Conover, Levi 1828-1898

CONOVER, MATHEWS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 4/25/2005 at 20:54:13

The Newton Record Thursday, February 3, 1898
Death of a Pioneer
Conover, Levi

Levi Conover was born in Cass County, Ill., June 8, 1828. Living on a farm, in childhood was a living picture of The Barefooted Boy with Cheeks of Tan. In youth he enjoyed all the pleasures and bore all the privations of a country boy of that time. Just as he arrived at the age of manhood, the cry of gold came from the then far west. The excitement was even more than at present toward the great Klondike field. The general cry was then westward, go west. So in ’49 he, in company with others, started for California. Transportation was not then in a Pullman sleepers, but the great American Desert and mountain passes were crossed by ox teams. These journeys were very tedious, full of hardships, dangers and exposure. But Providence seemed to smile upon this little company, and they all safely reached their desired destination.

He spent four years in this delightful climate, which has since become so famous. The ties of the old home called him back. He returned to Illinois in the fall of ’53. The following year he came to Iowa, where he purchased the farm upon which he has since lived, and where he died.

March 1, 1855, he married Mary E. Mathews, of Cass County, Ill. Their lot was the common one of the pioneers. The luxuries of life were unthought of, and necessities and comforts obtained by hard labor. Homes in Jasper County, in the ‘50’s were found with great difficulties and disadvantages. He felled and hewed the forest trees; and in accordance to the times, he split one by one the rails to improve his farm. Like many others of the pioneers, the trueness and exactness of the use of the axe were remarkable. Under his hand the prairie became a tillable and productive farm.

Living on God’s broad acres, his soul expanded and lived, so in the winter of 1867 he professed faith in Christ, and joined the M. P. Church, in which he has since been an official member and one of its pillars. He was in usual health until the morning of Jan. 23, when he was partially paralyzed. His suffering was intense, but the faith, which bore him through life, did not forsake him then. Jan. 28, at 8:30 o’clock, the summons came in the form of a cerebral hemorrhage, Come up higher, it is enough. His wife had preceded him 16 years before, to that Heavenly Country. Three sons and four daughters mourn the loss of a father. All but one were with him in his last sickness to minister and care for him.

Jan. 30, the funeral services were held at his home, conducted by Rev. Jas. Kirkwood. His text was Job 14:10 But man dieth and wasteth away, yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? Especially dwelling upon, Where is he?, not in that casket but with Jesus. Being a religious person did not interfere with being prosperous in business; for a religious life demanded an active life. All were human and made mistakes by which other should profit. The deceased was at Class Meeting two weeks ago and testified of his hope of Heaven. His life had not been a failure in the spiritual realm, and in the material was quite a success.

He was of a reserved disposition, very determined, full of perseverance and endurance, which was the key of his success in business. He was always ready to help financially in every good word and work. The needy were never turned from his door empty handed. His word was considered as good as his note. He was respected by all and loved by many. The great concourse of people, which followed his remains to the cemetery showed the great esteem with which he was regarded as a citizen, a neighbor and a friend.

Originally submitted on Wed Aug 28 18:08:02 2002