Seymour, Chester 1821-1893

SEYMOUR, VAUGHAN, SLAUGHTER, WALKER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 7/8/2006 at 10:01:29

A GOOD MAN GONE. –
“Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in its season.”

DIED – At his residence in Newton, on Sunday, June 4, 1893, Chester A. Seymour, aged 72 years, 1 month and 25 days.

Few men have died in our midst whose death will cause more sorrow than that of Mr. Seymour, by those who knew him best. Faithful to his friends, true to his trusts, active and energetic in the promotion of good, loving and confiding in his friendships, he combined in himself qualities that endeared him to his friends. He was born in Ludlowville, Tompkins County, N. Y., April 9, 1821; removed to Ovid, N. Y., in 1832, where he resided for many years and during which time he married Henrietta Walker, who died in Newton in 1877. He moved to Newton in 1856, and bought the property in which he died; was a member of the hardware firm of Vaughan & Seymour until 1858. In 1879 was married to Miss Jennie Slaughter, who still survives him. He was an ardent member of the order of Odd Fellows, having joined the Newton Lodge in 1856; held all the offices of the lodge, and a member of the Encampment.

No children were ever born to him, but he has found homes and provided for no less than three girls and one boy, all of whom have loved him as a father.

Mr. Seymour was one of the oldest citizens of Newton, and had seen it grow from a few houses to one of the finest towns in Iowa, - had seen the county change from a tenantless prairie to a country abounding in fine farms and residences, - had lived to a ripe old age, honored, respected and loved by all who knew him. For a couple of years past, he has been declining in health, and when the end came it found him ready. He helped organize and build the first Congregational church, and was present at the dedication of the splendid house of worship now occupied by that congregation. In all the relations of life, Chester Seymour was a man who deserved the high position in the estimation of his fellows that he always received.

Mr. Seymour is a brother of Mrs. Wm. Vaughan, who is the only living member of the family, and who is very lonely in her declining years.

His funeral will take place this afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Congregational Church, and the sermon will be preached by Rev. C. C. Harrah. – After which the Odd Fellows will take charge of the body and deposit it in our beautiful cemetery. The sympathies of our people go out for the bereaved ones. ~ The Newton (Iowa) Journal, Wednesday, June 7, 1893.