Calvin A. Prosser, 1820-1873

PROSSER

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 3/6/2009 at 06:52:09

PROSSER, C. A.
THE SAD NEWS!

A VICTIM OF THE LATE STORM!
DEATH OF C. A. PROSSER, ESQ.

The first fatal result of the late great storm which comes to us is the death, by freezing, of C. A. Prosser, Esq. of Ellsworth township. People had been fearing, and with solemn anxiety wondering from what source intelligence would come freighted with the sad tidings of suffering and death by the storm, and they little realized or anticipated that the first fearful reports should chronicle the sudden transition from active life of one who had, but a few hours since, been performing his part in the duties of life among with such a flow of spirit, such an enjoyment of ruddy health, and with such a promising future before him of usefulness to his fellow citizens and comfort and happiness to his family and large circle of friends.

Mr. Prosser started from his home, about five miles northeast of this place, on Tuesday, January 7th [1873], soon after the storm commenced in the afternoon. His familiarity with the weather of this country, his thorough knowledge of the road and his anxiety to be with his family impelled him to undertake the short, and even on severe occasions, easy trip. He had a strong team of horses attached to a short sled and started from town with the utmost confidence in his ability to reach his longed-for haven.

He failed to reach home, and Wednesday and Thursday passed by, his family supposing him to be in Estherville, while people here took it for granted that he had arrived at home, until word was brought from there that such was not the case. Immediately, on Friday morning, the awful fact became apparent that C. A. Prosser had become lost on the prairie, and had, in all human probability, perished in the snow and storm. A large number of citizens, with teams, at once organized a search.

It was found that he had followed the plain, well-beaten road to within one-half a mile of his own door yard, when, from what cause cannot now be known, he turned from the road at right angles with it, and traveled with the wind, south-easterly, to a point nine miles nearly east of this village, to which point his team was easily tracked and his body found sitting upright in the snow.

He had become benumbed with the cold, drowsiness overcame him, and probably without conscious suffering his spirit passed away.

In following his course it was found that he had passed several farmers' houses at a distance of less than one-half a mile; that he had crossed one well-beaten road; had passed within three rods of the fence of Mr. R. E. Bunt, and that he had walked a great part of the distance to the place where his body was discovered. His team, alive and well, stood harnessed to the sled in the grasses and rushes of a swamp about ten rods from his remains.

How long he wandered on the bleak prairie on that fearful night before he was relieved of his anguish of mind and physical sufferings no mortal will know until the blissful associations and reunions of the Land beyond the River shall reveal all things.

The death of Mr. Prosser falls like a pall over this community. He is lamented by all as few had fewer enemies or more friends. At the time of his death he was a member of the Board of Supervisors of this county, and held, as he ever had since his residence there, responsible offices in his own township. He was a conscientious, faithful and hard working public servant, and there are few who will better fill his place. As a citizen he was respected by all. As a moral, upright man he was an example to all men. As a neighbor and friend he was warm-hearted, generous and charitable. As a husband and father he was of the kindest, noblest and best.

His stricken family have the sympathy of a whole community which laments with them in their bereavement.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: The Northern Vindicator, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; January 10, 1873.