John W. English 1823-1901

ENGLISH, FRY

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 7/27/2010 at 19:38:58

Carroll Sentinel
Carroll, Iowa
11 Jul 1901
Page 5

Another Pioneer Gone.

John W. English died at his home North of Town Tuesday Night at the Age of 77.

One of the pioneers of Carroll county passed away at his home north of the city Tuesday night shortly after midnight, from kidney trouble, which had been a trial to him for a long time and had confined him to his bed for the past month. All that loving hands could do had been done to alleviate his suffering and he was fully reconciled to the fact that the end was near. He had lived more than the allotted three score and ten and his long life closed in peace. The health of Mrs. English is so precarious that private funeral services were held at the residence at 2 o'clock this afternoon, only members of the family and immediate neighbors being present. The impressive services of the Episcopal church were used, the deceased having been a member of this church for many years until services being discontinued at the church here he united with the Presbyterian church. Public services were held at the Presbyterian church at 2:30, a large number of friends being present and accompanying the remains to the cemetery, where they were laid to rest. Rev. R. H. P. Miles conducted both services and delivered an able and eloquent sermon, calling attention to the many virtues and strength of character which characterized the deceased.

John W. English was in many respects a remarkable man. When but 5 years of age, his father, who was a government surveyor for the Canadian government, was brought home dead, and the devoted wife survived him but a short time, dying it was thought, of grief. Thus left an orphan he developed an energy and strength of character that made him a successful business man and brought him fame and fortune as a government contractor and in other walks of life. He was born at Ottawa, Canada, January 7, 1824, and when ten years old he went to Palmyra, N. Y., where he learned the trade of a saddler. Until 1872 he followed this trade and engaged in various lines of business in Wisconsin and Chicago, in the latter place during the war being engaged in manufacturing knapsacks, haversacks and cavalry saddles for the United States government. In 1872 he moved to this county where he has since resided. He was married in 1845 at Niagara, Canada, to Miss Jane H. Fry and from this union nine children were born, all but one who died in infancy surviving him. The eight surviving children are Mrs. Sarah Hobbs of Jasper township, J. H. of this city, F. E. of Council Bluffs, W. H. of Fremont, Neb., Miss Nellie who lives at home, W. G. of Omaha, Edward of Fort Dodge, Ernest of Hastings, Neb.

When Mr. English came to this vicinity nearly thirty years ago he had decided to retire from active business and enjoy the remainder of his life amid the pleasures of rural pursuits. After leaving the big farm seventeen years ago he still maintained his love for the country and moved to a small place just north of town where he lived until his death. He was by nature a kindly, courteous gentleman, a kind neighbor, a true friend and a sincere Christian. His friends were numbered by his acquaintances and his demise will be regretted by many beside his immediate relatives.

The Carroll Herald
Carroll, Iowa
17 Jul 1901
Page 5

In Memoriam.

One by one the familiar faces pass away into the mist. The well known form of John W. English is hidden from the mortal eyes of our citizens forever. His face with the deep lines of character live only in memory. But the influence of the pioneers of our locality can never die; they are responsible for what we are, and what our country is. But a few are left and they lean heavily on their staffs as they wearily tread our streets or sit quietly waiting in the shadow for the pilgrimage that bears them away to the new country.

John W. English first saw light when George IV was king, and Uncle Sam was not so rich as now. He was a native of Canada, born in the city of Ottawa, July 9th, 1923. When but five years of age the awful affliction of orphanage fell upon him, for both his father and mother had died. And when but a child of ten he wandered alone to Palmyra, New York, where he became an apprentice to a saddler where he learned the trade and became so efficient that when the war broke out and the government needed knapsacks, haversacks and cavalry saddles, young English was ready to take the contract and make them for the boys in blue. At the close of the war he moved with his young bride, a Miss Jane H. Fry of Niagara, to Wisconsin where in partnership with the editor of the Green Bay Gazette he engaged in the making of brick at Ripon. In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. English with their young family removed to this county, first to Roselle where they resided for some years, then they moved to the shady nook just north of town where they have since made their home and the former died at the good old age of 78.

Our neighbor English was a hard working man whose life had been filled with vigorous labor. The days of weakness lay heavily on the shoulders of the old man whose heart never felt his age, for his face was ever set towards duty. Last week he sat quietly in the doorway of the home which his labor and wisdom had earned for him. He looked like Carlyle waiting with the shadow of death upon his brow. The sun had gone down and outside the night voices were heard, the birds twittered melodies to their young, as he sat and waited. It was Tuesday night and the twilight came to him. He gathered about him the drapery of the dying and his spirit like the bird winged its way to its haven's rest. It was his birthday. His good wife, an invalid unable to move, awaited in another room. Her son on tiptoe appeared in the doorway. "Is father gone?" she asked. "Yes," came the subdued answer from the white lips. Then she gave orders for his burial and sobbed upon her sons' breast, as she whispered, "There is greater reason for me to go now."

A quiet service was held in memory of the dead at the homestead on Thursday at two. A little later the procession started to the Presbyterian church where the friends had gathered to pay their last respects. Rev. R. H. P. Miles, the pastor of the family, preached a sermon in which he turned the stricken hearts to a God of comfort. Besides his widow the deceased leaves nine children, eight of whom are living. They are Henry J., of Carroll; Frank E., of Council Bluffs; W. H. of Clear Lake, Iowa; Water G., Mrs. J. W. Hobbs of Jasper township; E. D., and Miss Nellie who has always remained at home with her parents.