HENN, Clara 1846-1847

HENN, BISSELL, HUFFORD

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 4/3/2010 at 18:39:32

Note: This is a full transcription of the original obituary for this infant child. The Fairfield Sentinel newspaper was the first Fairfield area newspaper and this issue was one of the first issues published that were retained for microfilming.

Fairfield Sentinel
July 31, 1847
Pg. 3 Col. 4

OBITUARY

Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O Death!

Communicated

Died,

On Sunday, July 25h, 1847, CLARA, daughter of BERNHART and ELIZABETH S. HENN, aged 8 months and 5 days. A severe blow to the bereaved parents and surviving sisters, the death of little Clara is one to be keenly felt by all who knew her. Although still in infancy, such were her winning ways, and her peculiarly placid smile of beautiful innocence, as to have impressed themselves imperceptibly, and irresistibly upon the hearts of all; and in saying, as the writer hath often done while yet she was in life and health, that she was one to be loved even by the stranger, as if she were "bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh," he has pronounced her highest eulogy. She was indeed a child of unusual loveliness, and unusually beloved. Thus has been prematurely plucked a beautiful bud of promise - but doubtless for purposes the most high and good. "He who gave hath taken away," and in the confident hope that their lost treasure has been called into His keeping is found a soothing source of consolation for the afflicted family.

V.

----------
Note: Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to this surname.

----------
Transcriber note: The father, Bernhart HENN, was an early pioneer leader of Iowa and Jefferson County and Fairfield. Ultimately, several homes and buildings of his were later given to what was to become Parsons College in Fairfield. The Henn Mansion on that campus was one such building.

It is believed that Clara, and possibly a sibling Bernhardt HENN, and the father Bernhart HENN were originally interred in the Old Fairfield City cemetery in Lot 100 that was purchased under the HENN name.

At some point, dates unknown, it appears that Clara, the sibling Bernhardt, and father Bernhart were re-interred into Evergreen Cemetery in Old.P.292, where they and other members of the HENN and subsequent BISSELL families are buried. In an adjoining plot (Old.P.265) is that of another HENN daughter, Mary J. HENN HUFFORD and her husband, Rollin.

What may have been the original infant-themed monument at Old Fairfield Cemetery is located next to the HENN monument at Old.P.292 where Clara and her sibling Bernhardt are listed as being buried. It is toppled over, however, and the exact inscriptions are not legible. On either side of this small monument can be seen lamb-like figures engraved as would be typical for infant children.