Edgar, Thomas 1844 - 1899

EDGAR, VANLANDIGHAM

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 9/7/2020 at 16:16:18

Source: Decorah Republican Jan. 26, 1899 P 3 C 3

—Henry A. Nielson, a young man 26 years old, and Thomas Edgar, aged 55 years, postmaster and mayor of North McGregor, both died on the 23d inst.

Transcriber’s Note: his gravestone shows that he died 2/23/1899, however, this is obviously an error as the above paper is dated in January.

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Added by S. Ferrall 9/7/2020:

Last weeks announcement of the death of Thomas Edgar was published. Mr. Edgar was thrown from his buggy by the breaking of an axle, and injured about the chest about a year ago. Since that time he had never felt as well as before. A few weeks before his death, he was taken with La grippe and was not able to work. While very sudden his death was not wholly unexpected, as he had several bad spells during the past year.

He died Jan. 23d of congestion of the lungs, at his residence on the east bench while in his chair.

Mr. Thomas Edgar was born in Fifeshire, Scotland Feb. 1st, 1844, thus making him 54 years 11 months and 22 days old. He was the son of John and Mary Edgar, who had a family of two sons and one daughter.

Thomas came to America with his parents when four years of age, and when thirteen years of age began learning the blacksmith trade in Ohio.

When the war of the rebellion broke out he enlisted in the 31st Ohio Co. E. and was promoted to Sergeant of the Co. where he remained in the service until the close of the war. He was shot through the hand at the battle of Chicamungua.

In 1869 he came to Davenport, Ia., and went to work for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific R.R. Co. and from there to this place, and for about twenty years was employed in the shops of the C.M. & St. P. R.R. Co.

He was married June 26th 1869 to Miss Malinda Vanlandigham, of Davenport, Ia. Since that time they have made there home here.

Mr Edgar has held several responsible offices in our town both as member of our school board and in the town council and was Mayor at the time of his death.

He leaves a wife and a large family of children to mourn his loss.

He was a member of Bezer Lodge No. 135 A.F. and A.M. of McGregor, under whose auspices the burial services were conducted. He was also a member of Hervey Dix Post G.A.R. No. 371.

The funeral was largely attended and the service was ably rendered by Rev. Marshall of McGregor. The remains were followed to Oakland cemetery by a host of friends in carriages, the Masonic order turning out in a body as an escort. The solemn and impressive Masonic burial ceremony at the grave was conducted and imparted by G.R. Turner in a very able manner.

In the death of Mr. Edgar, the wife has lost a true and loving husband, the children a kind and indulgent father and the community a loyal citizen. The sympathy of the whole community is extended to the bereaved family in this their hour of trouble.

Friend after friend departs;
Who hath not lost a friend?
There is no union here of hearts
That find not here an end;
Were this frail world our only rest,
Living or dying, none were blest.

The family wish to extend their thanks to the many friends who assisted them in their hour of affliction.

~McGregor News, February 2, 1899; pg 8