Roswell K. Soper, 1843-1910

SOPER, WILLIAMS, LEIN

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/4/2009 at 13:55:52

R. K. Soper, a Well Known Pioneer
Passed Away Thursday at Jackson, Minn.

Roswell K. Soper, ex-county auditor of Emmet County, died at his home in Jackson, Minnesota, last Thursday [24 Feb 1910, at age 66 y, 10 mo, 5 d.] of pneumonia. Remains were brought to Estherville for burial. Funeral service was held from the home of his son, R. D. Soper, Sunday afternoon, Rev. Benjamin Franklin officiating. [Burial was at Oak Hill Cemetery, Estherville, IA. GAR sign at grave]

Mr. Soper lived in Estherville for about 18 years, leaving here about 10 years ago. He lived in St. James for a while and then moved to Jackson where he lived until death called him. While here he held the office of county auditor and state fish and game warden. He was born May 14 at Greenwich, New York, and moved to this state when he was but a boy. On February 10, 1867, at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, he was married to Cynthia J. Williams [died 15 Nov 1897 at age 53 y., 8 mo., 22 d, and to this union were born three children, Celinda O., Rufus D., and Harry J. The wife and mother passed away Nov. 9, 1897, and was buried at Estherville [in Oak Hill Cemetery.] Mr. Soper's second marriage was with Julia Lein, on February 1, 1899, and to this union two children were born, Rosell and Alta.

The deceased was well known in Estherville, Especially by the early day residents of Estherville. He was respected and honored by hosts of friends. All Estherville joins in sympathy with the sorrowing relatives.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: the Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, Iowa, March 2, 1910.

Roswell served with Company D, 12th Iowa Infantry during the Civil War where he fought at Fort Henry, Fort Donaldson, Shiloh, Jackson, Vicksburg, Meridian, New Orleans, and Mobile. His and his brother's (Erastus) Civil War exploits are published in three volumes of the Iowa Historical Society (1958).

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: from History of Emmet County, Iowa, Vol. III, 1976, page 399.