Patterson, Stephen H. 1843-1897

PATTERSON, GEIBELING, BESHEARS, WELLS, ITSKIN, MUNSON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/10/2005 at 07:38:36

The Newton (IA) Record Friday, October 1, 1897
Sad Death of S. H. Patterson Killed by the Kick of a Horse
Sorrowful Ending of a Useful Life ­ Particulars of the Sad Affair.

Patterson, Stephen H.

Another accident of a most distressing nature has sent a thrill of sorrow throughout our community ­ in fact throughout the length and breath of Jasper County. S. H. Patterson, County Sabbath School Missionary, whose home is one mile east of this city, was kicked by a horse on Saturday evening Sept. 25th, receiving injuries from which he died the day following about noon.

Mr. Patterson, accompanied by his wife, Miss Bertha Geibeling the county secretary, and Mr. A. P. Wing of Prairie City, had gone to Hickory Grove Township to attend a township Sabbath School convention to be held at the Mr. Pleasant M. E. Church on Saturday evening and Sunday, and stopped about six o’clock at the home of Uncle Johnny Breeden, near the church, for supper and to feed their teams. Mr. Patterson had tied his team in the barn at the stall next the door, and when the teams from the fields arrived, he went to assist in arranging the horses in the barn. He had just stepped in to the door and placed his hand on one of his own horses, when it kicked him sending him violently against the barn door and out onto the ground. One of the bones of his right leg was broken and he received internal injuries from which he lingered in the most intense suffering until death relieved him. Dr. Engle of Newton and Dr. Wiley of Grinnell were summoned immediately after the accident, and everything was done to alleviate his pain and save his life, but all to no avail. His faithful and devoted companion was with him through all, tenderly watching and caring for him to the last, although her own heart was almost breaking under her load of sorrow.

The remains were brought to his home, east of town, Sunday evening and on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock the funeral services held at the Congregational Church, of which denomination he had long been a faithful member. Revs. Baumgardner and C. C. Harrah paid beautiful tribute to the Christian character and great moral worth of Mr. Patterson. His whole life had been so pure and so completely devoted to the good of his fellow men, that only good could be spoken of him.

The large church was crowded, many Sabbath School workers from all over the county being present to pay their last respects to one with whom they had labored and learned to love.

All the ministers of the city assisted in the sad services. Miss Treman, Mrs. H. M. Vaughan and Messers. Frank Evans and Fred Meredith sang several beautiful selections, accompanied by Mrs. Cornelia Fisk at the organ. A large concourse of friends followed the remains to their last resting place in our beautiful cemetery.

The Sunday session of the convention at Hickory Grove abandoned its program and held a memorial service, which was full of touching tributes to Mr. Patterson’s high Christian character and energetic and unselfish devotion to the Sunday school work.

Stephen H. Patterson was the son of Robert and Sarah F. Patterson, and was born in Newark, N. J., Feb. 7, 1843. He has been a resident of Jasper County since 1855, and most of his life has been spent on a farm. His education was received in the district schools and in Iron City Business College at Pittsburgh, Penn. Since 1888 he has been acting as Sabbath School Missionary of Jasper County, in which he has done grand and noble work.

Besides the widow, he leaves eight children: Mrs. Chas. Beshears and Mrs. John Wells of S. Dak., Mrs. Ralph Itskin of Baxter, Mrs. M. J. Munson of Newell, Ia., Stephen H., Wm. R., Lillian H. and Walter L., the four latter living at home. One son, Samuel E., was drowned in 1893. He also leaves two brothers and one sister, Clinton Patterson of Boulder, Col., Forrest To. Of this city and Miss Cornelia of Orange, N. J. Heartfelt sympathy for the bereaved friends is universal.

Originally submitted on Sun Sep 15 19:52:51 2002