Oscar Cornish (1846-1931)
CORNISH, SYKES, CLEMENS, DOBBLER, GETZ, STOVER
Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/24/2014 at 21:00:59
Jackson Sentinel, July 24, 1931
FUNERAL RITES FOR CIVIL WAR VETERAN
Oscar Perry Cornish is laid to rest.
Oscar Perry Cornish, the only child of Charles Henry and Adaline Clemens Cornish was born October 15, 1846 in Oneida County, New York. He was educated in the public schools of New York and Iowa. When 9 years old he came to Illinois with his parents and two years later in 1857 to Clinton County, Iowa.
When less than 17 years of age Mr. Cornish enlisted in 1864, in Company F, 44th Iowa Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, most of the time being in the reserve forces in Tennessee. After the war he farmed one year in Clinton County, then went to DuPage County, Illinois, where he learned the blacksmith trade, which business he followed as long as his strength permitted. He opened a blacksmith shop in Berlin, now Grant Township, later moving to Elwood where he had a large, well-equipped shop which he operated for about half a century.
He was honored by many positions of public trust, serving as justice of the peace for 30 years. He was secretary of the school board for several years. He was a staunch Republican, keenly interested in politics. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in which he held all the offices in both subordinate lodge and encampment. He was a member of the M. E. church and interested in all branches of its work.
He was married in 1871 to Mrs Catherine Sykes (nee Dobbler) and to the union were born 15 children, two of whom died in infancy. Laurence, who passed away a few years ago and Grace Getz, who lived in Ohio and Gertrude Stover, who lived in Minnesota. The wife and mother passed to her reward on April 25, 1918. The surviving children are Henry of Maquoketa, Bert of Davenport, Walter of Elwood, William of Beaumont, Texas, George P. of Scranton, Julius D. of Arthur, Floyd of Odebolt, Helen Hull of Lytton, Earl of Lytton, and Louis of Independence. There are also 43 grandchildren, 20 great-children, one step-son, three step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild. A half-brother, Edward of Des Moines, many nephews and nieces and hundreds of friends who knew and loved him for his fine character, for his kindness, his courage, his faith in mankind and in his Maker.
The funeral was held Thursday at 2:00 o'clock in charge of Rev. V. C. Grant and burial was in the local cemetery. The Odd Fellows were in charge of the service at the grave.
Oscar Cornish grave
Jackson Obituaries maintained by Nettie Mae Lucas.
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