Joshua Stark Williams
WILLIAMS, COSTON, SMITH, BALLOCK
Posted By: Carrie Robertson (email)
Date: 3/8/2017 at 22:42:34
The Marion Weekly Sentinel Thursday September 20, 1923
AN OBITUARY
Brief Sketch of the Life of the Late Joshua S Williams
Joshua S. Williams was born at Canajoharie, N.Y., Nov. 9, 1952[sic] and died at Marion, August 29, 1923.
He came west when thirteen years old and began his railroad career on the Iron Mountain road, running out of St. Louis. But after about two and one-half years to please his mother, he retired to New York and for thirteen years was conductor in the Wagner sleeping car service, running between New York and Chicago.
At the time of the construction of the Ottumwa line of the C.M. & St. P. railway from Marion, he again came west and ran a train between Marion [a]nd Ottumwa continuously from that time.
He was married to Leona Coston, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Chauncey Coston, at Chillicothe, Mo., August 1, 1889. They lived at Chillicothe until twenty years ago when they moved to Marion.
Besides his wife he leaves one brother, Arthur A. Williams, of Stoneham, Mass., two sisters, Mrs. Alice Smith, of Long Island, Mrs. Maria Ballock, of New York City........
He became a Mason in New York, but transferred his membership to Iowa, where he was a member of all the co-ordinate branches. He was a man of true courtesy, always affable and genial; with great respect for the old and a pronounced lover of little children. He met every one with a smile and a word of cheer. His concern seemed always to be for others, and often he passed over lightly and minimized his own condition, which had become serious in later years.
No man in the railroad service had more friends than he, on the line from Marion to Ottumwa. Not only those who rode with him frequently, but the occasional travelor[sic], the trainman, the employe of the company and the residents of the country and towns through which he passed and who had become acquainted with him, were his friends.
He was unpretentious but genuine his ideas were high, his moral standards stable. Along the pathway of his daily travel he scattered the flowers of kindness and helpfulness. Alwaysseeking[sic] opportunity to serve, in private as well as in business life, he found the reward of contentment and the wealth of enduring friendships. 'Tis a great thing for a man to find his life work; to love it and fulfill its duties faithfully and with gladness. Such a one was "Josh" Williams as he was affectionately called.
These lines seem prticularly[sic] fitting:
"He loved his work, and in it seemed to find the goal of life, a sweet contented mind. He loved his fellows, and their love was sweet; plant daisies at his head, and at his feet."
The grave will not contain the soul,
It's gone to Him, 'twas on His Roll,
Thy resting place will oft be seen,
Because the "sprig" will keep it green.
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=114486919
Linn Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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