Gerhart, Charles F. 1891-1914

GERHART, GEARHART, GIBSON, BATY

Posted By: Shelley Arri (email)
Date: 6/28/2004 at 13:02:42

Newton (IA) Daily News - March 5, 1914
"YOUNG FARMER DIES AFTER ILLNESS OF SEVERAL WEEKS

Charles Gearhart, a young farmer, northwest of Metz, died this morning* at 8 o'clock a victim of diabetes. He had been ill for quite a while but the loving care of his wife and mother, Mrs. Johanna Gearhart, were of no avail. He is a very young man, being about twenty-three years of age and his death is very sad. The sorrowing family have the sympathy of many friends. He leaves besides his wife and two children, one 3 years old and the other three months old, his mother, Mr. Johanna Gearhart, a sister, Mrs. Jap Baty, and three brothers, Lewis, Willie and Fred.

The funeral will be held Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the Metz Baptist church."
* Submitter's Correction: He actually died the evening of March 4, 1914, not the morning of March 5.
Newton (IA) Daily News, March 13, 1914
"OBITUARY

Charles Gearhart was born in Newton township June 16, 1891 and at his death was 22 years, 8 months and 16 days of age. He was married to Miss Anna Gibson August 9, 1911.

Two children were born to this family, Louis Charles who is three years old, and Clifford Earl, who is three months old. These two little ones who are left will never know a father's love, being too young to realize their father has gone to the Great Beyond.

Charles was a loving husband and father and tried to the last to let all know that he was sorry to part with his two loving children and wife. He was preparing to go to Rochester, Minnesota to the hospital to see if anything could be done for him that he could regain his health once more. Arrangements were being made to take him there on Monday, March 9th, but on the same evening, he called his mother to his bedside and asked that his children be kept together should he not get well. During the same evening he became worse and was part of the time unconscious and could not talk to loving friends and relatives who were at his bedside. He was conscious several times, one of which he asked for his sister, Mrs. Anna Baty. From the time his sister arrived, he did not seem to recognize anyone hardly, but once he called his wife to his bedside and placed his arms around her and tried to talk to her but could not make them understand.

From that time, he grew worse and on Wednesday evening at 7:30 he passed away to join his father in the land of rest and sunshine. He had several good doctors who did all they could to relieve his suffering and pain, Dr. Vanvorse of Prairie City being his main doctor.

He leaves to mourn his loss a loving wife and two children, also a loving mother, one sister and three brothers.

His funeral was preached at the Metz church by Lutheran minister, Rev. Bright, of Newton, and he was laid to rest by the side of his father in the Metz cemetery on Saturday, March 7th. A large concourse of friends and neighbors attended the funeral. The pall bearers were Charley and Earl Curry, Drew and Jay Coffman, Charley and Jay Chapman."