SCHERMERHORN, John Brighton 1840-1910

SCHERMERHORN, BOWMAN, RIEHM, RICHARDS, TUBBS

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 7/16/2015 at 15:12:13

John Brighton Schermerhorn – July 1, 1840 – December 3, 1910

John B. Schermerhorn was born near Davenport, Delaware County, New York on July 1, 1840. He moved to Galva, Illinois, in March 1856. From then he moved to Maxonville, Wisconsin, in 1858. In the spring of 1859, he moved to Delphi, Delaware County, Iowa, where he lived one year, and removed to Galva, Illinois.

He was united in marriage to Rebecca Bowman, at Cambridge, Illinois, on July 23, 1861. To this union were born ten children, several surviving him, three having died in early childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Schermerhorn moved in the fall of 1861 to Earlville, Iowa, where they resided for eight years. In 1869 they moved to Marble Rock, Iowa, and located on a farm in Scott Township, at which place they lived, to the time of his death, December 3, 1910..

Mr. Schermerhorn possessed marked natural ability, being a ready debater, a good conversationalist and well versed in business matters. He was a member of the local school board, and treasurer for some time. He held the office as Justice of the Peace for forty-one years. He always took active part in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the general public.

Truly we may say with the poet: “We shall meet but we shall miss him there will be one vaant chair.” Mr. Schermerhorn will be missed in the Lodge Circle. He took membership with the I.O.O.F in Delaware County, when he was twenty-four years of age, transferring to the Marble Rock Lodge later, and has been an active and valued brother ever since, maintaining the position of Past Grand.

He will be missed in the community because of his generous and helping hand, the cheering work and kindly touch which has eased the couch of sick and distressed neighbors thus colling their fevered brow. We will miss his conversation in shop, in store and around the fire side.

He will be missed in the home—The ever cheerful and loving words to members of home. The hopeful inquiry after the grown children, thousands of miles away, often meditating aloud, trusting that they might all meet once more together around the hearth. The voice, joining that of his daughter in son at the organ as they san his favorite selections, “Going Down the Valley,” “One Sweetly Solemn Thought,” and “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere,” will be missed because the heart of a kind and affectionate father, and dutiful husband, is stilled. A place is vacant in the home which never can be filled in this life. “It is the Lord who gives and it is the Lord that takes away, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

There remain to mourn his loss, a wife and help-mate who has stood by his side, in storm and sunshine, for nearly half a century; four sons and three daughters, Frank B, of Huepac, Mexico; Eugene J. of Buhl, Idaho; Sarah C Riehm of Marble Rock; John T of Rockford, Iowa; Wayne H of Spokane, Washington; Annie D. Richards, Spokane Washington and Rebecca Bee, who has always lived with her parents.

Also two brothers and one sister, Uriah of Dakota and Orin P. Schermerhorn of Waterloo, and Mrs. Melvina Tubbs, of Bristow, Iowa, together with a number of grandchildren, nephews and nieces, and a large company of friends, whose names are “legion.”

Funeral services were held at Marble Rock M.E. Church under the auspices of the I.O.O.F. Rev. L. W. Inman officiating. Music consisted of favorite songs of deceased, rendered by male quartette, Messrs Moody, Ramsay, Ackley and Smith.
Interment taking place in Marble Rock West Side Cemetery.