Kerlin, George Bowes 1859-1896

KERLIN, HARKER

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 5/5/2016 at 08:39:10

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune - Jan 1, 1897 - The people of Storm Lake were shocked beyond power to words to express by the announcement last Monday morning that George Kerlin had sustained during the previous night a stroke of apoplexy and that his recovery was impossible and all hearts were saddened when at noon it was announced that he had passed away.

He had been ill during the previous week while on a business visit to Ida Grove but had so far recovered that his friends and relatives had no thought but that he would soon be restored to complete health. He had been uptown Sunday and during the evening had played in the genial way so natural to him with his little daughter.

Shortly after retiring he spoke of feeling restless and as he had frequently done, said to his wife he would not disturb her but would sleep in an adjoining room. Mrs Kerlin awoke during the night under the impression that she had been awakened by loud noise and going to her husbands room, found him unconscious. In all possible haste she sent the little girl to call George Brown who lived in the next house.

Mr Brown went immediately and aroused Dr Kerlin and the family of Mrs Kerlins mother, Mrs Harker. Dr Stevens was immediately sent for and everything that love and medical skill could do was done with no avail. Death occurred at 11:50.

The funeral was held Wednesday under Masonic auspices. The services were held at the family residence. A long procession of sympathetic friends accompanied the mourning relatives with the remains of their loved one to the Storm Lake cemetery, where they were laid to rest.

George Bowes Kerlin was born at Milesburgh, Centre County, Pennsylvania June 15, 1859 and moved with is parents to Lena, IL in 1860. He attended the High school at Lena, IL. He was educated at Beloit College, Beloit, WI where he was a room mate of Scott M Ladd, recently elected Supreme Judge with whom he formed a friendship that continued strong and close to the end. He read law with D Meachem at Freeport, IL for two years and afterward graduated from Union College of Law, Chicago.

After graduation he spent 2 years in the law office of Col. E.B. McLanahan, Chicago. In 1883 he came to Storm Lake and engaged in the practice of his profession with C.A. Irwin but discontinued the partnership and became cashier of the Farmers Loan & Trust bank at Fonda, working at an extensive business. He relinquished this position to accept one in Storm Lake with the Ballou Banking Co and was sole manager of their business. He later resumed the practice of law and in connection therewithin investment business.

On Feb 9, 1887 he was married to Miss Sibyl J Harker, who with the little daughter, Mildred A Kerlin, that has blessed their union, have in their sad bereavement of a loving husband and father, the deep sympathy of the community, as has also his father, in the loss of an only son whose love was one of the greatest comforts of life. His mother died several years since.