Egbert, William P. (1831-1904) 3 Obits

EGBERT, HIGHLEY, HAWLEY

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 2/7/2019 at 20:56:46

Obits from 3 different Atlantic newspapers below:

The Atlantic Messenger
Vol. XL No 33
Atlantic, Iowa, Thursday, January 21, 1904
Page 1, Column 3

THE LAST SUMMONS
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W. P. Egbert Passed Away Tuesday at His Home--Family Present.
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ONLY SICK FOR A SHORT TIME
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Had Been in Business in Atlantic Many Years--A Splendid Man Gone--The Funeral Will be Held at 2:30 p.m. Friday
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With the dying of the day W. P. Egbert passed away into the silent beyond at his home Tuesday. He was sick only for a short time. On Thursday he was in the gallery and on Saturday was retouching pictures at his home. It was while thus engaged that the warning of the impending change came. At that time he suddenly lost his sight and from then until the end came was unable to see with any distinctness. He suffered some pain but was conscious until a few hours before his death. From the start the physicians felt that there was but little hope for him. On Tuesday morning, Miss Carrie, who lives in Des Moines was informed by wire of her father's condition and with but ten minutes to make the train, hastily left to reach her parent's bedside only a half hour before he relapsed into the unconsciousness that terminated in death.

Mr. Egbert was born in Pennsylvania in 1831. There he received his education and remained until he grew to manhood. His earlier years were spent at the painter's trade and while engaged in this occupation he became afflicted with a form of lead poisoning that caused him to suffer to a greater or less extent during the remainder of his life. When he found that he had to give up the painter's trade he learned the art of photography. To this art he devoted his energies. So well did he serve it that he has for many years held the front rank.

About 1850 he moved to Davenport Iowa where he opened a gallery and was there until the centenial year, when fire destroyed his place of business and the next season he moved to Atlantic. While here, in 1880, fire again destroyed his gallery which was in a frame building that stood on the ground of the building now occupied by Whipple & Shrock.

The present brick structure was immediately built and the old Egbert Gallery that has been a part of the town that for nearly a quarter of a century came into existance. Just long enough for Mr. Egbert go begin to realize what the new gallery was to be did he live to enjoy it, and it appeared to have given him new life as he went in and out of it. But the new strength was only a seeming one for the frail body was fast weakening and suddenly it gave way.

As a man, Mr. Egbert was one indeed. He was of a retiring disposition, never intruding on anyone. He bore acquaintance well. An intimate knowledge showed his to be pure gold suffering almost almost constantly yet he had the kind word and pleasant smile. None appreciated the genuineness of the man better than those who were his employees. To them he was not an exacting task master but rather a kind friend who wanted to help them as well as to be served by them. In his dealings he was scrupulously honest. Not only did this hold true in money matters, but also in the work of his gallery. He insisted that nothing but the best was good enough to place before the public and well has such a character born fruit, for far and wide the term "Egbert" has been a synonym for the best. He was a hard working man. Many afflicted as he was, would have deemed it sufficient that they do but little. Not so with Mr. Egbert. He was constantly at his post. When too ill to come to the gallery he would have work sent to him and there he would toil and toil, never willing to desist.

Mr. Egbert was married twice. His first wife died while he still lived in Davenport. Later he married the wife who still survives him. To them were born the children who were present at his death; Mrs. Lon Highley, Hal H. and Mazie, who live in Atlantic and Miss Carrie, who is in business in Des Moines.

Because of his health Mr. Egbert never took an active part in public affairs. About ten years ago he united with the Methodist church. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and also a charter member of the Uniform Rank of Atlantic. His friends are many and many there are who today feel the shadow of sadness over them as they remember that he is no more.

The funeral services will take place in the Methodist church at 2:30 p. m. tomorrow (Friday). The interment will be in the Atlantic cemetery.

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The Atlantic Daily Telegraph
Atlantic, Iowa, Wednesday, January 20, 1904
Page 3, Column 4

W. P. EGBERT DEAD,

W. P. Egbert died at his home in this city at ten minutes after eight o'clock, last evening, Tuesday, Jan. 19. Funeral services will be held at the Methodist church at two-thirty o'clock Friday afternoon, January 22, and the remains will be buried in the Atlantic cemetery.

Mr. Egbert was born in Holidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on August 14, 1831. He came from that state to Davenport, Iowa, about 1850 and in 1852 opened a photograph gallery in that city where he flourished until 1876 when his entire property was consumed by fire. He determined not to re-establish his enterprise in Davenport, but came to Atlantic and in 1877 began his career as a business man here, a career which continued honorable and successful up to the moment of his death. Mr. Egberts first wife died soon after the war of the rebellion, and he was married to the present Mrs. Egbert in 1872. Five children are living and four are dead. Those living are Misses Lillie, Carrie, Mrs. Lon Highley, Hal Egbert and Miss Mazie. Mr. Egbert was a member of the Methodist church, and a charter member of the Knights of the Pythias lodge of this city and of the original Uniform Rank of this place. Besides his immediate family he leaves one sister whose home is in Washington.

Mr. Egbert was a man of high honor, his friends continued his always. He led a life which honored his Maker and the memory of which will be a gracious heritage to his children.

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The Atlantic Daily Democrat
Atlantic, Iowa, Wednesday, January 20, 1904
Page 3, Column 4

ANSWERS LAST CALL
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W. P. Egbert, Well Known Business Man, is Dead.
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DIED AT HIS HOME TUESDAY EVENING
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Was One of the Oldest Living Photographers
--Made Photos When the Business
Was in Its Infancy.

Wm. P. Egbert, the senior member of the Egbert photographic firm, died at his home on Linn street at ten minutes past eight Tuesday evening of apoplexy. He was down at the gallery the Thursday preceding, and took his meals with the family Sunday. He was confined to his bed but two days, and retained his mental faculties up until within a few hours of his death, when he lapsed into unconcsiousness [sic] The end came peacefully and without a struggle.

Mr. Egbert was born Aug. 14, 1831, in Hollidaysburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania. He grew to manhood in his native state and came to Iowa in the early fifties.

In his youth he followed the trade of sign painting but gave it up on account of ill health. He learned the rudiments of photography in the 40's in Pennsylvania and became proprietor of a gallery and a regular professional photographer in 1852. He continued in the business in that city until 1876 when his gallery was destroyed by fire. The next year, 1877, he located in Atlantic where he has been in business ever since. Wherever he has been located he has always stood in the front rank in his profession.

Mr. Egbert has been sick a great deal, in fact he has never been in good health since he was a youth. But he worked bravely on in spite of his disabilities.

He was a model of industry and accomplished successful results when nine men in ten would have given up.

He has been twice married. His first wife died shortly after the civil war, and some years later he married his present wife, who survives him. His children, who live in Atlantic are Mrs. Lon Highley, Hal H. Egbert, the photographer, and Miss Mazie Egbert. Another daughter, Carrie S., lives in Des Moines.

Mr. Egbert united with the Methodist Episcopal church some ten years ago. He was a member of the order of Knights of Pythias in Davenport and joined the local lodge when he came here. He was also a charter member of the Uniform Rank of this place.

He was a man whose friends were limited only by the circle of his acquaintance, honorable and upright, and bore a good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches.

The bereaved wife and children have the heartfelt sympathy of the community in their hour of sorrow.

The funeral services will be held at the M. E. church on Friday afternoon at 2:30.