William Stuart 1846-1921

STUART, SPEER, SOESBE

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/1/2018 at 08:34:12

27 October 1921 - West Branch Times

William Henry Stuart was born near Nightstown, Indiana, April 16, 1846, and died at West Branch, Iowa, Oct. 21, 1921, in his seventy-sixth year.

At seven years of age he came to Iowa with his parents, making the trip overland. Two years later, and sixty-seven years ago today, his father died, leaving the widow and two small children to face the life of pioneers on the farm now occupied by his son Charles. Here he grew to manhood and in 1890 moved to the farm near West Branch where he lived until 1916, when he retired to the present family residence.

In 1878 he married Charlotte E. Speer, who survives him, and to their union were born four children, Clara Soesbe of Greene, Iowa, Roy, Charles and Harold of West Branch, Iowa, all of whom survive to mourn the loss of a kind and thoughtful father. He is also survived by one sister, Mary Stuart, of West Branch, who has been a member of his household many years of her life.

He was a birthright member of the Friends church and later became a member of the Methodist church where he was active in the affairs of the church throughout his life. He had an active life and continued to follow his vocation of farming even in his later years until a year ago, when he was stricken with the illness which caused his demise.

Brother Stuart has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist church and to that institution he has given much of his interest and help. According to his request the service was private and held in the home at half past eight last Sunday morning. Before his death he had planned every detail of the service and it was carried out as he wished. Rev. Glenn Rowley of the Methodist church read a scripture lesson and spoke briefly in appreciation of the one who has gone. Interment was in the Oasis cemetery.