Drips, Thomas G. 1820-1868
DRIPS, BULL
Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 8/4/2014 at 17:23:15
Death of an Old Citizen
Capt. Thos. G. Drips, one of the old settlers of Clayton County, and once Sheriff and holding other offices at different times in this County, died at Clayton on Sunday morning past. He was carrying two pails of water for his mules and after carrying them for a short distance set them down to rest himself, when all at once he dropped down dead. Heart disease is suppose to be the cause of his sudden death. Capt. Drips', death will be mourned by a large circle of friends. Wen we get further particulars we shall have more [illegible] of Mr. Drips.
~Clayton County Journal, December 30, 1868
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The Late Capt. Drips
The last No. of the 'North Iowa Times' gives the following additional account of the death of Capt. Thos. G. Drips, of Clayton, in this county:
"He ate breakfast as usual with his family and went to the river for water for his team. Being gone longer than usual, he was looked for, and found dead, reclining against a board pile near the river. He had filled the bucket and sat down to recover from the dizziness which overcomes persons afflicted with epileptic affections or heart disease, but, alas he was unable to rise. His life was insured for $2,000.
~Clayton County Journal, January 6, 1869
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Whether DEATH removes the best of us or whether we remember more vividly the excellencies of the departed ones when the "last sleep" puts them beyond the reach of criticism may be a subject to think of, but in either case it is creditable to poor, frail humanity that we forget all the errors of the lost and think only of the virtue. We trust most sincerely that our acquaintances will be thus generous to us when we shall have drank the Lethean water supposed by the ancient poets to indicate oblivion. However good any or all of us may act we need the matter of charity to some extent.
Thought of this sort come round us while thinking of the death of our valued friend Captain Thomas G. Drips, whose demise was recorded in the TIMES of Dec. 30th, but an old acquaintance has forwarded us a history of his life and we give it in condensed form below:
T.G. Drips was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa.., Oct. 20th, 1820. In the Mexican war he was a volunteer for two years, serving as orderly sergeant, with distinguished bravery and honor.
In the autumn of 1849 he came to Garnavillo, Clayton Co. Iowa. On the 9th of May, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Bull, now Alas! mourning for the companion of her youth and the father of her children.
The deceased was Deputy Sheriff one year and a half and high Sheriff of this Co. four years. In 1856 he retired to his farm in Farmersburg.
When the rebellion broke out his soldierly education and warm love of country, induced him to volunteer. He was elected a Captain in the 27th Iowa Infantry, and served with credit as a brave soldier and an accomplished disciplinarian for two years. Failing health caused him to resign - he has since resided in Clayton City.
"On Sunday morning, (Dec. 27th - we copy from our issue of Dec. 30th) T.G. Drips of Clayton , died of heart disease.
"He ate breakfast as usual with his family and went to the river for water for his team. Being gone longer than usual, he was looked for, and found dead, reclining against a board pile near the river. He had filled the bucket and sat down to recover from the dizziness which overcomes persons afflicted with epileptic affections or heart disease, but, alas he was unable to arise."
The deceased was a man very estimable for social qualities and for the strictest principles of integrity. To use a plain but expressive line, "He was a man, all over." We knew him well, and like others, we esteemed him. He was not rich, but by a timely insurance of his life for $2000 - last summer, we believe, at the solicitation of his friend G. Douglass Esq. - he has left his family comfortable.
The father and mother of the deceased are yet living, having survived all their sons but one. Five daughters and one son remain to the aged people In all solemnity and sadness we can say, Such if Life!
~North Iowa Times, Wednesday, January 13, 1869; pg 2
---------------~Notes: Refer to the obit of his wife Ann (Bull) Drips for more family details. He & Ann are buried in Eastside cemetery, Elkader.
Ann (Bull) Drips Obituary
Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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