Victor James Wood Horswell 1863-1916

HORSWELL, CHURCHILL, WOOD

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 4/3/2015 at 13:47:28

Victor James Wood Horswell, born March 10, 1864 [per cemetery records, 1863], at Stonehouse, Plymouth, England, died February 1, 1916, at the late home, one mile north of Armstrong. He was the youngest son of Richard Horswell and Mary Ann Wood, first wife, by whom were born seven children, all living until the death of Victor. He was the only one of the family who never knew a mother’s love, for he was only three years old when his mother passed on before. He was brought with the family from Kingston, Canada, to Humboldt, April 14, 1970, after a two year’s residence in Canada. Three years later the family moved to Emmet county and settled on the Richard Horswell homestead, where he grew up to manhood, with the exception of two years which he spent in Dexter, Dallas county, working on the farm. When he came back to Armstrong he was the proud owner of a span of fine Percheron geldings, harness and wagon, and was ready to go to work in his own right, which he did with a determination to succeed. On this proposition he never let up till the day of his death.

November 1, 1887, he was married to Miss Lily Churchill, a girl who had grown up by his side; they have always loved each other, not only loved but worked together with the same purpose in view. The father being justice of the peace at the time, performed the marriage ceremony. Of this union there is one son, the joy and hope of the parents’ hearts. Thy had known the effects of a grinding life of incessant toil and something of the limitations incident to meager educational advantages of the first settlers of this great prairie land, their determination was that their boy should not suffer the lack of these. The parents had already planned to relinquish the farm at the end of the present year and move to Ames to be with the son during his four-year course at the college. But alas, man proposes and God disposes. It may be said, however, that the mother and son propose to carry out this cherished desire of the father.

The departed brother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Armstrong, uniting on probation December 1, 1900, and received into full membership June 2, 1901, under the pastorate of Rev. E.E. Gilgert. He was a member of the board of trustees and in interested official of the church to the end.

Of the last tragic scene no one will ever know. The impact of the horse’s hoofs on the breast over the heart, crushing it in and causing rupture, meant certain death. He was not unconscious, realizing that he would freeze if he did not reach the house, he made one desperate effort and walked to the door of the house, but could not open the door. He was found upon his knees at the door, and with the help of his wife was able to walk in. He was able to say he was “afraid he would freeze.” He had only been out about ten minutes and had evidently been trying to get a young colt into the barn. He was taken in the midst of his task. He had gone through the same procedure a thousand times, and had lost all fear of danger. Tehre was a slight change in the placing of the squares in the checker board that morning. It was a sharp testy morning: a sudden movement of the herd of twenty horses; some alien horse let fly his feet and the crash came. In the midst of our daily task and while we are about the usual things our end comes. Who shall say him nay? Is it not best thus to go? The man who lives his life as he should has little to change in the presence of death. Victor Horswell was striving to live such a life. It may be assumed from the very large attendance at the funeral services that he was held in the highest esteem by his neighbors. The business houses of Armstrong were all closed that Saturday afternoon, and the large opera building was crowded in every seat. The services were conducted by Rev. Bates, the pastor, assisted by the pastor of the Presbyterian church. It was a most fitting and comforting service, where all realized the healing influence of the words and presence of the Saviour in the time of our greatest human sorrow. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, February 9, 1916)

John Horswell went to Armsrong Saturday to attend the funeral of is brother, Victor Horswell, who was killed by a kick from a horse last Tuesday. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, February 9, 1916)