Esau Austin Erb

ERB, LEVALLEY

Posted By: Ann Bowler (email)
Date: 10/28/2011 at 12:05:36

“The Osceola Tribune”, Osceola, Iowa, January 1, 1935, page 4.
“E. A. Erb”

“Esau A. Erb was born in Richland county, Ohio April 15, 1945, and passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. E. Pearcy in Weldon, Iowa December 22, 1934, after a lingering illiness.
His mother passed away when he was only thirteen days old, and he was taken by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Esau Buckingham, with whom he made his home until he entered the war in 1862. His father passed away in Wabash county, Indiana, in 1893.

Mr. Erb moved to Iowa in 1850 and settled in Franklin township, Clarke county, where he spent the greater part of his long life.

In August , 1862, he enlisted in Co. B. 18th Iowa. Volunteer Infantry, serving under General Steele. In Febuary, 1863, he was discharged for disability. After regaining his health he again, in 1864, enlisted in Co. B. 46th regiment, serving until the close of the war.

April 4, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Martha LaValley Posten, and for a short time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Erb lived in Union township, Lucas county, then moved to Clarke county, where they remained until retiring from the farm to their home in Weldon.

On the 29th of December. 1931, Mrs. Erb passed to the other world. After the death of his companion Mr. Erb made his home with his daughter, Edna and family, until he also answered the summons of his God.

Mr. and Mrs. Erb reared a family of nine children, eight of whom are still living, Nellie, Elizabeth, Edna, Lois, Otis, William, Benton and Richard, and Josephine deceased. There are sixteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren living, also one sister.

Mr. Erb was a member of the Masonic order, of the G. A. R. and the Christian church.

There is only a curtain between us, the beyond and here. They whom they call dead have not left us. Nay, they were never so near. Not dead, but only promoted. They have entered the order above, and there neath the smiles of the Master they have finished their labor of love. The weary eyes are closed at last, the hands are folded on the breast. The labors of the day are passed, the Father gently whispers, ‘rest.’ and this is best.

Funeral services were held from the Christian church in Weldon, Monday morning, December 24, conducted by Rev. John Myers, pastor, followed by a Masonic service at the church, and a military service at the grave in the cemetery at Last Chance, where the deceased was laid to rest. At te church a quarteete, Mrs. Ben Barton, Miss Rose Garis, W. C. Lowe, and Ray Krutsinger, sang, ‘Beautiful Isle of somewhere’ and ‘The Land Where We Never Grow Old. Mrs. Barton also sang as a solo, ‘Death is Only a Dream.’

Pall bearers were all from the Masonic order and were O. P. Latimer, H. W. Kimberlin, G. F. Wolever, Joe Brechtel, John Solomon and H. B. Scott.”