Coan, W. F. 1820-1886

COAN, PECK, HAYES, SMITH, EWING

Posted By: NettieMae
Date: 1/5/2017 at 15:47:57

From the Clinton Weekly News Jan 16 1886

DEATH OF W. F. COAN
Stricken Down by Appoplexy at His Residence at 5:30 Last Evening.
An Old Settler and Honored Citizen Suddenly Called to His Eternal Home.

The announcement of the sudden and unexpected demise of Mr. W.F. Coan, who passed to his eternal home from his residence in this city at half-past five o'clock last evening, caused a thrill of sorrow and sadness throughout the entire community. The sad tidings went from mouth to mouth, and ere the body of the time-honored citizen was cold in death the news of his sudden taking away had been wafted to the most remote parts of the city. The sorrowful tidings brought forth expressions of regret friends and neighbors wherever the sad information was imparted. Eulogies, though crude in expression, emenated from greived hearts, that were far more eloquent than pen can convey reciting the many good qualities of him now sleeping his last sleep, who for so many years has been identified with every interest beneficial to Clinton or her citizens.

The deceased soon after dinner yesterday drove out to the residence of Cam. Smith, in the country to call on that gentleman, who is sick and confined to his home. His stay was somewhat protracted, he not returning until 5 p.m., when he drove to his residence on Seventh avenue and immediately, as was his custom, repaired to his room and laid down on the bed. His daughter, Mrs. W. I. Hayes, who was at the home of her parents, soon after her father's return sent the little daughter of Mr. A. G. Ewing up-stairs to see how grandpa was. She soon returned and said that he was lying upon the bed sleeping. Mrs. Hayes then repaired to the room and placed her hand on the head of her parent who was cold in death. Physicians say that his death was instantaneous and was caused by appoplexy.

For a long time deceased has been quite feeble, so much so as to cause alarm among friends and business men who were daily visitors at the bank. None, however, anticipated so sudden a dissalution, and were shocked to hear that he had filled his earthly destiny, and bravely fought the stern, hard battle of life, and had never surrendered to any obstacle in the way of his duty and care for his family, except to the relentless but merciful hand of death.

The deceased was born in the year 1820, in Seneca county, New York, a son of Dr. C. C. and Sarah M. Coan. He grew up to manhood there, and came to Iowa and located at Clinton in August, 1856. He engaged at once in real estate and banking. In 1863 he purchased the banking business of Budd & Baldwin, located on Front street, between Sixth and Seventh avenues, and he removed it to the corner of Fifth avenue now occupied by S. Shoecraft, and on May 1, 1865, it merged into the Clinton National Bank, which was organized by some of the strongest capitalists in the city, with $60,000 capital, and Mr. Coan as its President, a postition which he has continuously held sine the organization of the bank. As a financier, the judgment of the deceased was recognized as superior to that of any citizen in the community, and his efforts to aid in the development of the city were untiring and of that practical character and that invariably brought good results. From his advent into Clinton in 1856 until his demise he was actively identified with her every interest, and his counsel and advice upon every proposed project to aid in the upbuilding of his home town was eagerly sought and heeded by his enterprising fellow-citizens.

During the dark days of the rebellion his voice and purse was always for the perpetuation of the Union, and his influence in the organization of volunteers was second to that of no man in the city, while his deeds of charity to many of those who were left behind will remain among the most pleasant recollections of the noble acts of his life.

In the organization of the Young Men's Library Association he was one of the most active, and was the first treasurer. In March, 1860, he was Chairman of the School Board, and found the treasury empty, and it was here that he put his financial ability into practical use to aid in continuing the public school. By an ingenious scrip issue, based upon the anticipated tax, $4,000 was raised, which built the present school house on the east side of DeWitt Park - the first one built in the city.

Mr. Coan married Miss Catherine L. Peck of Trumansburg, Tompkins county, N. Y., in 1842, who survives him, together with five children - Francis L., (no Mrs. W. I. Hayes); Claudine H. (now Mrs. A. H. Smith); Stella, (now Mrs. A. G. Ewing); Claudius C and William F., Jr. The hearts of his friends in this city beat in sympathy with the bereaved widow and family and join them with a loving memory of the virtues of a good husband and the generous father, whose kind acts and pleasant words will be dwelt upon in the fondest and most sacred of recollections. His taking away illustrated the uncertainties of life and the certainty of death. It was only yesterday the deceased was, no doubt, as confidently making his plans for future usefulness as we are doing to-day, but all those anticipations were never to be realized. The poet has expressed this sentiment in glowing words:

'Tis the wink of the eye; 'tis the draught of the breath,
From the blossom of health to the paleness of death;
From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud;
Oh! why should the spirit of mortal be proud?

The funeral ceremonies will take place on Monday next at 3:30 p.m.