HENRY C. BRIGHT

BRIGHT, HARMON, SPENCE, HINDS, COZAD

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 5/9/2002 at 21:47:12

Decatur County Journal
Thursday, February l7, l92l

HENRY C. BRIGHT was born in Gallia County, Ohio, October l0, l842, and departed this life at Leon, Iowa, Feb. l0, l92l, aged seventy-eight years and four months. He was the oldest child of JACOB and MARIA BRIGHT, and with his parents emigrated to Iowa in the fall of l852. They spent three years in Ottumwa and then came to Decatur County in l855, where a permanent settlement was made. They were one of the pioneer families of Decatur County, Leon at that time consisting only of an Indian trading post and a few families.

He grew to manhood in Morgan Township, and was united in marriage to LORENA HARMON, Sept. l, l86l, she dying July 3, l890. To this union were born three children, WALLACE W., who died in infancy, October l2, l863; ETTA L. SPENCE, who died in Chicago, Oct. 29, l920, and IDA E., who survives him and who has always lived with him, and who faithfully cared for him in his last illness. He is also survived by two sisters, MRS. EMMALINE HINDS, of Glencoe, Oklahoma, and MRS. W.C. COZAD, of Lineville, Ia., and by one brother, ALONZO BRIGHT, of Leon. Two brothers, LEANDER and W.W. BRIGHT, preceded him in death.

When the call came for volunteers to preserve the union, he enlisted in Co. K, 39th Iowa Infantry, Aug. 22, l862. He was wounded at the battle of Altoona Pass, Georgia, Oct. 5, l864, and was left on the battlefield as dead, and was so reported to his folks at home. He was found, however, by a comrade, AARON LEWIS, now of Osceola, Iowa, and carried to a place of safety, and later taken to a hospital. He was mustered out of service February 26, l865.

He moved from Morgan Township to Leon in l878, and was in the mercantile business for several years, conducting a store on the southeast corner of the square. He inaugurated the free delivery system for Leon, putting on the first wagon for delivering of groceries. Trouble from his Army wound forced him to retire from business and active life. He served as City Marshal for fifteen years.

While residing in Morgan Township, he united with the Advent Christian Church. His religious convictions, while quiet, were deep-seated and sincere. He will be deeply missed and mourned by his loved ones, and by a very wide circle of friends. Quietly and peacefully he sleeps to wait the resurrection.

Six nephews, DR. EVERETT BRIGHT, of Brighton, Col., ERNEST BRIGHT, of Indianola, Ia., HERBERT COZAD, of Lineville, Iowa, L.R. ATEN, of High Point, HERMAN HARMON and FLOYD COZAD, of Leon, acted as pall bearers and carried him to his last resting place. The funeral held Saturday, February l2th, was conducted by Rev. T.F. Campbell, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church. Interment in the Leon Cemetery.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
List Administrator; Decatur County, Iowa GenWeb
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu
May 9, 2002