Philip R. Toll 1839-1915

TOLL, SISLER, WAGGONER, STEWARD, TOMPKINS

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/2/2011 at 00:36:41

P. R. Toll Answers Last Taps at His Home Last Tuesday Morning
Last night at one o’clock, occurred the death of P.R. Toll, another old-time resident of the city of Estherville. Mr. Toll came here many years ago and engaged in the livery business. He was one of the most genial men in the city and by his quiet, unassuming ways was at all times on friendly terms with the public he dealt with, and above all was a neighbor among neighbors, always ready and most willing to be of assistance to others and especially loyal to his friends.

Something over two years ago he was injured in a runaway accident, from which he never fully recovered, and from which his death can almost be directly attributed. In our next issue we will give a complete obituary of our friend, P. R. Toll. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, September 22, 1915)

Citizen Soldier Answers Taps
Veteran Grand Army man and Respected Citizen Receives Final Discharge.
P. R. Toll Died September 21
Honored as a Soldier and Respected as a Citizen – He is Mourned by Everyone

After 76 years, 1 month and 16 days of joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, Philip R. Toll, one of God’s noblest noblemen, passed into his rest eternal just as the new day was ushered in on September 21st. Death at all times is attendant with sorrow and anguish, especially to the immediate relatives of the departed one, but when it robs a community of a man whose purpose in life seemed to be the alleviation of human ills and cares – whose greatest pleasure was deprived from assisting his fellowman to a plane where our Creator would that his loved ones might attain – then it that we poor mortals here below stand in silent awe and reverence beside the bier that contains the silent form that we have all learned to love and respect, and ponder over the wisdom of the Death Angel in calling from our circle one whose daily walk in life cast such a resplendent halo of good cheer about all with whom he came in contact.

Deceased was a member of that grand body of men whose ranks are being so sadly depleted by the ravages of Time, and no king or potentate ever wore their crown or decoration with more honor or dignity than this unobtrusive veteran were the little bronze button that proclaimed him a hero during the dark and trying hours, days and years that beset our beloved country in the early 60’s. Mr. Toll was a member of Co. 1, 93rd Illinois Vol. Inf., and saw hard and continuous service throughout the rebellion. He was twice wounded, severely so at the Battle of Mission Ridge. After a furlough at home, he again joined his regiment at Yorkshire, Ga., and had been with his comrades but eleven days when he was again wounded. He was then sent to Nashville, Tenn., where his wounds healed, but left him in such a weakened condition that he was detailed for light duty in that city, and was present during the memorable battle fought there. At this place Mr. Toll was honorably discharged on May 20, 1865.

Deceased was a native of Canada, being born in Kent county, on August 5, 1939. At the age of 19 years he crossed the line into the United States, locating at Princeton, Ill., in 1859 where he resided up to the time of his enlistment. After the war, Mr. Toll located at Wyanet and resumed his avocation as farmer, well satisfied with the results of his service and what he had given for the defense and permanence of the national union. After a few years devoted to tilling the soil, the subject of this article removed to Princeton, Ill., and engaged in the live stock business, but in a short time returned to Wyanet, and thence to Chicago, where he entered the livery business, and later became a general merchant. In 1894 he moved to a farm west of Estherville, and in 1896 he became identified with the interests of our city in the livery business, in which capacity he served until about two years ago. Just about the time of his retirement from a long and active career in the affairs of commercialism he was injured in a runaway, from which he never fully recovered. Despite the efforts of medical skill and the untiring care of a devoted wife, he gradually grew weaker, and some three months ago was compelled to take to his bed, from which he never arose in flesh. But the soul that went out from that frail morsel of clay on the early morning of September 21st, has left its impress deep and true upon all who had the pleasure of knowing P. R. Toll: peace to his ashes.

A good man, a kind and devoted husband and father, and a citizen whom any community might claim with pride, is now enrolled with countless others gone before into the Silent City. Sad as is the parting in this vale of tears, there is joy sublime in the ever recurrent thought that there is a home at last – after this life of turmoil and strife – where in the family circle is everlasting and where partings are unknown.

Mr. Toll was married in 1862 to Elizabeth Sisler, who died in 1969, leaving two children. In 1909 he was married to Mrs. Laura Waggoner. Deceased is survived by the widow, a son, Harry, of this city, a daughter, Mrs. C. R. Steward, of Fox, Ill., a sister, Mrs. Sarah E. Tompkins, of Chatham, Canada, two brothers, Even of Shell Lake, Wis., and Ambrose, of Canada.

Funeral services were conducted at the late home on East Lincoln street, Wednesday, September 22, by Rev. F. F. Case, of the M.E. church, and was attended by a large concourse of sorrowing friends of the family. Members of the G.A.R. post acted as pall bearers, and the services were beautiful and impressive. The remains were laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery, there to await the Resurrection Morn. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, September 29, 1915)