Fisk, Frank 1855-1899

FISK, MEYER, HINSDALE, MANN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 4/28/2005 at 15:09:20

The Newton (IA) Record Thursday, January 12, 1899
Cut Down In The Prime and Vigor of Early Manhood
Funeral Services Were Held This Afternoon
Fisk, Frank

Few deaths in the history of Newton have created a more profound impression throughout the community, and in fact throughout the county, than that of Frank Fisk, which occurred last Monday evening in his room over the First National Bank.

His official position as Auditor of Jasper County, and his active participation in Republican politics for several years, as well as his genial and companionable disposition, have made him one of the best-known men in the county, and his death, so sudden and shrouded somewhat in mystery, has carried sorrow into almost every heart and home in Jasper County.

Mr. Fisk attended the revival service in the M. E. Church last Sunday night, seemingly in his usual health. Monday morning when the committee appointed by the Board of Supervisors to make final settlement with the county officers, met to settle with the Auditor, Mr. Fisk failed to make his appearance, and the janitor was sent to his room to tell him that the committee was waiting for him. The door was found to be locked, and Mr. Fisk in a barely audible voice said he wanted to see Mr. Miller, chairman of the board. Mr. Miller went to the room and succeeded in rousing Mr. Fisk, who responded in a few words, that he couldn’t open the door. He knew that something was wrong with Frank, and calling Dr. Hunter, the two tried to gain an entrance to the room, but again without success. Then they climbed to the transom and looking into the room discovered Frank, in his nightshirt, lying prostrate on the floor. The door was then forcibly opened, and poor Frank found to be in a semi-conscious condition, and evidently having passed through intense suffering. Everything possible was done to fan into new life the vital spark which seemed to have almost gone out. The struggle was kept up all through the day; at times he would rouse up and recognize the face of a friend, call the name, and then relapse into unconsciousness. It was a hard battle against death, but the grim monster won, and about nine o’clock in the evening, the spirit of Frank Fisk went out into eternity.

Frank had written a note, addressed to C. M. Hinsdale, which was found lying on the floor by his side when he was discovered in the morning. In it he entrusted Mr. Hinsdale to settle up his affairs, giving minute details of his debts and monies due him; requesting that his son Roy, now a student in Iowa College, should be kept in school, and that he should return to his mother; named his pallbearers, in case death should result; the note further was as follows, leaving out that which does not interest the general public:

“I feel that I am going. My heart has nearly stopped twice tonight. If I should die, I want the Masons and the K. P.’s to bury me. I want my body taken to C. M. Hinsdale’s. I feel another spell coming on, and this will finish all. No one knows what I have suffered and am now going through.”.

Frank had been in failing health for the past year, he himself claiming that he had heart trouble, and thought his death might come suddenly.

Frank Fisk was born in Clinton, Michigan, in October 1855 ­ being in his forty-fourth year when he died. He came to Newton in 1875, and on the 19th day of June 1878, he was married to Miss Cornelia Meyer, only daughter of Col. and Mrs. John Meyer. To them were born three children: Welcome, the eldest, died in 1887 at the age of seven years; Roy, aged 17 and Amanda 13, with the mother survive him. He traveled for several years for a wholesale firm of Des Moines and was connected with Col. John Meyer in the grocery business in Newton for some time. Two years ago he was elected Auditor of Jasper County, his term of office having expired on the 1st of January. He father, Welcome Fisk, and one sister live in Michigan. Mrs. C. M. Hinsdale and Mrs. W. G. Mann of this city, are his half sisters. He was a nephew of Wm. and J. J. Vaughan.

The funeral services were held at the Congregational Church this afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by Rev. C. C. Harrah, the Masonic order having charge and the Knights of Pythias attending in a body.

Originally submitted on Tue Sep 24 19:48:14 2002