JAMES G. GRANDSTAFF

GRANDSTAFF, FRAZIER

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 4/27/2002 at 16:46:20

Decatur County Journal
Thursday, December l8, l9l9

JAMES G. GRANDSTAFF was well known and highly respected throughout Decatur County. He died at the Leon Hospital on December l3th, l9l9. He will long be remembered as one of Decatur County's grand old men, having been elected to and discharged most honorably from some of the county's important offices. He served the town as Mayor for four years, and two years as Justice of the Peace. He was not a man to court favor, being of a mild nature and methodical in habit. He exercised thought and put good judgment into his business and thus his endeavors proved successful. All admit that he possessed a refined, noble soul, which was animated by the highest principles. His genial nature, ready smile, kind word, helping hand, won for him friends in all circles. To every good enterprise he lent his presence and support, and could always be relied upon to assist in building the home community. He was kind and gentle and the elements in him so grandly mixed, that nature could stand up before all the world and say, "This was a man."

JAMES G. GRANDSTAFF was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, near the town of Cumberland, May 28th, l843. At the age of ten he moved with his parents to Guthrie County, Iowa, and they located near Redfield. The family resided there until in l854 when they purchased land near Panora and lived there until l864. After residing there for one year they sold and purchased again near Guthrie Center, and the family remained there for seventeen years. MR. GRANDSTAFF enlisted on August l3th, l862, in Company I. 29th Infantry, and served three years. He spent most of his time in Arkansas west of the Mississippi River. He was engaged in the battle of Helena, stricken with measles, and wounded by accident in the right limb in l863. He was mustered out after the war ended on August l0th, l865. He returned to Davenport on September 24th, l865.

He was united in marriage to MISS MATTIE FRAZIER at Greenville, Illinois in l865. Then they went to Guthrie Center where they made their home until in l870. To bless their home one child was given, OTIS GRANDSTAFF, of Dallas, Texas. MRS. GRANDSTAFF passed on to the Heavenly home a few years ago. He moved from Guthrie Center in l870 and located near Pleasanton, Decatur County, Iowa, and resided there for thirteen years. Then he moved to Leon, Iowa, in l884, and has resided here continually since. While living in Guthrie Center he was elected County Superintendent of Schools in l867, and was re-elected to a second term, resigning his office to move to Decatur County. In l889, he was appointed County Recorder of Decatur County, to serve out an unexpired term. He was then elected and served in this office for five years. He was Justice of the Peace two years and acted as Mayor of Leon for four years.

MR. GRANDSTAFF was converted in l86l and joined membership in the M.E. Church in Guthrie Center, then transferring to the society of the Leon M.E. Church in l884 and has enjoyed fellowship in this church for thirty-five years. He and his beloved wife were valiant workers, and occupied official positions. MR. GRANDSTAFF will long be remembered for his faithful devotion to the choir, where he loved to exult in the song of Zion. Many remember the beauty of his service as a Sunday School Teacher. He was engaged in the implement business for three years, then in the undertaking business for thirteen years. During these years he formed many associations and won an innumerable host of friends, who proved their loyalty by constantly visiting him during the months of his sickness.

Weep not then for him, who having

won the bound of man's ap-

pointed years at last,

Life's blessings all enjoyed, life's

labor done; serenely to his final

rest has passed;

While the soft memory of his virtues

yet linger, like twilight hues

when the bright sun has set.

His youth was innocent, his riper

age, marked with some act of

goodness every day.

And watched by eyes that loved him,

calm, and sage faded his late

declining years away.

Cheerfully he gave his being up, and

went to share the holy rest that

awaits a life well spent.

And I am glad that he has lived thus

long, and glad that he has gone

to his reward,

Nor deem that kindly nature did him

wrong, softly to disengage the

vital cord;

When his weak hand grew palsied,

and his eye, dim with the mists

of age, it was his time to die.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CARD OF THANKS

I am genuinely grateful to all who in any way contributed to the comfort and happiness of my father during his long illness, and I sincerely thank you all for your kindly assistance, beautiful floral offerings and loving sympathy during the last sad rites.

F. OTIS GRANDSTAFF.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
April 24, 2002