Russell, Ney d. 1893

RUSSELL, CADWALLADER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 7/6/2006 at 11:44:58

ANOTHER YOUNG MAN GONE. – We, as a community, have again had cause to mourn the death of one of our prominent and popular young men.

About seven weeks ago, Ney Russell left Newton for Chicago, where he was to be the manager of one of the new large hotels in course of erection near the World’s Fair grounds. He had been in poor health for some time, but seemed in high spirits at the prospect before him, hoping that the change in location and occupation would prove beneficial to him. But alas for human hopes! In a very few weeks his throat and lungs succumbed to the force of the cold, raw winds of that city and he was prostrated with bronchial pneumonia. From the first he received the best of care, and not until a number of days had passed was his condition considered dangerous.

When that time came, his anxious, heart-burdened home folks were notified and his father went immediately to him. He lingered but two days, when “the finger of God touched him and he slept.” He was conscious to the last. About an hour before he died his father asked him if he was prepared. His answer was prompt and clear, “I think I am.” Again was said to him: “But you have never made any profession of religion.” – “No,” he replied, “but my mother taught me of the Way. I am ready, if it is my time to die, and I believe I will go to Heaven.” At another time during his sickness his nurse wrote for him a letter to his mother in which he told her that he would meet her in Heaven. Thus, in full possession of his mental powers, without pain or struggle, with bright hope of the Beyond, surrounded by loving father and cousins, his soul passed into the hands of God who gave it.

The time was half past eight in the evening of March 16, 1893, at the home of his cousin, Mr. Tom Cadwallader, at 16 and 19, Aldine Square, Chicago.

The body was brought home for burial by his father, Saturday. It hardly seems possible that Ney has really gone from us. Although born at Russell’s Station, Ohio, the most of his life of thirty-four years has been spent in our midst. Of pleasant, social, warmhearted disposition, enterprising, ardent and enthusiastic, as well as painstaking in whatever he undertook, in business, in social and lodge work, he made many friends, who are at this time called to sever another link in the unstable chain that binds them to earth.

But the loving parents, the only sister and the one with whom he had plighted his troth, is the blow most intense, the loss most irreparable.

They indeed have the deepest sympathy of their many friends, who would help bear the burden if they could.

The funeral took place at the Congregational church, Sabbath afternoon, at two o’clock. The deceased was a prominent Knight of Pythias, being one of the charter members of the Newton lodge, a State officer, and prime mover in the foundation of other lodges. A special train brought the Prairie City and Monroe lodges in a body. The Colfax lodge also came. Mr. Russell was also a member of the fire company and the Odd Fellows.

All these bodies of men, besides our own K. P. lodge and band ant eh K. T. (sic) band (who acted as escort for the fireman) marched from the home to the church and also to and from the cemetery as escort, in full uniform.

The church was crowded, probably not half of the friends who went being able to get in at all. The services were conducted by Rev. D. Brown.

The singers were Mrs. D. J. Eberhart, Miss Sadie Cowgill, Messrs. H. M. Vaughan and Lee Brown.

The text chosen was: “Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye know not, the Son of man cometh.” The sermon was tender, impressive and timely.

A part of the time was taken up by the ritual of the I. O. O. F.

The floral tributes were lovely and profuse, lilies and roses predominating.

At the grave, both the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows held a parting service for their friend and brother, before consigning the earthly tenement of his soul to the white lined tomb, all covered o’re with the flowers that he loved so well. ~ The Newton Journal, (Iowa) March 22, 1893.

Note: There are also printed Memorial resolutions from the Knights of Pythias, the I. O. O. F. , and the Newton Fire Department.