Harvey Church 1888-1906

CHURCH

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/13/2011 at 23:08:21

Died on Saturday
Harvey Church Dies from Injuries Received Friday
Passed Away at Midnight
The Funeral Was Held on Monday Afternoon
Harvey Church, a young man of 18 years and for a long time a resident of this city, met with a fatal accident on Saturday afternoon while at work on the ditching machine of Arnett & Lesher near Gruver. Harvey was driving a team pulling one of the big capstans of the outfit and his horses were on a very strong pull when the chain or some part of the harness gave way letting the singletree swing back with awful force, striking him in the abdomen, throwing him a long distance and knocking him senseless. The accident happened a little before the arrival time of the train for Estherville at Gruver and he was brought to his home in this city on that train, medical aid was summoned immediately and all that the physician and many friends could do was done for him but of no avail. Reaction never set in and though conscious to the last he passed away at 11:45 p.m. Saturday. The funeral was held Monday afternoon from the First Baptist Church, Rev. Morrison officiating. There was a very large attendance. The pall bearers were Ely Ridley, Geo. McCall, Lou Keller, Melvin Sweet, Roy Hipple and Art Kline.

Rev. Morrison preached a most helpful sermon which was very fittingly appropriate to the sad and solemn occasion. The service by the choir was very beautiful indeed. A wealth of flowers, the gifts from friends, was a generous expression of the public sorrow for this untimely death. The interment was in Oak Hill cemetery.

Harvey Church was born at Harvard, Clay County, Neb. Feb. 2, 1888. With his parents he moved from Harvard to Toledo, Iowa where for four years he made his home and came with them to Estherville several years ago and which city was his home ever after. He died July 13, 1906, aged 18 years, 5 months and 11 days. He leaves, besides his parents, two sisters and one brother to mourn his untimely and very tragic death. He was a member of the Highland Nobles in good standing and was buried under the auspices of that society who turned out in large numbers to his funeral. Harvey was a most excellent young man; he was industrious and exceedingly well behaved and kind to his mother and most solicitous of his brother and sisters. He had been variously employed in this city and for everyone for whom he worked he gave the best service at his command and was appreciated by them. He was generally known throughout the city and every one who knew him speaks in the highest terms of him. He was sober and law abiding, honest and just with all and such a young man who would make his mark in life had it been but spared. To those afflicted the Democrat offers sincere condolence and hope that they will be cheered and comforted in the knowledge that his was a well spent life, that his record here was worth remembering and that nothing but good words can be spoken of him now that he has passed away forever. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, July 18, 1906)