William J. Sizer 1823-1909

SIZER, VAN VELZER, EGLIN, COLEMAN

Posted By: Merllene Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/9/2010 at 11:16:53

Mrs. Frank Van Velzer and Mrs. Eglin of Estherville, Tuesday accompanied the remains of their father, the late W. J. Sizer, from the Estherville cemetery to Lakeview cemetery and laid them beside a companion who departed this life a number of years since. Mr. Sizer was a pioneer resident of this county. He died at Estherville last December (Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, IA, November 12, 1909)

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Van Velzer, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sizer and Mrs. H. Eglin and son Carl, were at Spirit Lake Tuesday with the body of W. J. Sizer which they had removed from Oak Hill cemetery and buried at the side of his wife in the Spirit Lake cemetery. (The Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, November 10, 1909)

William J. Sizer
William J. Sizer died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harry Eglin, in this city, this morning at 12:25. He had been ailing six weeks. The funeral services will be held tomorrow at two o’clock at Mrs. Eglin’s home. Burial will be made in Oak Hill cemetery.

W. J. Sizer was born in Trenton, Oneida county, New York, November 13, 1823. On July 4, 1844, he was married to Esther Coleman of Whitestown, New York. To this union the following children were born: Mrs. Frank Van Velzer, Mrs. Harry Eglin, and Fred Sizer of this place, and Will of Kalispell, Montana.

The family came to Allamakee county in 1856, and in 1870 moved to Spirit Lake. Mr. Sizer moved to Estherville in 1887, and has resided here since that date. He was a survivor of the Mexican War.

Will Sizer was a man of sterling character. He had a host of friends who were grieved to learn of his death.

All extend sympathy to the family. (The Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, December 2, 1908)

A Pioneer Passes Away
William J. Sizer, One of Estherville’s Pioneer Residents, Dies Early This Morning, Dec. 2 of Heart Failure
Was Over 85 Years of Age
Has Lived in Estherville Since 1856
William J. Sizer died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harry Eglin, in this city, at 12:25 this morning, December 2nd of heart failure, after an illness of about six weeks. Funeral is to be held from the residence Thursday afternoon at two o’clock and the body buried in Oak Hill cemetery. Deceased was born at Trenton, Oneida county, New York, March 13, 1823. In 1856 he came to Iowa, settling in Allamakee county, and there engaged in farming until 1879, when he moved Spirit Lake, where he resided until 1887, after which he has since resided making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Harry Eglin. July 4th, 1844 he married Miss Esther Coleman, of Whitestown, Oneida county, New York, with whom he lived happily until her death, which occurred at Spirit lake in 1887. Four children are living: Wm. Sizer, of Kalispell, Montana, Fred Sizer, Mrs. Harry Eglin and Mrs. Frank Van Velzer, of Estherville.

William J. Sizer, better known as Grandpa Sizer, was a kind-hearted, genial old gentleman with whom it was a pleasure to converse even in his declining years. He was a good neighbor, kind husband and indulgent and loving father. (The Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, December 2, 1908)

A Pioneer Gone
William J. Sizer died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Eglin, on north Sixth street Tuesday evening, December 1st, at the age of 86 years. He had enjoyed excellent health all during his life until six weeks ago when he was taken sick. He came to Iowa in 1856 and remained in Allamakee county until 1879 when he moved to Spirit Lake where he resided until 1887 when he came to Estherville to live with his children, most of the time making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Henry Eglin. Deceased was married to Miss Esther Coleman at Whitestown, N.Y. in 1844. She died in Spirit Lake in 1887. Four children were born to them, all of whom are still living, Wm. Sizer, of Kalispell, Mont., Fred Sizer, Mrs. Henry Eglin and Mrs. Frank VanVelzer residing here. Funeral services were held at two o’clock Thursday afternoon and the remains interred in Oak Hill cemetery. Father Sizer had been a most excellent man in all his years and will be greatly missed by relatives and friends. He was a survivor of the Mexican war. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, December 9, 1908)