Amos Andrew Pingrey 1830-1919

PINGREY, RASMUSSEN, STONE, NEWTON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/3/2010 at 16:34:43

A Veteran of Frontier Days Died Last Friday
Amos Pingrey Lived to Ripe Old Age – Accomplished Much
He Was An Early Settler
Funeral Services Held on Monday Afternoon – Respected and Honored by All

Estherville and Emmet county lost another one of their beloved pioneers last Friday afternoon when the Death Messenger summoned A. A. Pingrey to his last rest. Mr. Pingrey was one of the oldest men of the county both in years and in length of time in this county. He came here in an early day, when the town of Estherville consisted of one house. He has resided her continuously ever since that time and has been a factor in the up-building of this community. His death is generally mourned all over the county.

Mr. Pingrey was one of the few survivors of the Northern Iowa Brigade, which did some valiant service against Indian uprisings in this section during the days of the civil war. His life, like that of other pioneers, reads like a fairy tale. He was one of our most honored and respected citizens. The following obituary was handed us by his pastor, the Rev. J. Arthur Hurley, of the Baptist church of this city:

Amos Andrew Pingrey, son of Ezekiel and Hannah Pingrey, was born December 2th 1830 at Cattaraugus, New York, where he spent his childhood and youth and began the activities of his early manhood. After teaching two years in his native state, he removed to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he remained seven years, a part of which time was given to teaching. July 20, 1858, he moved from Wisconsin to Emmet county, Iowa, where two years later he was elected to the office of county superintendent of schools, which position of trust he served most faithfully and most efficiently for the next five years. Later he taught for eight years in the schools of this county.

He was married to Miss Minnie Maria Rasmussen in 1854, who departed this life in the year 1860.

Mr. Pingrey was converted in 1859 and united with the Methodist church of this city, where he remained a most faithful and active member until the Free Baptist church of this city was organized, which was about the year 1866, when he transferred his membership to the Free Baptist church, where he continued to live the Christian life in close fellowship with his Lord and Master. He was always deeply interested and zealously active in all the work of the church and Kingdom which interest was maintained to the very last. In the going of our Brother, the church is sorely bereft, but what is our loss is heaven’s gain.

Mr. Pingrey was married to Miss Martha Stone at Humboldt, Iowa, May 5th, 1864. To them were born six children, William Eber, who died in infancy; Maria Z, of this city; David S., of Hibbing, Minnesota; Mrs. Mary A. Newton, of St. Paul, Minn.; Lucy O., and Jennie, both of this city; and the five grandchildren together with the beloved wife, remain to mourn an irreparable loss.

When Mr. Pingrey came to Emmet county and settled on the old home place, there was but one house in what is known as Estherville, hence it can be truly said he was indeed one of the pioneers and that he has helped in numerous ways to bring this community to its present state of development. He was always interested in everything that made for the betterment of the community and was ever ready to give and labor to bring such things to effectiveness. It can be truly said he was always and ever zealous in every good work in church and community and state. He served as a state soldier from September, ’62 to December ’63 and ever and always stood ready to make any and every sacrifice to protect the homes and lives and friends and neighbors and wheresoever his country called him to serve.

A good man has fallen asleep. The community is indeed the poorer and the home and loved ones are truly and sorely bereaved and yet what a heritage he has left to all who were privileged to know him.

Amos Andrew Pingrey departed this life June 27th, 1919. Funeral services were conducted by his pastor, J. Arthur Hurley, from his late home last Monday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. Internment was at Oak Hill cemetery. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, July 2, 1919)