English, Joseph R. – 1857-1923

ANTLE, DEE, ENGLISH, GUTHRIE

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:32

Three Sudden Deaths in Colfax This Week
J. R. English Drops Dead While at work
Frank Milburn and Hamilton Nicodemus Also Answer the Sudden Summons
Again the death angel has very suddenly called from our midst three well known citizens of our city. All came suddenly and the people cannot realize that they are gone, as two of them, especially have been in seemingly good health.
Frank Milburn passed away Thursday morning, and altho’ gradually growing more helpless the past fifteen years his condition seemed no worse than usual. He was almost completely ossified and life was not very pleasant for him, altho he remained very cheerful to the end.
Hamilton Nicodemus passed away Monday morning at the Colfax Sanitarium where he had been taken last Thursday. He only recently returned from California and perhaps due to the change in climate his none too sturdy condition was over taxed and his death resulted from the severe case of pneumonia which he suffered. Friends and relatives can hardly realize that he is gone, for he seemed in such good spirits and seemingly good health since his return from the west.
The greatest shock to the community of the three deaths came the early part of Monday afternoon when the word passed around that Joe R. English had dropped dead while planting potatoes on an acreage in the southwest part of town. He had enjoyed a good dinner with his wife, and daughter and two grandchildren, the latter who live at Newton happened to be spending the day here, and went back to work as well as usual. He came to the end of the row he was planting and toppled over. The children of Rube Miller saw him fall and when he did not get up they called the Colfax Sanitarium for help and when the Doctor arrived it was found that he had passed away. He was immediately taken to the Cutter Undertaking parlors, where the body remained until taken to the funeral services which were held at the Methodist church Wednesday afternoon.
It is a striking coincidence that Mr. English and Mr. Nicodemus, who were born with a year of each other, on farms almost joining one another, and who spent the majority of their lives here, should pass away one in the morning and the other in the afternoon of the same day.

Joseph R. English
Joseph R. English was born on a farm just north of the town of Colfax, Jasper county, Iowa, on October 29th, 1857 and departed this life while at his work in Colfax, April 16th 1923, aged 65 years, 5 months, and 17 days. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas English, among the earlier pioneers of this county, who preceded him in death several years ago.
On July 7th 1880 he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Dee at Greencastle and to this union four children were born, Mrs. Jack Antle of Newton and Bernard of Marshalltown, and two dying in infancy.
The deceased was a member of the I.O.O.F. and M.W. A. lodges and was a very faithful member in the former many years.
For many years Mr. English was engaged in the meat business in Colfax, but disposed of the business some years ago and has since been working at different employment. Altho a man of few words he was beloved by all who became acquainted with him. He was the best of neighbors and lived his life thinking good of all men and doing his share wherever he could. A kind and devoted father and husband who will be greatly missed in the home.
Besides his wife and two children he leaves three grandchildren, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Guthrie of Guthrie Center, one brother and one sister having preceded him in death.
Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m., with Rev. W. M. Brooks officiating. The Odd Fellows were in charge of the service at the grave. Interment was made at Oak Hill cemetery.
Source: The Colfax Tribune; April 19, 1923