FIKE, Jacob C. 1821-1902

FIKE, BLOUGH, LOHR GRADY

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 2/5/2014 at 23:41:47

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Tuesday, April 1, 1902, Waterloo, Iowa]

Passing from here into the hereafter is peacefully as a weary child falls into natural sleep, Jacob C. Fike, with the human machinery worn out, expired at the home of his son, Samuel Fike, five miles south of the city in Orange Township, at 3 o'clock this morning. The ripening sheaf was garnered by the Great Reaper at the age of 81 years, 1 month and 18 days.

The patriarch in Zion, having been a member of the Dunkard Church for 58 years, was sick only about three weeks, was sick only about three weeks. And the last three weeks of a long, busy and good life could scarcely be called sickness, as the patient suffered no pain to speak of, simply grew weaker and weaker. The vital forces were utterly depleted; the heart beat fainter and fainter and stopped forever. It was the ideal death - serene, painless, triumphant.

Deceased was born Feb. 13, 1821, in Sommerset County, Pa. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Blough May 8, 1842 and though the lady is nearly a year his senior, she survives and is in good health.

The family came to Blackhawk County in 1869, settling on the farm in Orange Township, the southwest quarter of section 28, where they have resided since.

Besides the bereaved companion of nearly sixty years, Mr. Fike leave the following children: C. J. of New Perce, Idaho; Mrs. Sallie Lohr of Bedford County, Pa,; John Fike of Waterloo, Mrs. Susan Grady of Orange; Samuel, residing on the old homestead, and Mrs. W. A. Blough, of Orange. A daughter, Miss Lizzie died Sept 21, 1871 at the age of 18 years. Thirty-three grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren also survive.

The funeral services will be held Thursday forenoon. The procession will leave the home of Samuel Fike at 10 o'clock and the sermon will be preached, in the old Dunkard church, with burial in the cemetery near by.

Deceased united with the German Baptist, or Dunkard Church in 1844, being an active and consistent Christian for the past 58 years.

Being one of the pioneers of the township Mr. Fike enjoyed a wide acquaintance among the older settlers of this section and bore the highest esteem of all whom his life touched.