VAN WERDEN, H.C.

VAN WERDEN, RUSH

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 1/11/2002 at 20:58:06

Leon Reporter
August 8, l895

DR. H.C. VAN WERDEN was born in Lee County,
Iowa, Sept. 29, l854, and
died at his home in this city Monday evening,
Aug. 5, l895, aged 40
years, l0 months and 6 days.

Monday morning the news was flashed to
friends in this city and out of
town that DR. VAN WERDEN was in a critical
condition and could not live
many hours. The news came like a thunder
bolt, for it had only been a
week since he was taken sick, and few knew
that he was dangerous. He
had been a sufferer from a complication of
diseases for several years,
but was thought to be getting better and was
arranging to go to the
lakes to spend the summer with his family
when he was taken down. The
end came peacefully and quietly Monday
evening, and at twenty minutes
past seven he passed away surrounded by his
family.

Few men were better known and had more
friends in Decatur County than
DR. VAN WERDEN. He studied medicine under
Dr. J.C. Hughes at Keokuk and
graduated from the Keokuk Medical College in
l878. He located in High
Point, where he practiced for two years, and
then resided at Garden
Grove for a short time. In l879 he came to
Leon, where he had since
resided, and built up a large practice. No
one knew him but to like
him. Whole-souled and generous, a person in
need never appealed to him
in vain. As a citizen he was always ready
and anxious to do anything he
could for the benefit of the town and its
people.

He was married to JENNIE L. RUSH in this city
December 6, l880, and she
with one daughter, MARIE, is left to mourn
his loss, which can never be
replaced. He was a most kind and
affectionate husband and father and
was completely wrapped up in his home and
family.

The deceased was a prominent member of the
Masonic, Knights of Pythias
and Odd Fellows Lodges. The funeral services
were held at the residence
yesterday at l o'clock, conducted by Rev.
Hughes and the remains taken
to Chariton on the afternoon train for
interment in the vault there, DR.
VAN WERDEN having exacted a promise before
his death that he should be
interred there.

The bereaved family and relatives have the
deepest sympathy of every
citizen of Leon in their dark hour of
affliction.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
January ll, 2002