Atwood, Merritt W. 1831-1894

ATWOOD, DUNN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/6/2006 at 08:58:20

AN HONORED PIONEER GONE - Another sudden death in our midst occurred last week. "Captain" Atwood has been in splendid health until about two months ago, when he began to have times of prostration and labored breathing, which were said by the physicians to be caused by disorder of the heart. He would recover, however, so nothing serious was apprehended for the present. On the evening of his death, he was seated in a room in company with his wife, when suddenly he put one hand to his breast, his head dropped and, in a moment, without a struggle, his soul had taken its flight to the world beyond.

Merritt W. Atwood was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, June (date is not legible) 1831. Died March 28, 1894, aged 62 years, 9 months and 23 days. At the age of thirteen years, he accompanied his parents to Ohio, and settled in Trumbull County on the Western Reserve. Here he was reared to manhood. About the year 1855, he came to Iowa, where he engaged in teaching school. On the 2nd of February, 1859, he was united in marriage with Eliza A. Dunn, who survives him. Of this union there have been born six children, namely, Charles S., Elmer, Harry E., Grace, Grant W. and Frank C., all of whom survive him except Elmer, who died at the age of 2 years.

Deceased served three years in the service of his country and one term in the Legislature of Iowa. By his death, Jasper County loses an honored citizen, the wife an affectionate husband, his children a kind and indulgent father, and the M. E. Church, of which he has been a member 30 years, a faithful Christian member, having served the church as class leader for several years. He was Superintendent of the Sunday school before he was converted. Mr. Atwood was an every day Christian, bringing up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The funeral services were held at the Congregational Church in Newton, March 30, 1894, when the Rev. D. Philips preached on the "Resurrection of the dead." The remains were then taken for burial to the Newton cemetery, when the G. A. R. Post officiated at the grave and Rev. Phillips pronounced the benediction.
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IN MEMORIAM - The following resolutions were adopted at a recent meeting of the G. A. R., in regard to Capt. M. W. Atwood's death:
Wheras, God in his Providence has taken from our midst our beloved Comrade, Merritt W. Atwood: as a small tribute to his memory, we, Garrett Post, No. 16, G.A.R., herby order to have spread upon our records the following:

1st. That we recognize the fact that he filed and rounded out a good and noble life.
2nd. That by his patient, calm and deliberate bearing and exemplary Christian manhood, in and outside of the circles of the G. A. R., wherever he lived and moved, his influence inspired all with higher aims and purposes.
3rd. That as a soldier in camp, on the march, or in the conflict, in many bloody battles in which he was engaged, he was always cool and brave, never could be stampeded, but like our great commander, U. S. Grant, was always ready to "fight it out on that illegible if it took all summer."
4th. That as farmer, citizen, superintendent of the poor farm, or as the Representative of the county, in the Iowa Legislature, he was always imbued with the same deliberate purpose to devise mans and measures leading to the consummation of the best results.
5th. That while we realize that we have laid his body in the grave to rest until the reveille on the morning of the resurrection, at the call of the Captain of our Salvation, yet we are sure that his spirit is still with us, influencing us to higher and nobler achievements and that through us into those of the generation surviving us and through those ever following his soul will be marching on until time shall be no more.
6th. That in his dear wife we recognize one who was a full sharer in all his anxieties, joys, care, sorrows and perplexities, that she was a true help meet in the faithful fulfillment of the sacred pledge, heart to heart, "until death do us part."
7th. That a copy of the above mementoes be transmitted to the wife of our late comrade with the assurance of our deepest heartfelt sympathy.
John Meyer,
J. R. Zollinger,
John C. Wilson,
Committee