Charles Jarvis, 1821-1908

JARVIS

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/9/2009 at 10:31:21

THE VINDICATOR AND REPUBLICAN

May 31, 1908

PIONEER PASSES AWAY.

Charles Jarvis dies at the home
Of his daughter in Spirit Lake

May 6th

WAS 87 YEARS OF AGE.

One of the Earliest Settlers of Emmet County

Charles Jarvis died at the home of his daughter in Spirit Lake last Wednesday morning, May 6th at the ripe old age of 87 years.

The body was brought to Estherville Saturday evening and the funeral held from the Methodist church at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Cole. The remains were buried in Oak Hill cemetery beside his wife long since called to her reward. The pallbearers were: Howard Graves, A. D. Root, W. H. Davis, Henry Coon, A.O. Peterson, and W. S. Jones. All of the children were present at the funeral.

From the Beacon of Spirit Lake we take the following:

"The above lines note the closing of the final chapter in a life rich in Christian virtues and helpfulness, and peculiarly rare for perpetual cheerfulness and becoming modesty. Blessed with a strong mind and a disposition which won the admiration of all with whom he associated. Charles Jarvis improved his intellect and applied his talents to the betterment of mankind and freely spread good cheer all along life's pathway. It can be truly said he did not have an enemy in this community, but was generally loved as are few men. A frequent caller at this office, Father Jarvis cheerful disposition was an inspiration to the writer, ever proving a ray of sunshine when business perplexities were depressing. Here his presence and kindly counsel will be keenly missed. No man ever crossed the BEACON's threshold who was more warmly welcomed by the entire force than Father Jarvis. The deceased was born at North Salem, New York, March 4th, 1821. At the early age of 12 years he went to New York City and first engaged in collecting fares on an omnibus, later being employed in the office of the company. Fifteen years later he came to Iowa and engaged in the mercantile business in Winneshiek county. In 1857 he located on a homestead in Emmet township, Emmet county, where the family resided until seven years since, when a home was established in Spirit Lake. Father Jarvis was the third white man to locate in Emmet township. He was the only man on the Des Moines river for many miles who felt safe in staying on his farm following the early Indian troubles. He was sent from Estherville as a night messenger to Spirit lake settlers to notify them of their danger. Through years of toil filled with hardship he acquired title to 240 acres of land beside the homestead, and took pride in improving same. Since coming to Spirit Lake Father Jarvis had been very active for a man of his years until afflicted with the grip the past winter. He seldom missed coming up town every morning and spent much time in his boat fishing when the weather was favorable.

Charles Jarvis was married January 29th, 1845, to Bessie A. Hoyt, a native of Connecticut. Three children were born of this union---Charles Willis, Francis Melville, and Jennie. Charles, now of Davenport, Washington, was for some time editor of the Estherville Vindicator. Mel., now in northern Wisconsin, made his home with his father until about a year since. Jennie, a devoted daughter, made a home for her father and has been a great comfort to him in his declining years.

Contributed by: Francine Smith. Source: The Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Iowa, May 31, 1908.