Flagg, Edmund 1815-1896

FLAGG, PEARSON

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 7/24/2003 at 11:41:19

Death of Father Flagg

After long months of suffering father Flagg quietly and peacefully passed away at about 3 o’clock Sunday morning, March 15th, and thus another old veteran of the Cross has laid aside his earthly armor and received the crown of righteousness awaiting him “of the other shore.”

Edmund Flagg was born at Hubbardton, Rutland County, Vermont, May 11, 1815, and was 80 years, 10 months and 4 days old at the time of his death. When a young man of 18, he came west to Wisconsin, where he remained a few years and then returned to his old home in Vermont, where in 1841 married to Miss Louisa Pearson. In 1857 they moved to Indiana, where they resided for about three years, and then again returned to their native state. They came to Iowa in 1867 and settled on a farm three and a half miles west of Newton, where Mrs. Flagg died in 1878. In the fall of 1882 Mr. Flagg and his two daughters moved into Newton, where he lived until his death.

Mr. Flagg was the father of four children – two sons and two daughters. The elder son died in infancy; the younger grew to manhood and in 1866 – just one year before the parents moved to Iowa – he left the old Vermont home and came to St. Louis where he joined a party and started overland for California. After leaving St. Louis no tidings ever reached the anxious parents from him. Father Flagg never entirely gave up home of once more seeing his boy. The two daughters, Mary and Ellen, have devoted their lives to the comfort and happiness of their aged father. For the past few years the younger, Miss Ella, had been teaching in Helena, Montana and ill health prevented her being present during the closing hours of her father’s live. To Miss Mary has fallen the burden of cares during the long illness of her father; but she has done a noble part, and never wearied of her loved one.

Over three years ago Mr. Flagg suffered a severe stroke of paralysis, other of a slighter nature following at different times. A few weeks ago he was again prostrated by a stroke from which he never fully rallied. He was a man loved, honored and respected, a friend to everybody and everybody his friend. He has been a devoted Christian and a member of the Congregational Church since his boyhood.

The funeral services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. C. C. Harrah, in the church, on Tuesday afternoon attended by a large number of friends. ~ The Newton (IA) Record, Friday, March 20, 1896, Page 1, Column 2