Veber, Luther H. 1835-1920

VEBER, CLOSE, SAUM, ZIMMERMAN, STROVERS, JAY

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/15/2005 at 05:28:47

Luther H. Veber

Luther H. Veber was born March 15, 1835, on a farm near Toledo, Ohio, but early in young manhood moved to Illinois.

His marriage to Miss Mary Close was solemnized April 24, 1859, which singularly happy union continued until the death of his beloved companion about eleven years ago.

Their married life was blessed with the birth of seven children, namely, Ida, now Mrs. Charles Saum; Laura, now Mrs. W. F. Zimmerman; Alice, now Mrs. Richard Strovers; Dollie, now Mrs. Arthur Jay; William, Charles and Horace Veber, all of whom with the exception of Charles, still survive.

In 1864, Col. Veber, as he was familiarly known to his intimate associates, moved to Iowa and located in Jasper County, where he has since resided. Those who knew him best, will dwell with pleasant recollections upon the years of their friendship. His kindliness of heart and fraternal sympathy attracted all men to him, and he will be remembered for his generous nature and "the unexhausted kindliness which glowed like daily sunrise there." No one who knew him can forget the kindly eye and pleasant smile. However, the soft sheen of marble does not detract from its usefulness and service, and his life, until the last few years, was filled with incessant labor, for no more industrious or conscientious man ever lived. A man who commands the respect, confidence and admiration of his acquaintances for eighty-five years and then passes on without reproach, has earned glory sufficient for any man.

He had the distinction of being one of the charter members of the Church of Christ in Kellogg, and continued as one of its most devote and faithful members until the Master said, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Funeral services for Mr. Veber were held from the Christian Church on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Ashley S. Farnham, officiating. The funeral services were attended by a large audience who came to pay a tribute of respect to the memory of our esteemed fellow-citizen. Interment at the Kellogg cemetery.

Note: I believe Luther Henry Veber was born near Brecksville, Ohio. He died June 10, 1920 and was buried at Our Silent City Cemetery, Kellogg, Iowa.

Sudden Death
Mr. Luther Veber, a very highly respected pioneer citizen of this community was found dead on his porch last Thursday night, by his daughter, Mrs. Arthur Jay, with whom he made his home. Mr. Veber and his son H. E. Veber were members of a fishing party who were to the river Thursday afternoon. He returned home about 5 o'clock and in company with his son-in-law Arthur Jay, had a hearty supper. Mrs. Jay had gone to Des Moines that day and didn't return until after 10 o'clock. After supper, as was his custom, Mr. Veber came down to the Jay barber shop, where he remained some time laughing and joking about the number and size of the fish he had caught etc.

On leaving the shop Mr. Jay told him he was going to the depot when No. 6 came in to meet his wife, but for him to go to bed whenever he felt like it and not wait up for him.

Leaving the barber shop he walked up to High street, where a company of his friends were congregated. Here some of the boys and the "Colonel" as he was familiarly called had a hearty laugh about the fish caught during the afternoon. It is supposed that Mr. Veber went home between 8 o'clock and 9 o'clock and being somewhat fatigued by the exercise of the day, sat down on a seat on the back porch to rest before going to bed. It is assumed that he was stricken with heart failure and died without a struggle.

Mr. and Mrs. Jay arrived at the house shortly before 11 o'clock p.m. Mrs. Jay on going out on the back porch found her father cold in death.

An appropriate obituary of Mr. Veber appears in another column in this paper.

Originally submitted by Susan K. Soden