Torrey, Alvin 1809-1881

TORREY

Posted By: Ken Johnson (email)
Date: 3/19/2017 at 11:32:55

From the Thursday, 20 Jan. 1881 issue of “The Elkader Register,” page 3, column 4:

ANOTHER ONE OF THE OLD LANDMARKS GONE.

On Monday morning, Jan. 10th, the people of Clayton were startled by the intelligence of the death of Mr. Alvin Torrey. He arose in the morning as well as usual, and after eating is breakfast, made a call on a sick neighbor. Returning about 10 o’clock, he remarked that he felt a little unwell, took a book, put on his eye glasses and sat down by the stove. In a few minutes Mrs. T. went in the room and found him sitting in his chair—dead.

Another old citizen has been gathered into the garner of the grim reaper, Death, in the fullness of time, at the ripe old age of nearly seventy-two years. He has passed away from the doubts and uncertainties of time to the illuminated eternity, where the curtain that hides futurity from the dim eyes of humanity is rolled up, and the realities on the other side are revealed in a flood of glorious light.

Mr. Torrey was born in the state of Massachusetts, in March, 1809, and was therefore nearly 72 years of age. He came to Clayton county in 1849, and settled in Garnavillo. In 1875 he moved to Clayton, where he resided up to the time of his death. He was the proprietor of “Torrey’s Relief of Pain,” a patent medicine, which without any advertising except its own merits, has had an extensive sale, and is known in nearly all the state and territories.

The deceased has been three times married. His third wife survives him. He also leaves two sons and two daughters, all married, who with many warm friends will long cherish the good man’s memory; and as a citizen he will be much missed by all who knew him.

H. C. S.