Edwin Dale KOCH, 1889-1890

KOCH, WEED

Posted By: Marsha B. Crawford (email)
Date: 5/30/2003 at 02:59:11

The death of Edwin Dale Koch, infant son of John E. and Carrie E. Koch, has brought sadness to many hearts. The little fellow was but scarcely more than one year old, but his bright, merry ways were sunshine to the home and in him centered the fondest of parental hopes. That prevailing disease, la grippe, that would not permit even the children to escape its influence, attacked him last February, and from it the little fellow never fully recovered. Mrs. Koch came here to her mother, Mrs. Weed, to make a little visit. The child soon became very ill with infantile typhoid fever and the most serious symptoms soon were manifest. For days the little one hovered between life and death, but in spite of love and care and skill, the grave conquered. He breathed his last on Saturday evening. The funeral services were held at the home of his grandmother, last Monday at 2:30 p.m., the spacious house being thronged with those in deepest sympathy with the bereaved home. Flowers filled the rooms, but the fairest one rested in the snowy casket. The grave in Mt. Hope cemetery had been lined with white flowers and the removed earth covered with blossoms and there, with tender words, the little body was laid to rest. “He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them to his bosom” were the words that pastor Van Ness used to suggest comforting truth to the bereaved hearts. Mr. and Mrs. Koch left for their lonely Marion home on Thursday morning, leaving behind the little body that had known just 1 year, 1 month and 5 days of earthly life, but taking with them the abiding interest of many friends.

Published in a Jackson Co., Iowa, newspaper the first week of June, 1890.