Reuben Stapp 1821-1892

STAPP, REESE, KLOTZ, BLAIR, DUNCAN, WILLEY

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 11/15/2020 at 12:06:54

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa Friday, June 10, 1892 page 5

Reuben Stapp Dead.

Although not unexpected, the death of Reuben Stapp, which occurred at his homestead in this township, Sunday morning, June 5, caused universal expressions of regret. He was one on our most esteemed and best known citizens, and his death will leave a gap in business circles not readily filled. Mr. Stapp was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1821; consequently was a little over seventy years of age at the time of his death. He was early left and orphan to fight life's' battles unaided by fortune or influential friends. As a consequence, his education was rather limited, but what he lacked in culture, he made up in sturdy common sense, and an integrity of character never questioned.

In 1842 he emigrated to Tippecanoe county, Indiana. Here, in 1848, he was united in marriage to Sarah O. Reese, the faithful partner who survives him. With their little family, they moved to Iowa in 1852 and settled and lived continuously up to the time of his death, on the well known Stapp homestead. Fourteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stapp, eight of whom survive with the mother, to mourn their great, common loss. These are Mrs. T. J. Klotz, J. J. Stapp, Mrs. J. S. Blair, Mrs. J.J. Duncan, George Stapp, Mrs. O. S. Willey, all married, and the boys Harry and Garry, still at home. In early life Mr. Stapp united with the German Reformed church and continued a faithful and consistent membership up to the hour of his death.

His sickness was of many months duration. The last time we saw him on our streets was election day, last November and we think it was his last visit to the Junction. He was in very poor health then and came out only because he thought it an imperative duty. He was all his life a ? democrat who believed his duty as a citizen not entirely done, except through the faithful discharge of the highest prerogative of citizenship. He was a tolerant of the opinions of others as he was them in his own convictions.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Gurly, assisted by Rev. Beade. The throngs of neighbors who came to pay this last tribute of respect testified their high appreciation of his worth as a man. The remains were laid away in the cemetery at Columbus City. He left no will. The estate will be administered by his wife and son, John J. He died possessed of considerable property; among it nine farms in this and Union township, real estate in Columbus Junction and other valuable property and securities. At the time of his death he was president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank, having succeeded W. W. Eckman, Esq., on the removal of the later to Memphis, Missouri.