ALEXANDER, Edward H. "Ed"

ALEXANDER, MCGUIRE, FLINN, CALDWELL, GATES, PROCTOR, GWINN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/27/2014 at 04:20:06

Humeston New Era
Humeston, Wayne County, Iowa
December 30, 1916

ED H. ALEXANDER DIES
__________

Passed Away Friday at McGuire Home in Humeston
Burial at Leon Sunday.

Ed. H. Alexander, aged fifty-seven and prominent citizen of Leon, died at 5:00 o'clock Friday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Alexander's sister, Dr. Eva M. McGuire, in Humeston. Anemia was the cause.

Mr. Alexander had been in poor health for five years. During the past two years he had gradually failed. He spent two winters in Biloxi, Miss., and some time at Duluth, Minn., and other points in the hope of regaining his health. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander had spent the summer in Duluth and came to the home of Dr. and Mrs. C.M. McGuire in this city on September 18. He had been confined to the house since then. On Tuesday he bad a relapse and his condition was critical until the end came Friday evening.

Edward H. Alexander was the youngest son of Capt. E. H. and Sarah E. Flinn Alexander and was born on the old Alexander farm near High Point in Decatur county, Iowa, February 11, 1860. He was married to Barbara L. Caldwell at her home in Clay township, Wayne county, on October 25, 1882. Capt. Alexander was a soldier in the Mexican war and an office in the civil war. The Alexander and Caldwell families were pioneer residents of southern Iowa and both farms still belong to the estates.

Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander resided on the farm until 1886 when they moved to Hastings, Nebr. In 1900 they moved to Denver and made their home in that city for nine years. In the fall of 1899 they returned to Iowa and settled in Leon where they had since made their home.

Mr. Alexander united with the church at High Point about 1882, and ever remained a true and faithful member and was active in church and Sunday school work. For many years he had been a faithful member of the Methodist church of Leon. His hand was ready in every cause of the church; also his purse.

He had been a strong Mason since a young man. He was a member of Clay Blue lodge No. 193, A. F. and A. M., of Lewisburg., Knights Templar, Royal Arch, O.E.S. Chapter No. 352, and Homesteaders of Leon, and Shrine's of Davenport. His father, Capt Alexander, who died at the age of eighty-one, was a charter member and first worshipful master of Clay lodge, and for this reason he had retained his membership in Clay Lodge.

He was a member of the Board of Education and in that capacity he had rendered important services to the school district for six years.

Mr. Alexander is survived by his wife and five brothers and sisters: Col. C. L. of Hastings, Nebr., W. A., Eugene O. and Mrs. S. A. Gates of Leon, and Mrs. Emma Proctor of Huntington Beach, Cal. Three brothers and sisters are dead. A niece, Miss Olive Gwinn, of Three Hills, Alberta, Canada, had made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Alexander for ten years. She was a teacher in the Leon schools and resigned last year to attend the state university at Iowa City. Mr. Alexander leaves a large relationship and scores of friends to honor his name and memory. The people of Humeston and Leon will tender sympathy to the bereaved.

After leaving the farm, Mr. Alexander had been active in business and was generally engaged in the piano business with his brother, W. A. of Leon. As a piano salesman he made a wide acquaintance over ** loved by his fellow men, and was esteemed as a man of character. His passing removed from the community a man in whom reposed the sincerest respect and admiration of all, and cut short a life which was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. He was a man of high ideals, quiet tastes and particularly fond of his home life. He was not the man to complain even though he suffered and during his illness he was cheerful and had a kind greeting for his friends.

Life returned to Ed. H. Alexander much for the good he put into it, and he left to those who loved him the magnificent legacy of the inspiration of a life of integrity, industry, faith, charity, and fidelity.

The Rev. M.B. Wilson conducted a short prayer service at the McGuire home Sunday morning and the body, accompanied by the family and friends, was taken to Leon on the noon train. Services were held at the Methodist church at 12:30, conducted by the Rev. Rauol R. Mosher. Many friends paid last homage to the good man. The Masonic order conducted services at the Leon cemetery where interment was made.

The funeral was one of the largest ever held in Leon. The floral tributes were most beautiful. The pallbearers were Ed Monroe, C.W. Hoffman, Stephen Varga, Francis Varga, Thomas Murphy, J. Colby.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2014

Decatur Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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