Russell K. Soper 1843-1910

SOPER, WILLIAMS, LEIN, HAWK, RIDLEY, WEAVER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 12/24/2010 at 00:07:24

R. K. Soper Passes Away
Was Ill Only a Few Days With Pneumonia – Died at His Home in Jackson
Was Auditor Emmet County
Also Fish Commissioner Under Governor Boise – Buried in Estherville Sunday Afternoon.

Rufus [Roswell] K. Soper, a former resident of Estherville, died at his home in Jackson, Minnesota Thursday afternoon, February 24th, of pneumonia, after a brief illness. Funeral services were held from the residence Sunday morning and the body brought to Estherville for interment in Oak Hill cemetery, short services by Rev. Benjamin Franklin being held at the home of his son, Rufus Soper. A wife, by second marriage, two sons, Harry, of Cedar Rapids, Rufus, of this city, a daughter, Mrs. Ike Hawk, of Boise City, Idaho, two sons by his second wife, two brothers, Capt. E. B. Soper, of Emmetsburg, Frank Soper of South Dakota, and two sisters, Mrs. Elmira Ridley, of this city, and Mrs. Lillie Weaver, of California, survive him.

Deceased was born May 19th, 1843 at Greenwich, New York, and moved to Iowa when he was a boy. In 1883 he moved to Emmet county, buying what is now the John Griffith farm north of town. He was a man of strong personal characteristics and figured quite conspicuously in democratic circles. He was appointed by Gov. Boise state fish commissioner and later was elected auditor of Emmet county on the democratic ticket.
Those offices he filled with a great deal of credit and satisfaction both to the state, the county and himself. About ten years ago he sold his interests in this county and moved to St. James, Minnesota, where he lived until five years ago when he moved to Jackson, where he lived until his death. Wherever he resided he was always considered a first-class and public spirited citizen. He was devoted to his friends and they were legion. His death came as a shock to his friends here as well as at Jackson for up to the time of his late sickness he was enjoying the best of health. He was married in 1867 at Mt. Vernon, Iowa to Cynthia J. Williams. The wife and mother passed away November 9th, 1897 and was buried at Estherville. Mr. Soper’s second marriage was with Julia Lein February 1, 1898. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, March 2, 1910)

R. K. Soper Dead
Passed Away Thursday Afternoon at Jackson, Minn.
Formerly Resided Here
Was Prominent Emmet County Citizen for Many Years – Funeral Held Sunday
R. K. Soper died Thursday morning, February 24th, at his home in Jackson, Minn., of pneumonia after a sickness of only a few days. At the time of his death he was sixty-seven years of age.

Deceased was one of the early settlers of Emmet county, coming here from Anamosa in 1883 and investing in Emmet county land. He was a staunch democrat and took an active part in politics. In 1890 he was appointed state fish commissioner by Gov. Horace Boise and held the office one year. In 1892 he defeated the republican candidate, Fred Woods, and was elected auditor of Emmet county, which was a true test of his popularity with the people of this county. He served one term as auditor. He remained here until the year 1900 when he moved to St. James and six year ago he purchased five acres of land at Jackson and erected a modern home where he had since resided.

Funeral services were held at the home in Jackson Sunday morning and the remains brought to this city for burial at Oak Hill Cemetery beside his first wife who died twelve years ago. Short services were held at the R.D. Soper home on north Sixth street by Rev. Benjamin Franklin, pastor of the Baptist church. The pall bearers were: J. H. Wilson, H. A. Jehu, Wm. Maxwell, J. Petersen, Nels Anderson, and J. J. Klopp.

Five children, Rufus D., of this city, Harry of Cedar Rapids, Mrs. I.K. Hawk, of Boise, Idaho, two young daughters and a widow at Jackson, a sister, Mrs. J. W. Ridley, of this city, Mrs. Lillie Weaver, of Los Angeles, Cali., and a brother, E. B .Soper, of Emmetsburg, and numerous other relatives are left to mourn his sudden demise.

R. K. Soper was a man who will be greatly missed from a community. He was a loyal friend of the poor man and a generous and hospitable disposition. He raised a most excellent family, every one of whom are a credit to their parents. He was an old soldier and fought for the freedom of his county. May he rest in peace. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, March 2, 1910)