BRIGHT, Nathaniel Steele 1843 - 1897

BRIGHT, CAMPBELL, GEORGE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:22:45

"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, August 25, 1897
Page 2, Column 2

LITTLE LOCALS.

... The last will and testament of N. S. BRIGHT has been filed for probate. ...

(same publication and page, but Column 4 -- )

Nathaniel Steele BRIGHT.

On the evening of Friday, August 20th, at his home in Fairfield, Steele BRIGHT passed from life; took another step forward in the eternal progress.

Beloved in life by all who knew him, in death he is sincerely mourned by the entire community.

Mr. BRIGHT was almost a life-long resident of this place, coming here with his parents from his birth-place in Pike county, Ohio, in 1846, at which time he was three years of age.

For more than thirty years Mr. BRIGHT was successfully engaged in the hardware business, but disposed of his store about two years ago, since which time he was interested in the insurance business and other enterprises. In politics he was an ardent democrat, and though never desirous of political preferment, was many times put forward by his party as candidate for important official positions. He was for eight years a member of the city council, and at the time of his death was treasurer of the school board, and had, at various times, held other offices of trust, in all of which he discharged his duties with the fidelity, earnestness and absolute integrity which was characteristic of his entire life.

He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, broad, liberal and charitable in his religion; knowing nothing of the austere or the intolerant. A man of large heart, warm feelings and affectionate nature, he was an extremely domestic temperament, and his was the ideal home life. In 1869 he married Mary Belle CAMPBELL, daughter of Hon. Edward CAMPBELL, jr. He is survived by his widow and one daughter, Ona, who have the deepest sympathy of every member of this community.

When Steele BRIGHT stepped across the mystic borderland, there ended upon this earth one well-lived, useful, blameless life. He was "a good man and a perfect christian gentleman."

The board of school directors at their last meeting passed the following resolutions:

Resolved: That we, the board of directors of the independent school district of Fairfield, in special session assembled, have heard with sincere regret the announcement of the death of Mr. N. S. BRIGHT, the late and for many years, treasurer of said district.

Resolved: That in his death said district has sustained the loss of an efficient and thoroughly reliable public servant; the community at large an exemplary citizen, and we as individuals a faithful and honored associate and friend.

Resolved: That we hereby express our profound sympathy with the family and relatives of the deceased, in this our of their deep affliction.

Resolved: That the secretary be and is hereby directed to make these resolutions a matter of permanent record, that as a further mark of respect, this board attend in a body the funeral of deceased and this meeting without transacting the business of its convening, do now adjourn.

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, August 25, 1897
Page 7, Column 3

... Mrs. A. E. GEORGE and little son, of Chicago, are in the city, called here by the death of Mrs. GEORGE's uncle, Mr. BRIGHT. ...

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, August 25, 1897
Page 3, Column 1

... The will of N. S. BRIGHT, deceased, has been filed for probate with Clerk Long. ...

(same publication and page, but Column 5 -- )

Died in His Chair.

Nathaniel Steele BRIGHT died while sitting in a chair at his home in this city Friday evening about 7 o'clock. He had been a sufferer from rheumatism for two or three years past, and later his condition had been made more critical by an affection of the heart which had manifested itself. Neither family nor friends, however, were prepared for such sudden death, and it has proved a great shock to them. Deceased was a son of the late N. M. BRIGHT, for many years a prominent business man of Fairfield. He was born in Beallsville, Monroe county, Ohio, and was fifty-four years of age. He came to this city with his parents in 1845, and his entire life had been spent here. He was married to Mary Belle, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward CAMPBELL, jr., in 1869, and his wife and one daughter, Miss Ona, survive him. Mr. BRIGHT was engaged in business in this city for many years and had a wide acquaintance throughout the county. He was a man of pleasing manner and excellent character, honest and conscientious in his performance of public and private duties and a useful member of society and the community. He was a democrat in politics and had been honored many times with offices within the gift of his party. There are many friends in the community who have known him from boyhood to manhood who will sincerely regret his death. Funeral services were held at the family residence Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. F. Magill, and the body was interred in the Evergreen cemetery.

