Charles H. Mix 1831-1870

MIX, SEMPER, DECKER

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 10/24/2010 at 09:23:23

Dubuque Daily Herald
Dubuque, Iowa
9 Feb 1870
Page 4

The Late Charles H. Mix

Brief Sketch of His Life.

From time to time, one after another, the early settlers of Dubuque go to "that bourne from whence no traveler returns." Some die at home surrounded by a large circle of mourning relatives and sympathizing friends; others, who sought fortunes in different states and in other lands, have died far from the familiar scenes and loved associations of our city twenty-five to forty years ago. Half the links in the chain of early settlers have already disappeared. The circle of the surviving pioneers is narrowing year by year and before the end of the present century, only thirty years hence, the number will be so small that the funeral procession of an early settler will contain but a few who were men and women in Dubuque before 1840. Hence the memory of those who are dead should be honored and the surviving settlers and the citizens generally do themselves an honor by any evidence of their appreciation of the pioneers of Dubuque and of Iowa, and of those who immediately followed them, to build up our flourishing city and our prosperous state.

Charles H. Mix was not one of the earliest citizens of Dubuque, but became a well known and popular resident some years afterwards, and after the time -- nearly thirty years ago, when Dubuque changed from a small village to a small city with scarcely two thousand inhabitants.

He was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania in 1831, and was therefore in his fortieth year. He was a son of Col. George A. Mix, deceased, who had been in the service of the government in various capacities nearly all his life; was a western mail agent nearly thirty years ago, and made a home for his family in Dubuque after the year 1850. The family, until recently, resided here. Charles began an active business life in his early manhood, and in the course of fifteen years few men in Dubuque had more warm friends. In his social and business relations as well as in his occasional official relations to the public, he was always found worthy and honorable. For some years past he was engaged in mercantile transactions in the south, and acquired such a competency, it is said, as to leave his bereaved family in comfortable circumstances.

Mr. Mix determined last year to make a temporary residence at San Antonio, in the western part of Texas, his object being mainly for the benefit of his health. But his health still declined, and it soon became apparent that he could not long enjoy the association of his family and neighbors, and never again revisit his warm-hearted friends in Dubuque.

While on his way to Texas he began to realize the uncertainty of life and the necessity of preparing for that judgment which all the living must eventually abide. After much reflection he took counsel and listened to the admonitions of a priest of the Catholic church in New Orleans. Under conviction of duty he received the sacrament of baptism in that form of christian faith. Two or three days before his spirit took its light, he received holy unction at the hands of the parish priest in San Antonio. His last few days were peaceful and happy. He had no other regret in realizing the fact of his approaching dissolution except the regret to leave his affectionate family and his numerous friends. Many of our most respected citizens speak of the deceased and of the family in the highest terms of regard and commendation. They had long known the father and the son and all the members of their respective families. A sister of our late fellow citizen is the wife of David Decker, living in the vicinity.

Mr. Mix's mother died about twelve years ago. Mr. Mix's surviving family are the widow and the two daughters, the latter aged twelve and fourteen years. The bereaved widow, who will remain a resident of this city, is the daughter of Michael Semper, now in California. She and her young daughters, now half orphans, will receive the cordial sympathy and friendly counsel of a host of the husband and father's former friends.

The remains will be buried in the Catholic cemetery on Third street. The funeral will be in the Catholic form, and will be had at St. Raphael's church to-day at 2 o'clock.

Not having been a member of the Early Settlers' Association, the members of that society will only attend the funeral as individuals. A very large attendance of citizens generally will no doubt be present to show their true respect to the deceased, and thus indicate their sympathy with the afflicted family.