Fields, Charles W. 1822 - 1896

FIELDS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/19/2017 at 13:46:38

Iowa Plain Dealer June 16, 1896, FP, C6

Charles W. Fields, who was one of the pioneers of Howard county, and until within the past few years a resident of Saratoga, died at his home in this city, Friday morning, June 12. He had been in feeble health for the past two years. His widow and three children survive him. Deceased was a man of pure character, sterling worth and unimpeachable integrity. When such an{sic} one passes away the world sustains a loss, humanity, a friend, the state a worthy citizen. In this sad bereavement the surviving members of the family have the sympathy of all our people. Obituary hereafter.

Iowa Plain Dealer June 19, 1896, P2, C4

OBITUARY.
Charles W. Fields was born in Burlington, Conn., in 1822. In his youth he worked in a clock factory in Bristol, Conn., learning there the cabinet makers trade. Later he spent some years traveling through the Southern States, and afterwards engaged in business in New Haven, Conn., which he conducted eight years till ill health, caused by close confinement, obliged him to sell out and join the westward march of civilization. He was one of the early settlers of Howard county, moving hero from New Haven in 1857, and attending the land sale at Osage where he bought the farm in Saratoga township, upon which he lived and labored, enduring the hardships and privations of a pioneer life, working always beyond his strength, till after nearly a quarter of a century of failing health forced him to leave the farm, and in 1881 he began conducting the business of a general store at Saratoga, which he continued successfully till 1891, when he disposed of his business and retired from active life, moving to Cresco, Iowa, where he has since lived.
He was married in 1850 to Mary W. Fields, and of the four children born to them, three survive. The oldest Mary A, wife of F. A. Cut{?}ng, died ni{sic} 1878. Of his eight brothers and sisters, A. H. Fields, of Rochelle, Ills., is the only one now living.
During the thirty-nine years that he lived in Howard county, he was influential in political and religious circles, and served the township and the county in numerous official capacities.
His last sickness, a complication of stomach and liver troubles, began in May, 1894, and since that time with the exception of a few months in the summer of 1895, he has been confined to the home and much of the time to his bed, suffering much in body but calm and tranquil in spirit. He went to his rest June 32,{sic} 1896, aged 73 years.
The deceased was a member of the First Baptist Church of New Haven, Conn. when married in 1850, having united some time previous to that date. He afterward united with the Riceville church and, on removal to Cresco, with the Baptist church here. His unblemished life in this as in every other relation has endeared him to all who knew him in the highest degree. Funeral service at the home, Monday, 1 P.M. conducted by his Pastor Rev. S. H. Mitchell.
The date of death in the obituary of Mr. Fields appears as June 32, an error which passed unnoticed till printed. It will be readily noticed that June 12 was intended.

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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