Eli WIDGER

WIDGER, FAUSER, OLDER, HEPWORTH, SERVOSS

Posted By: Ronald M Fauser (email)
Date: 8/25/2010 at 08:33:35

Fayette Reporter, Fayette, Iowa, Thursday, November 14, 1912, Page 1
Passing of an Old Citizen
Eli Widger was born in Herkimer Co., N.Y,June 30,1827. He moved to Peoria Co., Ill., in 1857, afterward living at Galva in Henry Co , then later living seven years in McLean Co. Removed to Iowa in the autumn of 1865, settling in Smithfield township, Fayette Co.
In the Spring he met with an accident through the felling of a tree which rendered him a cripple for the rest of his life. He was obliged to change his occupation from that of farming so in 1868 he moved to Albany where he engaged first in the grocery business and afterward took up the work, of an insurance solicitor, He struggled against his misfortunes in a way which would put to shame many able bodied men.
During the seventeen years be sided in Albany he was church and Sunday school was often the one whose efforts alone these religious services were maintained.
Mr. Widger received an exhorters license in 1867 and a local preachers license in 1875. During the years that followed he often supplied pulpits throughout the county and for a number of years kept up regular preaching appointments not for the remuneration but for the love of God's cause and the hope of doing good to hip fellow men. In his work as lay preacher he represented a type of men who have nearly passed away but whose tireless efforts in the earl history of tho Mississippi valley had much to do with its civilization and organization.
Mr. Widger was twice married; in 1851 to Sarah Bromley Keeley who died in 1889. Three children died in Illinois while quite young and three others, P. G. Widger and Mrs. Ella Older of Fayette, and Mrs. Jennie Hepworth of Oelwein survive him as do also one brother, Peter G. of Fayette and one sister, Mrs. j. J Servoss of Savage, Montana. He was again married in 1892 to Mrs. Harriet Burns who also proceeded him to the better land in May 1906.
The death of Mr. Widger removes from Fayette the last individual who enjoyed a speaking acquaintance with Abraham Lincoln. He lived at one time in Illinois only a few miles from the home of Mr. Lincoln of whom he was a great admirer. He was a loyal citizen and while prevented by disability from entering the army was a member of the Union League during the war, Mr. Widger has always enjoyed the respect of his fellow citizens and the large insurance business which he developed bore witness to this fact. In this work he drove over the county continually until 1908 when failing health compelled him to shift the burden more and more to his daughter Mrs. Ella Older who cared for him in his feebleness until finally the insurance business passed to her name and is continued by her.
The end came Monday morning at 5:45 and the funeral was conducted at the Methodist church Wednesday forenoon by Dr. G. H. Kennedy assisted by Dr. D. M. Parker. Music was furnished by Mesdames Tireman and Bennett, Prof. Crane and Harry Carmichael.
The remains were laid at rest in Grandview Cemetery.