Nathan Thomas Wilcox, 1838 - 1924

WILCOX, FAY

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/7/2011 at 11:52:48

Nathan T. Wilcox, former well known Spencer resident, died Wednesday, June 4, 1924, at the home of his niece Miss Carrie E. Fay, at Seattle, Washington. At the time of his death he was eighty-six years old. His death was due to old age although a few years ago he suffered a paralytic stroke.

Nathan Thomas Wilcox, the son of Harvey and Zina (Straight) Wilcox, was born in the town of Richmond, Ontario county, New York, January 26, 1838. He lived in New York until fifteen years of age, working on his father's farm and attending the district school, where he gained the knowledge that fitted him for the early duties of life. After moving to Wisconsin with his father he began working by the month as a farm hand and also cultivated land on shares with his father. In November, 1859 he returned to the state of New York, and on the twentieth of October 1861, the Civil War having started, he offered his services to his country, enrolling in Company D, One Hundred and Second New York Voluntary Infantry. He served for over three years and was mustered out December 24, 1864, at Savannah, Georgia, having participating in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, the Atlantic campaign and the march to the sea. He served for nearly two years in the artillery and never faltered in the performance of any duty.

After the war Mr. Wilcox returned to New York and in January 1866, he removed to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he resided until the spring of 1880, when he moved to Clay county, purchasing a farm of one hundred sixty acres in Gillett Grove township, where he resided until January, 1893 when he moved to Spencer.

On March 1, 1869, Mr. Wilcox was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Fay. There were no children born to this union, but a niece, Miss Carrie E. Fay, was taken into their home by Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox when she was but three and a half years old, who to all intents and purposes became their daughter and was a solace and a help to them during the remainder of their lives. Upon the death of his wife, May 20, 1911, Mr. Wilcox made his home with Miss Fay most of the time in Seattle, making occaasional visits to the east.

Mr. Wilcox belonged to Spencer No. 247, I.O.O.F in which he filled all the offices and was a past grand. He was likewise connected with Annett Post G.A.R. in which he served as commander at one time. Throughout his latter years he was surrounded by many of his old G.A.R. friends who helped to make his last days very happy ones and during these years he also had the tender and loving care of Miss Fay, who accompanied the body here for burial.

The body was shipped to Spencer arriving here Monday and taken to the Cobb Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at the Congregational church Tuesday, June 10, at two thirty o'clock with the Rev. A.M. Leiehleiter, officiating. Members of the G.A.R. Post and Odd Fellows lodge had charge of the services at the grave. Burial was made beside his wife in the family lot at Riverside.

Source: The News-Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; June 12, 1924.

Interment in Riverside cemetery
 

Clay Obituaries maintained by Kris Meyer.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen