Palmer S. Converse, 1836-1909

CONVERSE WATKINS CRITTENDEN BAGLEY GAUGE MONROE

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/19/2010 at 17:37:12

DEATH CLAIMS P. S. CONVERSE,

PRESIDENT OF THE IOWA SAVINGS BANK CLAIMED BY DEATH TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 6TH.

HAD CANCER OF STOMACH

Public Spirited Citizen Who Had Great Faith In Estherville.

After a lingering illness of several weeks Palmer S. Converse died at his home in this city Tuesday evening, July 6th, of cancer of the stomach, aged 73 years and 5 months. Funeral was held from the residence Friday afternoon conducted by Rev. Wasser of the M. E. church at 2 o'clock, and the ody laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery by the side of his wife who had preceded him to the great beyond less than two weeks. By his request the pall bearers were his five sons and one son-in-law.

Mr. Converse moved to Estherville from Tama county in 1903 and at once showed his faith in the town by investing heavily in city property and also buying a controlling interest in the Iowa Savings Bank, of which institution he was president at the time of his death. He was also president of the First National Bank at Dunnell, Minnesota. He was a man who had led an ideal and perfect life. He came from Connecticut to Tama county with his family in 1867 and settled
on a farm near Dysart, where he lived and prospered until he moved to Estherville six years ago. His life was an active one and filled with many deeds of a benevolent and charitable nature. He was a true Christian gentleman, and a most devoted and loving husband and father.

P. S. Converse was born in Westford, Connecticut, Feb. 8th, 1836. His boyhood days were spent in and near the place of his birth. He was married October 9th 1869, to Martha Maria Watkins. Eleven children were born to this union, all of whom are now living except one daughter, Edith, who died in July 1903. The children now living are: Mrs. M. S. Crittenden, South Haven, Kansas; E. D. Converse, Estherville; Mrs. D. W. Bagley, Brook Park, Minn.; M. S. Converse, Peabody, Kansas; L. B. Converse, Windom, Minnesota; Mrs. C. F. Gauge, Hudson, Iowa; Mrs. W. A. Monroe, Clarion, Ia.; Miss Clarissa Converse, Estherville, Ia.; F. W. Converse, Estherville, Ia. and F. K. Converse, Lanesboro, Ia.

Source: The Vindicator and Republic, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; July 14, 1909.