Jacob W Lyons 1838-1907

LYONS, BLACK, EMRICH, MARKER, ABEL ABUHL

Posted By: Georgea Clinton (email)
Date: 4/12/2011 at 12:08:17

March 14, 1907 - Carroll Sentinel - Last Thursday morning J.W. Lyons was doing the morning chores at his farm east of the city. He had entered a stall occupied by a horse and was in the act of leaning over the manger when another horse which was lose in the yard, entered the barn and in a spirit of mischief bit the one in the stall, frightened and seeking to escape from its tormentor the horse lunged forward and Mr. Lyons was painfully crushed between horse and manger. He seems not to have minded the injury which he considered slight, but went on with the chores, although he mentioned the occurence and Mrs. Lyons wished to call a doctor.

He did not feel so well during the day, but demonstrated against calling medical aid, insisting the matter was not serious. When his son returned from school his mother directed him to go to the city after Dr. Wright, who called at once. The patient seeming to make light of the matter, the doctor judged it accordingly, but during the night Mr. Lyons had serious pain. It was found that his condition was much worse than had appeared, strangulated hernia.

But one course offered hope, an operation, which was performed at once at the hospital where the patient had been taken. He seemed to have stood the operation well, but the weakness consequent on his injury and the subsequent operation proved too much for one of his age. With his wife at his bedside he passed away Friday afternoon.

Jacob W. Lyons traced his ancestry in this country back to revolutionary days. His great grandfather came from England and settled in Rockingham Co., Virginia at an early day. He returned later to his native land to obtain a legacy, and was never heard from again. His son, David Lyons, born in Virginia was "bound out" after his departure until of age.

In 1807 he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Black and they removed to Prebel Co., Ohio in 1808. They had ten children, six sons and four daughters. Mr. Lyons was drafted for service into the army of the United States and served six months against England in the war of 1812. He resided on his farm in Preble county, Ohio until his death. His wife died in 1846, Mr. Lyons in 1860. His son Joseph Lyons, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Preeble County, Ohio, Dec 21, 1810.

He resided there until after his marriage to Miss Catharine Emrich in 1837. The lady was born June 12, 1815. In 1838 they removed to Parke county, Ohio and there Jacob W. Lyons was born, Dec. 31, 1838. He was an only son, but there were six daughters. The elder Lyons died in Preble Co., Ohio, Feb. 9, 1865.

Mr. J.W. Lyons resided in the county of his birth to the age of manhood and was united in marriage April, 1859 to Miss Lavina Marker, born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Feb. 12, 1838. Mr. Lyons purchased a farm on which they resided until they came to Iowa in 1882, when they came to Greene county where they resided one year. In September of the same year Mr. Lyons purchased the land east of the city which he owned at the time of his death. They came here in 1883.

On May 16, 1883 his wife died after a lingering illness of many years. Her mortal remains were interred in the Carroll cemetery. Besides her husband she left three sons surviving her, as follows: James A. Lyons, now of Denison, Texas; Emanuel at Clarinda hospital; and Isaac Lyons who remained at home with his father.

After the death of his first wife departed with his sons continued to reside on the farm, boarding with the families of his employees, until his marriage to Miss Sarah Abel July 2, 1886. The marriage proved a most happy one, Mrs. Lyons in every way replacing the mother to the children of her husband. She became a true loving helpmate and aided in every way to build up a home in which peace, harmony, and a Christian spirit dwelled.

The second marriage was blessed with eight children as follows:
Edwin C. born April 17, 1880 died Aug 16, 1886
Wm. J. born Sept. 22, 1887
Lu Verne born Dec 19, 1888
Harrison born Feb 1, 1891
Maud K. born Jan 22, 1893 died Dec. 19, 1895
Ulrich S. born Oct 27, 1894
Arthur R. born Nov. 26, 1897
Charles S. born Jan. 5, 1900

It was the constant aim of the departed to leave to his family both a material and spiritual heritage that would make them valuable to church and state. Mr. Lyons joined the Lutheran church at an early age. He was confirmed after a public confession of faith, following a regular course of instruction in catechism and the scripture at Trinity Evangelical church, Versallies, 0hio, Mar. 26, 1875. He remained true to his religious principles, living a thorough moral Christian life, clean in body and spirit and aiming to fulfil the misson of father of a family with credit to himself and to those intrusted to him. J.W. Lyons was public spirited, ever ready to put his shoulder to the wheel in the cause of right.

In 1860 he volunteered in the service of his country and freely offered his life in order that the nation might live. He enlisted in Co F, 152 Volunteer Ohio Inf. and served during the war, being honorably discharged at its close. In the spirit that prompted the eloquent exclamation, "we have one sentiment for the soldiers, living and dead - cheers for the living and tears for the dead." He whose "silent tent is spread" now "on fame's eternal camping ground," is mourned by all who knew him, comrades, neighbors, friends.

Relatives, the sobbing wife, the children, whose love was entwined around his heart, have our sympathy in their sad parting from him who has gone to better life. It is human to weep, although we feel that there "is no death for death is but transition." He who walked in the straight and narrow path has earned the reward promised by a benevolent Father. His example should inspire others to follow. To be able to live so as to meet him on eternity's shore, where there is no death, is the consolation to cheer the bereaved ones in again taking up life's burden. Another soul has been lifted from mortal clay to dwell in everlasting joy.

The funeral took place Monday afternoon at two o'clock from the M.E. church and was largely attended. The G.A.R. of which deceased was a prominent and active member attended in a body and their impressive burial service was read at the grave. The high school cadets as firing squad, led by Will Staak, fired the last salute as the dead hero's remains sank to his honored rest under the waving banner of the free.