York, Homer J. 1853 - 1904

YORK

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:24

Elkader Register, Thur., 15 Dec. 1904. North McGregor column.

Homer J. York was born Oct. 22nd, 1853, and died Dec. 7th, 1904. Last Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 7th, as Homer J. and J. M. York were driving through their pasture on their return from town, the team became frightened by the mules which were running at large and ran away down a steep hill. The wagon struck a large rock beside the road where it was broken in pieces and the lines breaking the men were thrown out, J. M. sustaining slight injuries, while Homer was thrown a distance of twenty-five feet into a ditch dying instantly. His jaw, neck, back and left leg were broken, and there were three large gashes on the head. The funeral services were held at the residence, Rev. Hall conducting the services. Interment was in Oakland cemetery, McGregor. Miss Bell and J. M. York, of this place, and Capt. Wm. York, of Fulton, Ill., are all that is left of a once large family.

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Added by S. Ferrall 5/12/2025:

On Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 7th, occurred one of the saddest accidents that this neighborhood has ever realized and one which deprived the community of one of its best and most highly respected citizens, Homer J. York, who met his death by being thrown from his wagon while his team was running away.

He and his brother Joseph were returning to their farm north of town about 2:30 on the afternoon of that day, when, as they were opposite their own pasture land, a mule, glad to see the return of their team, came running through the pasture toward them. This started the team to running, the wagon striking a rock when Homer was thrown from the seat, his head striking another rock, killing him instantly, the broken lines tightly clutch in his dying hands.

Homer was born in Lawrence Co., N.Y., Oct. 22, 1853. The family moved here from Nebraska in March 1892. The same year the mother died and in 1898 the father and sister followed her.

There are still surviving, Joseph M. York and Miss Belle York, brother and sister of the deceased, and Wm. York of Fulton, Ills., who was captain of the Mississippi Steamer, Glenmont last year and of the Musser for several previous years; also a brother.

Mr. York was a man who held the highest esteem of all who knew him and his tragic death is mourned by a large circle of friends.

"Place flowers upon the graves of such as he
Who lived an upright life, who wronged on one,
Whose conscience was his guide o'er life's great sea,
Of whom men say, when life is done,
A friend to all, an enemy to none."

His funeral was held at the home on Friday Dec. 9th, the Rev. Hall officiating. Interment at Pleasant Grove cemetery.

We desire to express our sincere thanks to the friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted us during the death and burial of our brother, Homer J. York.
Wm., Joseph and Belle York

~McGregor News, Wednesday, December 14, 1904; pg 4