Mershon, Alva C. 1854-1890

MERSHON, RICHARDS

Posted By: Lois J. Hinshaw
Date: 6/23/2012 at 21:57:21

Newton Herald:

Alva C. Mershon, aged 34 years and 4 months, died of La Grippe, after a four weeks illness, at the home of his cousin, Corneilus Mershon, on Warren Ave., Chicago on March 24th, 1890. His father, Dr. E.H. Mershon, was with him in his last illness, and brought the remains to this city for interment, where funeral ceremonies were held in the Congregational church at 10 a.m. the 27th, attended by a large concourse of people. Rev. J. Coates, of Oxford, assisted by the city pastors, conducted the services, in which he delivered a very pathetic and appropriate discourse.

Deceased, from the age of seven months was brought up in this city, receiving his education in our city schools, and continued to make Newton his home until about Oct. 1st, 1888, when he connected himself with business pursuits in Chicago.

While still in his minority, being the oldest of four brothers, his father, in order to give his boys muscular training and give to them industrial habits, moved on to a large farm a few miles northeast of Newton, where the subject of this memoir soon developed tastes and capacities for a more active business. Piloted by his own genuinus he soon acquired wide celebrity as an insurance agent. His success, all the circumstances considered, became almost phenomenal, and brought him into urgent demand by some of the largest insurance companies in the country. Whatever he undertook, his motto was, "There is go in it and I will make it go."

He had his conflicts in business, his ups and downs; and if the intensity of his nature and purposes led him to measures of questionably propriety, it was never with malicious intent. It was the very furthest from his thoughts that any man should lose money by him. He was more fortunate in making money than saving it--his generosity ever keeping his purse strings open. He ever cherished a sense of gratitude to his parents, and on commencing business in Chicago, resolved on a rigid saving of his earnings for their benefit. The results of this purpose are very gratifying. Such self-abnegation is very seldom witnessed. He will be missed by the business circles of his acquaintance as well as by his associates and many friends in this community. In their sad bereavement his family have the warmest sympathies of all who know them.

Note:

Alva C. Mershon, the son of Elias and Mary (Richards) Mershon, is buried in Newton Union Cemetery, Newton, Jasper, USA in Sec. 07 Lot 076 Block 07. He was born November 17, 1854.

This obit was found pasted, among other articles of interest, on the pages of an old book.