Asnhel D. Whitcomb 1830-1893

WHITCOMB, LYON, JAMISON

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 3/12/2024 at 09:14:09

The Wapello Republic, Wapello, Iowa
Thursday, August 3, 1893
Page 4

Last Friday evening, a little before six o'clock, the released spirit of A. D. Whitcomb took its flight, and the weary body that had been racked with pain and suffering for more than a quarter of a century was at rest. Asnhel D. Whitcomb was born in Townsend, Vermont, Oct. 24, 1830. He was married Oct. 17, 1849 to Sarah A. Lyon at Schoolcraft, Mich who with one daughter survive him. As the result of this union there were born two daughters, Mary E. who is the wife of M. L. Jamison, of this city, and Amelia D., who died Jany 28, 1865.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Whitcomb caught the fever of fortune seeking and adventure, so prevalent then and joined a party that went to California, a journey full of peril and hardship. Returning from the coast, he located in Chicago for a time, when he was offered a position as master mechanic on a railroad in Nebraska where he lived for a few years. He next located in Burlington where he made his home sixteen years and until he moved to Wapello. In Sept. 1861 he enlisted as a private in co. "K" of a regiment known as the Missouri engineers. Because of his courage and industry he was gradually promoted until he was commissioned captain before his discharge, June 25, 1865.

He received some serious injuries while in the service. From the effects of this injury no doubt, he was stricken with paralysis, April 19, 1891. He had another stroke in Dec. 1892 and a third July 24, 1893, after which he was unconscious and helpless until his death. Mr. Whitcomb united with the Baptist church in 1849 retaining his relations with that body until about five years ago when he united with the Presbyterian church of Wapello. He was an earnest bible student and a zealous church worker. The funeral occurred from the Presbyterian church Saturday after at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. H. Condit, assisted by Rev. J. C. Willits and Rev. J. H. Knehan.