Reuben E. Eshelman, 1881-1909

ESHELMAN, WESTON, PALM, WAIBEL, STRAWN, VIRDEN, MARSHALL, MARTIN, WIGGINS

Posted By: Pat Ryan White (email)
Date: 2/28/2024 at 13:26:27

REUBEN E. ESHELMAN.

At twenty-five minutes past midnight Thursday morning, August 19, 1909, Reuben E. Eshelman quietly breathed his last, surrounded by the sorrowing parents, brothers and sister. His death was sudden and unexpected, although it seemed to his parents that for some time he had been in failing health. July 30, one year ago, he received a hurt on his head which had troubled him more or less since that time and on Tuesday morning preceding his death, while at his store, he complained of the pain in his head and of excessive thirst, to satisfy which he drank freely of ice water, which so affected his stomach that he sank down unconscious and was taken home. Physicians were called who, realizing the seriousness of the case, did all in their power to help him, without avail.

Reuben E. Eshelman was the third son born to Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Eshelman, May 3, 1881. All his life he has lived in Mt. Pleasant. For several years he helped his father in the east side clothing house. About nine years ago he started in business for himself at the store on North Main street, which he continued to the time of his death. Pleasant and genial in disposition, he was a great comfort and help to his parents, who loved their son Reuben with all the wealth of parental affection. They feelingly attest that never in all his life did he give them an unkind word.

Besides his parents, who mourn his death, of the immediate family, there is one older brother, Frederick, one sister, May, one younger brother, Ralph. The oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Eshelman, Franklin, born Nov. 14, 1871, died Jan. 24, 1875, and one daughter, Hattie, died in 1904.

The funeral was held from the residence on Sunday afternoon, and was conducted by Rev. Frank E. Weston, pastor of the Baptist church in this city. His selections from scripture and words of sympathy were designed to give consolation and strength to the afflicted family. At the close of Rev. Weston’s remarks Hon. John W. Palm gave a feeling and eloquent tribute to the memory of the deceased and of friendship to the family, whom he had always known and esteemed, closing with the appropriate quotation of twelve verses from Luke 10:25-37.

The singing was by members of the choir at the Baptist church, which rendered appropriate and beautiful selection. The pall bearers were six young men about the age of the deceased, as follows: Ralph Waibel, Ralph Strawn, Harry Virden, Charlie Marshall, Charlie Martin and George Wiggins.

The remains were buried in the beautiful lot in the old City cemetery by the side of the deceased brother and sister.

The bereaved family feel the deepest gratitude to the friends and neighbors for their many expressions of kindness and sympathy in this time of their great affliction.

“Now past and present are as one;
The life below, is life above;
Thy mortal years have but begun
The immortality of love.”

(“Mt. Pleasant Free Press”, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Thursday, August 26, 1909, page 4)

Resource provided by Henry County Heritage Trust, Mount Pleasant, Iowa; transcription done by Rebekah Stone, University of Northern Iowa Public History Field Experience Class, Spring 2024.