love was over all. Baby Margaret will never know her father's love, but it will be treasured up and told her in years to come, and his memory kept ever before her.

All through these seven long weeks the judge has been greatly comforted and cheered by the messages sent him by anxious friends, and never an inquiry came over the telephone that he did not express gratification at their thoughtfulness. He loved his friends and was ready at any time to do all he could to assist them. The loss of such a man is an irreparable one in any community, and today we mourn as for the death of a personal friend. He had a nature, that was extremely genial and kind. He was whole souled and true. A friend who knew him in his early days, when he first came to Waterloo, said he was a general favorite from the day he came until the end. He made friends and kept them to the last. Many of these will greet him on tho other shore. He was not very robust when he came here and was thin in flesh, and scorned marked for consumption, but the air of Iowa agreed with him and with fresh vigor and enthusiasm he began his study of law.

Judge Carlton F, Couch was born May 25, 1845, in Chautauqua County, New York, and was the son of Warren Couch. His early education was received at the district schools of his native state, and later he attended academies at Westfield and Jamestown. In the spring of 1866 he came to Waterloo and the same year began to read law with Bagg, Allen & Miller. After this firm was disolved and Boies & Allen formed he continued his study with them, completing his work in 1867 and was admitted to the bar.

He was clerk for Boies & Allen for two or three years and then became a member of the firm. The firm continued as Boies, Allen & Couch until Jan. 1878, although after 1874 Mr. Allen was not actively connected with the firm. The firm of Boies & Couch continued until 1882 when Mr. Couch was elected judge of the Ninth district, which is composed for five counties, Dubuque, Delaware, Buchanan, Blackhawk and Grundy. He served in this office from Jan. 1, 1883, to Jan. 1, 1891. After retiring from this position he succeeded Mr. Husted in the law firm of Boies, Husted & Boies, and the firm has been Boies, Couch & Boies for several years.

Judge Couch has been eminently successful as a jurist and has won an enviable reputation at the bar. When the Waterloo State Bank was organized in 1893 Judge Couch was elected president of the institution and has held the position continuously since that time. In 1890 Judge Couch was the Democratic candidate for representative to congress from the Third district, but was defeated by Col. D. B. Henderson. Mr. Couch voted for Horace Greely when he was candidate for president, and since that time has voted the Democratic ticket. Ex-Governor Boies spoke in the highest terms of his dead associate and said with deep emotion that there never had been an unkind word from the judge's lips in all their relations; that he seemed like a brother to him, and no brother could have been kinder or more considerate. These words are but an echo of the sentiments heard on every side in speaking of the dead man.

Carlton Couch was acquainted with sorrow and his life of prosperity was saddened by the death of his wife, Jessie Manson Couch, who died May 29, 1879. They were married in 1873 and one daughter, Gertie, was born. She died in 1887.

June 21, 1893 Judge Couch was married to Miss Laura E. Putnam, in Dubuque. Miss Putnam was a successful teacher in the Waterloo high school and a general favorite in society, and their marriage has been an ideally happy one. Besides the wife and daughter, Judge Couch leaves brothers and sisters: Mrs. N. S. Hungerford of this city and Mrs. Merrill, who so recently visited here and spent some time with her brother. A brother from Cory, Pennsylvania, will be here to attend the funeral.

The services will be held Thursday afternoon from the house. Notice of the hour will be given later. The Bar association of Blackhawk county will attend the funeral in a body. For years Judge Couch has been a member of the executive board of the association. There will be friends in attendance from all over the state, and each and everyone will mourn the loss of this high-minded, whole-souled man.

In the professional world he will be sadly missed, and in the social circles where he was always welcome, his presence will be missed. In the home, words fail to express the loneliness that will be felt without the kind and considerate man whose earthly career has
closed.

Judge Couch was a member of the Congregational church of this city.

Those desiring to see the face of Judge Couch for the last time, will go to the house between 9 and 11 o'clock, Thursday morning.

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Added 4 Feb 2020:

Source: Decorah Republican Mar. 5, 1896 P 3 C 2

The Late Judge Couch.
It is something above words to have lived a life so true and honorable as to win such a tribute as this from one who was a political opponent for many years.

We quote from the Manchester Press:
In the death of Judge Carlton P. Couch, at his home in Waterloo, Mon­day, the bar of the state loses one of its most distinguished members and the community in which he lived a citizen whose purity of life and beauty of char­acter were recognized by all with whom he came in contact.

Judge Couch came to Iowa in 1866, locating at Waterloo for the practice of law. From 1882 to to{sic} 1890 he served as judge of the tenth judicial district, which included the counties of Delaware, Grundy, Blackhawk, Dubuque and Buchanan. His resignation from that position was tend­ered in order that he might accept the nomination for congress from this dis­trict, on the Democratic ticket. Judge Couch was a man whose impartiality and integrity in judicial as well as per­sonal and business matters were never brought into question.

He was devoted to his home and family, a man of clean lips and heart, and a friend who never betrayed a confidence. Perhaps the district has held no more popular man. Certainly no other was more deserving of the esteem and affection so gladly accorded this one.

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