W. H. Talbot 1835-1915

TALBOT, BISSELL, KIRKPATRICK, MCCARTY, CAMERON

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:29

17 May 1915 - The Clinton Advertiser page 7

W. H. Talbot passed away this morning at 3:30 o'clock at his home in North DeWitt, having suffered from heart disease for several months. Mr. Talbot has been associated with the business interests of DeWitt almost from its earliest of DeWitt come here in April, 1857; was at the time of his retirement from active business about five years ago, the oldest hardware man in the state, was president of the First National bank, treasurer of the DeWitt lodge, No. 34, A.F. and A.M. and a member of DeMolay consistory of Clinton.

He was 79 years, 5 months and 11 days old and was born in Ohio. He leaves a widow, one sister, Mrs. John Kirkpatrick, of Cambridge, Ohio, three nephews, one of whom is W. J. Cameron, of DeWitt, and one niece, Mrs. William McCarty of Cambridge, Ohio.

The funeral will be held at the late home Wednesday afternoon at 2:30, with services conducted by Rev. R. K. Chapman, of the Congregational church. Interment will be made at Elmwood cemetery.

20 May 1915 - The Clinton Advertiser page 7

The funeral of the late Wm. H. Talbot was held yesterday afternoon at the home in North DeWitt. Reverend R. K. Chapman conducted the services and the obituary was read by Mrs. Wm. Lee. Mrs. Wm. Saltmarsh and Mrs. F. W. Mitchell sang "Crossing the Bar" and "Abide With Me." The bearers of the pall were Chas. Arthur, Wm. Lee, Geo. Smith, Bruce Walker, A. M. Price and L. Higgins. The members of the Masonic order attended in a body. Among those from out of town who attended were Judge Wolfe, Thos. Hudson, Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Fay, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Fay of Clinton, Colonel and Mrs. Philo Hall of Cedar Rapids, Judge Howat of Salt Lake City, J. W. Reihman and Henry Moeller of Grand Mound, Wm. Siegmond, Bruce Walker, Chris Jensen and Al Schlotfeldt of Calamus, and Wm. Arthur of Ames.

"In the evening of life when the sunset is near, like the gold on the leaves, when the autumn was here, like the soul of the just in the glow of its sheen, when the angel of death hovers over the scene, is the closing of life in the fullness of years."

In the fullness of years after a life well rounded and true, our beloved friend, W. H. Talbot, has passed out of the shadow, and entered into rest. The closing of this life has touched a chord of sorrow and sympathy that vibrates in many hearts beyond the circle of friends and kindred more nearly bereaved and beyond the city of which he was for so many years a leading, most useful and most honored citizen. No man was better known or more thoroughly identified with the early growth and character of the place and no presence was more familiar or more welcome to its homes for he ever carried with him a genial personality that broke down all walls of formality and reserve, and established a mutual good fellowship. Hospitality, free and constant was one of his conspicuous graces, and even when the feet had grown weary with the years, and eyes had dimmed with long suffering, he extended to all callers cordial greeting and appreciation of their friendship. Throughout his long life, he has been connected with many enterprises for the advancement of DeWitt, ever manifesting a strong interest in its welfare and progress, and in his death the community mourns the loss of an honored citizen, a strong character in our midst, and one whose heart always beat in sympathy with his fellow man.

Wm. H. Talbot was born in Harrison county, Ohio, December 6, 1835, and passed away at his late home, DeWitt, Iowa, May 17, 1915, aged 79 years, five months and 11 days. His failing health from heart trouble covers the period of many months, the final attack coming upon him about six weeks ago. He came to DeWitt in 1857 and soon after engaged in the hardware business which he continued until five years ago, when he retired from active business because of failing health. On June 20, 1863, he was married to Helen Bissell, and to them were born two children, Susie and Wm. H. Jr., both dying in infancy. He was a member of the Masonic order and on March 17 last, he celebrated his fifty-year membership in No. 34 A.F. & A.M. He also belonged to the Knights Templar and to DeMolay Consistory of Clinton. He has been identified with the banking interests of DeWitt many years, and since 1897, has held the office of president of the First National bank, and was also president of the Farmers and Citizens' bank. The tender sympathy of hosts of friends goes out to the bereaved wife upon whom the blow falls so heavily. For more than fifty years she has enjoyed his devoted and indulgent companionship, but she has the rich inheritance of the memory of his tender love and thoughtfulness and the comfort of being able to minister to him in his last suffering. One sister, Mrs. John Kirkpatrick of Cambridge, Ohio, the last surviving member of his immediate family, is with us today to pay her last tribute of respect and love to the one who is gone. There are also four nephews, Roger Kirkpatrick of Cambridge, O.; John Kirkpatrick of Boise City, Idaho; Isaac Camerson of Cambridge, Ohio; Wm. J. Cameron of DeWitt, and one niece Mrs. Lou McCartney of Cambridge, Ohio, all of whom with two exceptions, are present on this occasion. As a life-long friend, in closing, this tribute, "I can but feel we are all mourners today and the sleeper, peaceful and beautiful in death, needs no eulogy. A quiet peace, a spirit rest whispers of heaven and listening, we can almost catch the 'welcome home' and the sweetness of the new song."