FORTUNE, JESSE P

FORTUNE, MARTIN, FRYBURGER

Posted By: vdh (email)
Date: 5/4/2013 at 17:52:21

Thursday, February 17, 1910 Davis County Republican

GOOD MAN ANSWERS CALL
PIONEER CITIZEN, JESSE P. FORTUNE PASSES TO THE LONG REST

Jesse P. Fortune died Monday morning at his home in Bloomfield after an illness of several weeks duration. The end was not unexpected. He was 80 years of age but until recently had enjoyed splendid health and was a man of unusual activity. He was an ideal citizen, one amount the oldest of Davis County's choice pioneer settlers. He came to this country when a young man and the long years of his service here speak eloquently of a life so well spent, that it was devoid of all malice and filled with charity. There was a about Mr. Fortune the air of a gentleman, you felt drawn towards him realizing that his conscience governed his conduct, and his gentle, kindly manners enveloped one with a feeling of respect and reverence. He lived in three generations, and his death removes one of those delightful characters that unite the present with the past.

Jesse P. Fortune, son of William and Sarah Fortune was born in Decatur County, Indiana, September 11. Indiana continued to be his home state until the year 1851.

On February 25, 1851 he was married to Mrs. Lucy Martin and on the 27th of March of the same year, he and Mrs. Fortune removed to Davis County, Iowa and settled on a farm five miles southeast of Bloomfield. Four children came to bless their home; Frank, now of Oskaloosa, Charles and Harry, of Bloomfield; and Mrs. Belle Fryburger of El Reno , Oklahoma.

On March 29th, 1880, Mr. Fortune and family moved to town where he ever since resided. He departed this life at his late home Monday, morning at 5:30 o'clock, February 14, 1910, age 80 years, five months and three days.

For a number of years he has been a member of the Universalist Church. He was a patriotic, hospitable, highly esteemed and honored citizen of Bloomfield. He will be sorely missed by his faithful wife and companion; by his children; by his relatives and by the great host of friends and acquaintances.

A short funeral service was conducted at the I.O.O.F. cemetery by Rev. F.D. Ferrall, Tuesday afternoon at 2:30.

Tribute of a long time friend: J. P. Toombs.

"Friends, before leaving this hallowed spot, the last resting place of our dear friend, I desire to pay personal tribute to his memory and to extol in some degree his many virtues. Uncle Jesse Fortune as he has been familiarly called for many years, was known and esteemed by as large a circle of friends perhaps as any man who has ever lived in Davis County.

Coming here in an early day he grew up with the country, enduring the hard work and hardships incident to pioneer life, making friends and having the respect of all who came in contact with him. His genial, jovial, cheery disposition impressed all with the sincerity of his friendship and his sterling honesty in all of his dealings with mankind has been an inspiration and a pattern for others to imitate. How happy must have been his reflections in the closing days of his life to know that he had lived in such a way as to merit the universal esteem of all of his neighbors and friends, and knowing that he was leaving to his family the priceless heritage of a good name. It has been said that an honest man is the noblest work of God, and if this be true surely he was one of God's very own. While a man of no loud pretentions or professions his daily walk in life and the attestations of his friends and acquaintances, as to his true worth count for more than any words of self laudation. How fortunate we have been in having known him, and in living his life set before us an example.

"Truly the world is better by Uncle Jesse Fortune having lived in it."