Capt. E. Conant

CONANT, WEBB, CORRELL, TIERNEY

Posted By: NettieMae
Date: 12/30/2016 at 19:19:55

The Weekly News Saturday, January 2, 1886

DEATH OF CAPT. E. CONANT

He Breathes His Last Shortly Past Twelve Tuesday Morning. Another Old Settler Gone to his Eternal Home.

The news of Capt. E. Conant's death, although not unexpected, will pain many of the people of Clinton for he was one of the oldest citizens in time of residence and one of the best known and highly respected men in the community. Mr. Conant was born the 26th day of Frebruary, 1825, in Susquehana county, Penn. When an infant his parents moved to Lockport, N.Y. where he was raised to manhood. On the 22nd day of April 1845, he was united in marriage to Harriett E. Webb and in the fall of 1847 the young people moved to what was then the far west and took up a residence at Horicon, Wis., where as young ambitious pioneers they remained four years. While at the latter place their only surviving child, Edna L. was born.

In the year 1851 the deceased started on foot for Chicago and walked as far as Janesville, Wis., where he took the stage coach for his destination. He secured a position upon his arrival as a baggageman on the old Galena and Chicago Union R. R. between Chicago and Freeport. For three months he so acceptably filled his position tha he was promoted and placed in charge of a construction train as conductor. He continued in this capacity until he was still further promoted to a passenger conductor on the Dixon Air Lin R. R. and had the honor of running the first passenger train that reached the Mississippi river at Fultin, Ill., on Dec 5th, 1855. He ran between Chicago and Fulton for two years and in 1857 was made Captain of the old steamboat Commodore that plyed between Clinton and Fulton and made the connecting link between the Galena and Chicago Union and the C., I & N. on this side of the river. He was master of the boat for four years and it was here that he got the title of Captain which remained with him through life.

After retiring from this he associated himself with Messrs. C. Lamb and R. Hufman and bought the old grist mill on the foot of Seventh avenue and First street and engaged in the milling business. Soon after Messrs. Hufman and Conant bought the interest of Mr. Lamb and the above firm successfully operated the mill for six years when they purchased the stone mill located on the ground now occupied by the stone sawmill of C. Lamb & Sons, better known as the old clock mill, rebuilt it and subsequently sold it Mr. C. Lamb after which the firm of Hufman & Conant dissolved. During the summer of 1867 Mr. Conant built the Farmer's Mill, on First street, at a cost of $20,000 and upon its completion Messrs. Buck & Bishop were taken in by him as partners and the mill was operated by the firm of E. Conant & Co. until the year 1878, when deceased retired, still retaining, however, his interest in the property, which is now left as a part of his estate. He served as City Alderman for five years, as Poor Director two years, and as Street Commissioner, this being the last public office he held, all of which positions he filled with honor to himself and satisfaction to the community.

He leaves his wife and one child, Edna L., now Mrs. G. E. Correll; an adopted son, Edward Conant, Jr., and a grand-daughter, Edna May Tierney, as immediate members of his family to mourn his loss, together with a large number of relatives and a multitude of friends. He blonged to the following organizations in this city: Western Star Lodge, I.O.O.F.; A. O. U. W.; V. A. S. Fraternity, and White Cap Society, all of which he held insurance certificates.

The deceased has been noted for years as one of the most industrious, hard-working men in the city. His continued unceasing labor was far beyond his physical strenght, and on Monday, Dec. 21, he was taken with a spasmodic stricture of the bladder while at work in the mill. Medical aid was immediately summoned and temporary relief afforded, but it was of short duration. Some years ago he was stricken down in a like manner and for days his life was despared of, but his wonderful tenacity, aided by the best medical skill in the city, carried him through successfully, and although he has since that time had similar trouble, it has never kept him from his duties until this final attack, which was beyond the power of human skill to circumvent, and after almost a week of the most intense suffering he passed away as above noted this morning, surrounded by his family, relatives and friends, and a loving wife who was prostrated by grief at her great loss. To him she has ever been a helpmate and sincere sharer in his trials and in his joys. Their way of living and in their mutual helping of and full confidence in each other they were happy and worthy of imitation. Memory of the deceased will ever be revered as an honest, kind-hearted man, always willing to extend a helping hand to the destitute of afflicted, and all times ready to assist in the upbuilding of his adopted city.

The funeral services were held at the Congregational church on Wednesday at 2 p.m., under the auspices of Western Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., assisted by the Lincoln Lodge, I. O. O. F., with the other societies above mentioned as escorts and the remains were interred at Springdale.

The sympathy of the entire community will go out to the bereaved family and relatives for one whose greatest aim in life was to make them and his fellow beings happy. Peace be to his ashes.