(same publication and page, but Column 6 -- )

Resolutions of Respect.

Resolved, That we, the board of directors of the independent school district of Fairfield, in special session assembled, have heard with sincere regret the announcement of the death of N. S. BRIGHT, the late, and for many years, treasurer of said district.

Resolved, That in his death said district has sustained the loss of an efficient and thoroughly reliable public servant, the community at large an exemplary citizen, and we, as individuals, a faithful and honored associate and friend.

Resolved, That we hereby express our profound sympathy with the family and relatives of the deceased in this hour of their deep affliction.

Resolved, That the secretary be and is hereby directed to make these resolutions a matter of permanent record, that, as a further mark of respect, this board attend in a body the funeral of deceased, and that this meeting, without transacting the business of its convening, do now adjourn.

W. G. Ross, Secretary.

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"Jefferson County Republican"
Thursday, August 26, 1897
Page 4, Column 6

Obituary.

Steel BRIGHT, Nathaniel S. BRIGHT, was born April 30, 1843, in Pike county, Ohio. In 1846 he was brought to Iowa by his parents, N. M. BRIGHT and wife. They settled in Fairfield and remained here. Two years ago Mr. BRIGHT sold his hardware business to engage in other affairs. At that time he was the oldest merchant in the city.

On June 8, 1869, he married May Belle CAMPBELL, daughter of E. CAMPBELL. She and one daughter, Ona, survive him, two sons having died in early childhood.

Mr. BRIGHT was a democrat often honored by his party tho' always in a minority. He was many times elected as city councilman, was the democratic candidate for county supervisor, and and (sic) four years ago was a candidate for county treasurer, receiving many republican votes, nearly enough to elect him. At his death he was treasurer of the school board, and had been for many years; and also of several other corporations and associations. Always correct in his official work, and clean in his private life, a member of the Presbyterian church and beloved and respected by all who knew him.

Mr. BRIGHT had been in poor health for several years, and although his death had been expected, it came suddenly and carried away one of our best citizens. His death occurred while seated in his chair Friday evening, August 20. Heart failure was the cause. His parents died very suddenly. His father was found dead on the sidewalk, and his mother died resting in her chair.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. F. Magill at the family residence Sabbath afternoon at 2:30 and the remains were laid to rest in the Evergreen cemetery.

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, September 1, 1897
Page 6, Column 3

Marriages, Births and Deaths.

... DIED.

... In fairfield, Iowa, August 20, 1897, of heart disease, N. S. BRIGHT, aged 57 years.

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"Jefferson County Republican"
Thursday, September 2, 1897
Page 2, Column 6

Strange Fatality in a Family.

S. Steel BRIGHT, a prominent citizen of Fairfield, died very suddenly while seated in his chair. He was 50 years of age. His aged father was found dead upon the street several years ago, and later his aged mother died while seated in a chair.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, September 8, 1897
Front Page, Column 2

PROBATE OF WILL.

To all whom it may concern:

Notice is hereby given that an instrument purporting to be the last will and testament of N. S. BRIGHT, deceased, is now on file in the office of the clerk of the district Court of Jefferson county, Iowa, and that Monday, September 20th, 1897, at 2 o'clock p.m., it being the first day of the September, 1897, term of said court, has been set for the proof and final hearing of the same.

Witness my hand and seal of said court this 24th day of August, 1897.

[L. S.] WM. L. LONG,
Clerk District Court.
3t34

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, September 22, 1897
Page 3, Column 7

In Judge Fee's Court.

... Will of N. S. BRIGHT, dec'd, admitted to probate; Mary B BRIGHT executrix without bond. ...

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"Jefferson County Republican"
Thursday, September 23, 1897
Page 5, Column 6

Court Proceedings.

... Will of N. S. BRIGHT, dec'd, admitted to probate; Mary B BRIGHT executrix without bond. ...

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot Old.P.095. Wife Mary died in 1901 and was buried with him.