Couch, Rufus Barnabus – d. 1900

COUCH, MALLOW, TOPPER, WHEELER

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 12/30/2022 at 17:33:38

Death of R. B. Couch
At his home two miles north of Mingo, on Saturday morning, March 3, 1900, Rufus B. couch passed away, after a long and painful illness, a victim of heart disease, at the age of 67 years, 8 months and 12 days. The funeral was from Ashton Chapel last Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. M. Cummings, of Baxter, and the interment was in the cemetery adjoining. The G.A.R. Post, of which deceased was a member, furnished the pall bearers, and E.M. Street, of the Post, made a short and feeling address. The details of the obsequies were a duplication, as nearly as possible, of the ceremonies at the burial of his brother Danvers S., some two years ago, and they were attended by a large number of neighbors, friends and relatives who realize that in his death the community has lost one of its best citizens and most honorable men.
Rufus B. Couch was a native of Ashland county, Ohio, and was educated in the public schools of his native state. On August 12, 1862 he enlisted in Company K, 101st Ohio Infantry. This regiment was in the battles of Perryville, Kentucky, Knox Gap, Stone River, Tullahoma and Liberty Gap, Tennessee, Chickamauga, Rocky Face Ridge, Tunnel Hill, Buzzard’s Roost, Resaca, Kingston, Kennesaw Mountain, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Franklin and Nashville, besides numerous skirmishes. Of his regiment 27 were killed, 169 wounded in action and 160 died of wounds and disease, making 406 in all out of 1080 men and officers. Mr. Couch was never wounded, never taken prisoner and was never in the hospital. He enlisted and served as a private to the end of the war, when he returned to Ohio and remained in that state until 1867, when he came to Jasper county, Iowa. For two years he resided near Newton and rented land from that time until 1877, for he came to the county with little means. At the time of his death he was the owner of nearly 300 acres of land in one body and 60 acres of timber, 245 acres of which are under a fine state of cultivation.
In 1852 he was married to Miss Mary Mallow, of Ohio, daughter of James and Elizabeth D. Mallow, and to them were born nine children: D. H. was born in Ohio on the 18th of May, 1853, and resides in this county; Clara E., the wife of R. E. Topper, of Colfax, was born on the 14th of May, 1855; Amanda, born in Ohio, September 13, 1857, married Orville Wheeler and is a resident of this county; James B. was born in Ohio in 1859 and died in 1869; Charles W. was born in Ohio in 1861; Andrew was born in Ohio in 1866, and Frank and Warren (twins) were born in this county in 1868, and W. A. was born in this county in 1872.
The honorable name and untarnished record this estimable man leaves to his wife and children is a richer heritage than the comfortable competency – the fruits of his years of toil. He rests from labor and suffering. He has gone to his reward.
Source: The Colfax (IA) Clipper; Friday, March 9, 1900, page 7