Church, David W.

CHURCH, PARKER, REYNOLDS, LEBIGA, GILMORE, WRIGHT, LINDEN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/27/2009 at 17:43:38

Church, David W.

Few men of a past generation in Jasper County did more for the general good of the same than the late David W. Church, a man whom to know was to admire and respect, for he was the possessor of that peculiar combination of attributes which results in the attainment of much that is worth while in this world. He aimed to be progressive in what he did, was always in sympathy with enterprises having for their object the common good, and his influence was invariably exerted on the right side of every moral issue. Like all men of positive character and independence of mind, he was outspoken in what he considered right, and his convictions were such that his neighbors and fellow citizens knew well his position on all questions of a political, moral and religious nature. His private life was exemplary and his amiable traits of character and many virtues made him widely popular.

Mr. David W. Church was born in Covington, Wyoming County, New York, June 3, 1819, and died March 29, 1907. He was the son of Timothy and Hannah Church, the former born February 17, 1793, and died November 4, 1859, the latter, born September 10, 1799, died July 29, 1845. They were married July 29, 1818, and were among the old settlers of that County, the father having been a native of New Hampshire, and the mother was born in New York State. Children were born to them, named as follows: David W. of this review, John, Hannah D., Joseph, Jessie, Lizzie, Elizabeth, Agustius, one who died in infancy.

When David W. Church was fourteen years old his parents moved to Michigan, locating on a farm not far from Detroit: later when the father retired from active life he moved back to Wyoming County, New York, where he and his wife remained until their deaths.

The subject received an excellent education in the schools of New York and Michigan. Turning his attention to the legal profession while yet young, he attended a law school in the last named state and was graduated in that branch in September 1855. He met and married Eliza Parker while in Adrian, Michigan. She was the widow of John Parker, deceased, of that place, and she was the daughter of John Reynolds, who was born in France, and Stauchies Lebiga, who was born in Canada. They were among the old settlers of Canada across from Port Huron, and became well known and well established there.

The year following their marriage David W. Church and wife came to Jasper County, Iowa, locating in Newton in 1856, and to this union two children were born: Robert F. B., now deceased, married Ella Gilmore; Joanna Church married Ebenezer Wright, of Sycamore, Illinois, and to them one daughter was born, Edna, who is now married to Arthur Linden, of Chicago. The father being deceased, the mother is making her home with her mother just north of Newton.

David W. Church proved his patriotism by offering his services in defense of his country, enlisting on the 20th day of August 1861, in Company I, Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and he served very faithfully and gallantly for over four years. After receiving an honorable discharge on the 21st day of November 1864, he returned to Newton, Iowa, where he remained until his death, March 29, 1907, at the home where his widow still resides. He was always prominent in political affairs, and when a young man he voted the Democratic ticket, but in later years he was a Republican; however, he finally returned to Democracy before his death. For a number of years he very ably and acceptably served as marshal of the city of Newton and he was also constable. He was an active and worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He did much for the up building of Newton, always being ready to assist in any manner possible the general progress of the town. As an attorney he won wide distinction, being well grounded in the law, and he was earnest, painstaking and untiring. He kept well abreast of the times not only in his chosen life work but in all matters of public, scientific and universal import, and he was a well-read, scholarly man, a brilliant conversationalist and a man worthy of the confidence and high esteem which all who came into contact with him freely accorded. He was also a graduate in medicine of Michigan University and practiced in early life, but after coming to Iowa he never practiced medicine, but gave his attention to law. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 896