YOUMANS, Charles Sumner 1860 - 1898

YOUMANS, SQUIRES, VAN NOSTRAND, JONES, JENKINS

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 9/20/2010 at 10:40:35

Fairfield Ledger
Wednesday, Oct. 26, 1898
Pg. 3, Col. 5

Fell Before the Fever

Charles S. YOUMANS, whose serious illness The Ledger has noted from time to time, died at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.B. YOUMANS (sic. Joseph B. YOUMANS and Abigail SQUIRES YOUMANS), four miles north of this city Saturday morning. His illness dated from September 20th, and, although his condition had been very critical for a week or more preceding death, he had struggled so bravely against disease that his friends were hopeful that he might yet master it. Mr. YOUMANS was born in Warren county, Ill., February 6th, 1860, and grew to manhood in that community. He came to this county in March, 1892, on the removal of the family hither, and engaged in farming. He was one of the original members of Company M, Second regiment Iowa National Guard, and one of the first to respond to the president's call for troops in the recent war with Spain. He went with his regiment to Camp McKinley, Des Moines, and to Camp Cuba Libre, Jacksonville, Fla., and was one of the men detailed to escort home the remains of Charles VAN NOSTRAND, whose death was the first in the company. He was discharged from the service shortly after his return, friends here having made application for a discharge for him, without his knowledge, because there was urgent demand for his presence at home. Mr. YOUMANS was a young man of splendid character, and a general favorite among his comrades and all who learned to know him. Whatever he attempted was well done, whether on the farm, in business affairs or in the exercise of citizenship. He was a good soldier and his attention to duty early won him the respect of his superiors and the esteem of his comrades in arms. His untimely death will be very generally mourned throughout the community, and the deepest sympathy will go out to the family which is called to mourn the loss of a dutiful son and affectionate brother.

Funeral services were held at the First Methodist Episcopal church Sunday afternoon at 2:30, and that large audience room did not suffice to hold half the assemblage which gathered to pay a last sad tribute to this excellent young man. Rev. W.C. Shepherd had charge of the exercises, and was assisted by Rev. J.F. Magill of the Presbyterian church, Rev. I.O. Kemble of the Methodist, and Rev. Leander Lane of the Christian. The music was rendered by a double quartet from the Methodist church choir. Forty-two members of Company M were present in uniform. Forest City Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of which the deceased was a member, was represented by the presence of almost every knight in the city. The services at the church were those of a military funeral, while the Knights of Pythias conducted the interment according to the ritual of their order.

The death of Mr. YOUMANS is the fourth since Company M enlisted in the service of the government for the war with Spain, all the young men falling before the same disease, a deadly fever. With one, Frank B. JONES, a comparative stranger, our people had little acquaintance. The others, Charles VAN NOSTRAND, George V. JENKINS and Charles S. YOUMANS, were men of the highest standing in the community and their deaths have been deeply mourned.

* Transcribed for genealogy purposes. I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, Iowa. Old.P.073