Eyerly, Josiah B. 1824-1907

EYERLY, PIPER, TOWNSEND, GRANDRATH, FERRON, GAMBLE, LOW, LAPELLA

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 2/24/2005 at 01:03:47

Josiah Eyerly, a well-known citizen of this city, died at his home 303 South *** Street at a little after four o’clock yesterday afternoon. He had been *** ill for the past five weeks with stomach trouble. For a number of years his health had not been good, *** though his death did not come suddenly or unexpectedly. It still brings grief and sadness to his loved ones and friends.

Josiah B. Eyerly, or Joe Eyerly, as he was known by all in the city, was a native of Ohio. He was born in Richland County Oct. 28, 1834, and was 72 years, ** months and fifteen days of age at the time of his death.

Some time in the early forties his parents moved to Washington County, Iowa, where he lived on a farm most of the time. When he was twenty years old he come to Monroe in Jasper County and went into the Hiskey-Kipp Establishment, where he clerked a while and later became a partner in the store.

In 1861 Mr. Eyerly enlisted with a number of others from Jasper County, in Company B, Thirteenth Iowa. Their Captain, Thomas Miller, was from Newton, and the First Lieutenant was Gen. *** Wilson of this city. The second lieutenant of the company was ** D. Duncan of Greencastle. After serving some time as a private in Company B, he was detailed as mustering and discharging officer under General McArthur. His brother, William Eyerly, who enlisted with him, was killed in the Battle of Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864.

Returning to Monroe after the war in 1865, Mr. Eyerly was elected County Treasurer of this county, and he moved to Newton and built the house where his death occurred. He was married in 1867 to Miss Charlotte Piper. His eldest son, Will Eyerly, of this city, was a child of this wife. After her death Mr. Eyerly married Miss Rue Townsend, who lived but a few years, when he was united in marriage to Miss Celia Grandrath, who survives him with her four sons, Joe, Fred, John and Frank.

After serving two terms as treasurer of the county, Mr. Eyerly went into partnership with M. A. Blanchard in the real estate business. Later he was a partner of W. O. McElroy, but for several years has attended to insurance and only private affairs.

He was a good man, very undemonstrative and quiet in disposition, but withal an aggressive and trusty in business. In the home his manner was gentle and kind and he was a most devoted husband and father. He is survived by four sisters, Mrs. Alice Ferron, who resides in Arizona, Mrs. Hattie Gamble of Oklahoma, Mrs. Mary Low, of Stuart, Mrs. Kate Lapella of Earlham, and four brothers, Daniel Eyerly of Hershey, Neb., Erastus of Nortonville, Kansas, James of North Loup, Neb., and George of Winterset, who with his sister, Mrs. Low, are the only ones who are here for the funeral, which will be held tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock from the Congregational Church. He will be buried by the Masons with the Knights of Templar as escort. ~ The Newton Daily News, Tuesday, March 12, 1907, Page 1, Column 1