Oscar C. Kuchman(1863-1918)

KUCHEMAN, DAVIS

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 7/9/2008 at 05:51:33

Jackson Sentinel
March 19, 1918

Death Calls One of Maquoketa’s Prominent Business Men
O. C. Kucheman Passes Away in Chicago Hospital at 12:10 Saturday Afternoon.

There was a time to finish a grand and noble work; there was a sunset to a bright and glorious day; there was a close to an honored life. Is there a thread of love so strong, is there a twilight so soft, is there a fragrance so sweet that must not fade from our sight into the darkness of “Somewhere?” Why our homes and our communities must be deprived of the usefulness of such men as Oscar C. Kucheman is one of the unsolved mysteries of the human world. It is the one great dread of man to meet such men because of the parting that must come. The glad greetings bear a tinge of sorrow as we think of the future farewell that is inevitable. But our highest fellowship with such as him lies in his memory, as we pass along the highway recalling the examples of true manhood and citizenship set by one who labored among us. The delights of long-tried friendships spring up anew as we review the life and work of Mr. Kucheman; the remembrance of his character serves to inspire high ideals in the future days, left for us to enjoy.

But he has lived. His wife and daughter may be proud that this is true; his friends who were countless, are glad that he once called them “friend;” his brothers in the lodge are rejoicing in their sorrow that his councils were heard and heeded by them; his associates in business take pride in pointing to Mr. Kucheman’s life as having been spent in part with them, helping to promote, assisting to upbuild and aiding to maintain those higher elements of progress which tend to make communities better.

But all this, amid the veil of mystery, we know. The white dew of the morning which sleeps in the bosom of the rose the benediction of all that is incidental to high ideals – the greeting and farewells of those we love are essential to life itself, and that their leaving us is means of demanding our ardent appreciation of the grand mission on which they were sent here by Him who knows all things, to perform.

Obituary

Oscar C. Kucheman was born in Bellevue, Jackson county, Iowa, Feb. 2, 1863. He was the son of Christian and Frances Kucheman, who were early residents of this part of the state. He spent his boyhood and received his early education in his home city and was a member of the first class graduating from the Bellevue schools. Following his graduation, he became a partner with his father in the firm of Kucheman & Son and at that time was appointed postmaster of Bellevue, serving in that capacity for a number of years. To other public offices he was called and in 1888 was elected clerk of courts, removing then to Maquoketa which he has since called “home,” with the exception of seven years which he spent at Beach, N. Dak., having charge of the Golden Valley bank there. At the close of two terms as county official, he entered the Jackson County Savings bank which position he ably filled until May 1st, 1909 when he accepted the position in North Dakota, as mentioned above.

On Jan. 30, 1892, he was united in marriage to Miss Isa J. Davis of Kewanee, Ill., and to this union one daughter, Mrs. Marian Hadley, was born, who with the bereaved wife and mother mourn their irreparable loss. He is also survived by his aged mother and two brothers of Bellevue.

In 1915 Mr. Kucheman and family returned to this city, he entering the First National bank as cashier, which position he filled up until the time of his death. Some months ago Mr. Kucheman’s health began to fail, but his strong will coupled with his jovial disposition so cloaked his condition from his friends that his collapse a few weeks ago came as a surprise to nearly all. Everything that medical skill could do was done and every kindness that could be conceived by wife, daughter and friends was forthcoming, and it was deiced that but one faint hope remained – that of removing him to a Chicago hospital and the services of a noted specialist engaged. This possibly served to prolong life for several days, but human endurance and human skill had reached its limit and his soul took its flight to a greater world at 12:10 o’clock Saturday afternoon, March 16.

He was an honored member of the Masonic, K. of P. and Royal Arcanum orders, and has ever been recognized as one of the most exemplary members of these fraternities.

The remains arrived in this city Monday afternoon, accompanied by the wife and daughter, and escorted by a guard of honor to the late home on the corner of Eliza and Locust streets. The funeral will be held from the Congregational church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev. J. G. Morgan officiating. Interment in Mt. Hope Cemetery.