Phillip Rasley 1828-1907

RASLEY, REED, PAXTON

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 2/3/2022 at 14:43:26

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, IA
Wednesday, July 13, 1904
page 1

Death of Philip Rasley. This good man passed to his reward on Saturday morning, July 9, at 3:50, after an illness extending over a period of fifteen months, his disease having been paralysis. He was born at Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania, January 7, 1828, being in the seventy-seventh year of his age at the time of his death. He was married in 1851 to Miss Margaret Reed at Bridgewater, Pennsylvania, and in 1854 they moved to Columbus City, Iowa, which was their home until 1875 when they came to Columbus Junction. Here they remained until 1881, when they moved to the farm about a mile west of town which was his home for the remainder of his life.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rasley were born seven children, two of whom died in childhood. These were Alice and James. The remaining five sons Henry A., of Cedar Rapids; Eli, of Toronto, Canada; William C., of Vinton; Edwin R. of Columbus Junction and Arthur of Cedar Rapids. Besides these there is an adopted daughter, now Mrs. Charles Paxton of Columbus Junction, whose home was with them from the time she three years of age until the time she was married. These children were all at home for the funeral except one son, Eli. During Mr. Rasley's long and trying illness he was tenderly cared for by his devoted wife, his son, Edwin, who is unmarried and lives at home and the daughter, Mrs. Paxton, and her husband.

Mr. Rasley united with the Congregational church at Columbus City when a young man and when that church was broken up, with the Central Presbyterian church of Columbus Junction, of which he was ruling elder for many years. He voted the first prohibition ticket in Iowa, leaving his team and wagon loaded with household goods while he went to perform this sacred duty, the day he was moving from this place to his farm. Only good is to be spoken of Philip Rasley. He was a devout Christian loving his church and devoted to its work an honest, upright man in every relation of life, conscientious and earnest in all he did. The funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church of this place Monday afternoon, conducted by his pastor, Rev. Vance. The Pallbearers were Elders Huston and Reaney and Messrs. J. A. Hanft, E. B. Tucker, A. J. Schmoker and J.J. Carr. The interment was at Columbus City cemetery.