Will J. Leytem 1869-1895

LEYTEM, BALDWIN

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 4/6/2020 at 10:41:04

Cascade Pioneer, Published in Cascade, Iowa on Friday, October 11th, 1895

WILL J. LEYTEM’S DEATH

The Eldest Son of Mayor N. J. Leytem
Answers the Grim Summons

DIED-Will J. Leytem, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Leytem, Saturday, October 5, 1895, of typhoid fever, aged 26 years, six months and two days
“Thou Knowest ‘tis common; all things must die,
While fully understanding the inevitable law of the economy of nature, and that the inexorable rules of death recognize no personage of whatsoever degree, yet it seems strange and remote to associate the thought of death with Will J. Leytem. Even now, knowing that his manly form lies housed in its narrow confines of early grave, it is difficult to fully realize the fact. So lately ago, we saw him in the full bloom of apparent rigged manhood, before the fever had seized him, and the buoyance of youth and strength shone in his eyes, and the hectic flush of health beamed upon his features; so lately ago, he joined with comrades in friendly raillery and jest, throwing a gay challenge to every somber thought; so lately ago, he walked in life with his usual lighthearted manner, and his sorrows, if any, were as the clouds in springtime, soon rolled away, for it was his nature not to seriously consider a trouble, as he appeared to think:” Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.” Then to associate these thoughts of will with the fact of death, himself the subject around whose memory lingers the keenest pang of sorrow in the category of earth’s tribulations, seems to make more unreal and strange to his beloved parents, relatives, comrades and friends, the fact that he has truly passed from the scene of life’s activity.

He was born in Cascade April 3, 1869; nd was the eldest don of Nicholas J. and Carole Baldwin Leytem. With the exception of brief intervals he lived constantly in this city. In 1887-8 he attended and subsequently graduated from Bayless Commercial College at Dubuque, and afterward pursued the occupation of painter. Later he followed the theatrical profession and was out several seasons with different companied, among them the Weber Comedy Company, Paige’s Players and Huff’s Up-to-Date Company.

He was on the road with the last named company this season, and came home about four weeks ago. He was not well, and on the day following his arrival was prostrated by the deadly fever that finally consumed his vitality. Through the three weeks of his sickness he was tenderly nursed, and the argument in favor of his recovery was his rugged constitution, but the insatiate malady was a rent less and insidious foe. Last Saturday afternoon the crisis in his case was reached, and all attempts to disperse that absorbing fever having proved futile, the stealthy and shadowy hand of death descended and cooled the fiery fury of his disease. At 6:30 o’clock p.m. the end came, and while knowing of his serious illness, the community was shocked by the announcement. The blow was a bitter one to his father and mother, who had watched with tenderest devotion by his bedside and labored to rescue him from the grasp of death. To his relatives, comrades and friends, the fact was received with deep and sincerest regret-to all it was a lamentable occurrence, that one in the prime and flower of his manhood should be taken away, before life’s mission was fairly commenced.

The funeral services, which were very largely attended, were held at the residence of his parents Monday morning at 11 o’clock, and were conducted by the Rev. James Hill assisted by the Revs. Williams, Beatty and Blake. The Rev. Hill preached the sermon from the text: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” The address was striking and eloquent, given in the speaker’s most impressive mood, and cited in its substance the vanity and evanescence of life.

The remains were laid to rest in the Protestant cemetery, and a beautiful testimonial of regard was the lining of the grave with cotton and evergreens by Messrs. Will Wise, Frank Baldwin and Walter Russell. The pall bearers were John T. Campbell, C. J. Devlin, Lou Willis, J. H. Devaney, Jerry Hayes and I. C. Newcomb.