William M. Trailer (1932-1903)
TRAILER, ROBINSON, BELL, ALLEN, SQUIRES, WOODS, JOHNSON
Posted By: Carl Malone (email)
Date: 6/26/2016 at 07:58:18
The Atlantic Daily Telegraph
Atlantic, Iowa
October 12, 1903LIFE OF WM. M. TRAILER.
WM. Trailer was born near Old Salem, Menard county, Ill., Feb. 19, 1832. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Robinson) Trailer. His father was a native of Kentucky, while his mother came from Virginia The family came to Illinois three years before the subject of this sketch was born, and lived near Old Salem until William was ten, when moved with his parents to Petersburg, Ill, where he worked constantly to help support the family and for this reason was deprived of even a common school education.
After he became a man he worked for 25c per day. He cradled wheat (which required a good strong man) for $10 per month. In this way he began to save a little, which was his starting point on the road to financial success.
On March 28, 1853, he was married to Miss Sarah Bell. To this union eight children were born, Harriet (Allen), Stewart Trailer, Minerva (Squires), Artie (Woods) and Henry Trailer (three dying in infancy)
In Aug. 1864 Mr. Trailer came to Iowa and bought 160 acres of land in Brighton twp. He returned to Illinois, and sold his personal property and with his family he came to Iowa, making the journey by wagon, reaching here Oct. 20, 1864. A log cabin was built which served as a home for eighteen months, then Mr. Trailer brought lumber of Boonsboro with wagon and erected a frame house but this burned down in less than three years and he built the large house that is still their home.
Mr. Trailer’s wife died Feb. 9, 1868 and he was wedded to Miss Sarah Johnson, July 1, 1869. To this union were born six children, Jamie (died in infancy,) Thomas, Edward, Francis, Murray and Grace.
Deceased was one of the brave pioneers who braved the perils of an unsettled country and assisted in establishing the grand old empire of the middle west. Coming as he did to this country, while young, he became interested in its growth, and kept in touch with all operations towards it good and advancement.
He had a very wide acquaintance and was generally liked by all who knew him. He was kind hearted, generous, and was known by many to oft-times be better than he professed.
He was converted at Concord, Ill., under the preaching of an evangelist, about the time he was married. United with the Cumberland Presbyterian church of which he was a member for many years; then transferred to the Methodist Protestant, which church he was one of the strongest supporters in Marne and was still a member at death.
He has for many years been a member of the Masonic Fraternity, having taken the 32 degree at Des Moines, April 2, 1899.
He was also a charter member of the A. O. U. W. of Marne, Iowa.
In the church he will be greatly missed on account of his willingness to push forward any enterprise that tended to uplift humanity.
As a citizen, the community at large will feel that they have lost a friend. But in the home—as companion and father—his place can never be filled. His counsel, kindness, sympathy and love will be greatly missed.
During the past three years his wife has been an invalid and not only has the best of medical skill been in attendance but he did everything he knew or heard of that he thought might relieve her suffering or add to her happiness. During the past three months she has been blessed with better health since taking sick, and great hope was entertained by the family for her ultimate recovery, But alas, God moves in a mysterious way and just now as they planned so much on her health being restored and riding out together, the dark angel of death came to call him away.
On Wednesday, Sept. 23rd as Mr. Trailer was taking his daughter Grace to school, they were going down the hill just west of Marne when a bolt gave way in the shaft, letting them drop on the horses heels. The horse immediately began to run throwing Grace to the ground but she escaped uninjured. After running a short distance the buggy struck a ditch and Mr. Trailer was thrown out. Kind friends soon came to his assistance and he was carried in an unconscious condition to the home of his daughter, Mrs Squires. Medical aid was immediately summoned but after a thorough examination Dr. Morris of Atlantic, said he was badly hurt, having a cerebral hemorrhage and paralysis and the chance for recovery was not assured.
He was carried to his home on a stretcher and the following morning Dr Bridges of Omaha was called in council; but it soon became evident that the best of medical skill could not save him as he failed quite rapidly until 8 a.m. Sunday morning when the dark angel of death quietly called him home.
An autopay [autopsy] showed cerebral hemorrhage, a large clot at base of brain, extravasation of kidney and paralysis of left side and bowels.
Funeral services were held at the residence at 2 p. m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, conducted by Rev. C. J. Nutt of Keswick, Iowa. He used as a basis for his talk 2nd Cor. 5th Chap. 1st. and with it paid a glowing tribute to the life of the departed.
The floral offerings were many and beautiful. He was followed to the cemetery by the largest procession ever seen in Marne, there being in attendance the Marne Masonic Fraternity and A. O. U. W. and the commandery [commandry] from Atlantic.
The last earthly remains were laid to rest in the Marne cemetery to await the resurrection morn.
And now he is gone and the only consolation that is left to his loved ones is his dying words---“its all right” and they have that sweet realization that their loving companion, father and brother is at peace.
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