SAMUEL LUCIUS BESTOW

BESTOW, ROGERS, FAIRCHILDS, SMITH, AYER, HUVER, DRESSEL, MCCULLAGH, MALLORY, BOLES, LEWIS, HETTINGER

Posted By: David (email)
Date: 12/13/2004 at 15:45:44

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa
Thursday, January 17, 1907

SAMUEL LUCIUS BESTOW was a native of Erie County, New York. He was born at
Williamsville, on March 8, 1823, and died at his home in Chariton, Iowa,
January 10, 1907, his age therefore being 83 years, 8 months and 2 days. He
descended from New England revolutionary stock, his father being JOB BESTOW,
one of the pioneers of Erie County, who settled there from Hillsdale,
Massachusetts, as early as 1812. His mother's family name was ROGERS --
GUELMA ROGERS. He was the only son of a family of five children. Two
sisters survive him, MRS. CHARLOTTE FAIRCHILDS, of Union City, Penn., and
MRS. ELMA SMITH, of Chicago. Early in Life he was united in marriage to
MISS MARGARET AYER, in their native State, and to them were born four
children, JOB BESTOW now of Chicago, MRS. LUCY A. HUVER, Williamsville, New
York, MRS. LAURA J. SMITH, Mercer, Penn., and LUCIUS BESTOW, who died in
Chicago, on Jan. 22, 1899. MR. JOB BESTOW and MRS. HUVER were present at
the funeral but the other daughter, MRS. SMITH, could not be reached as she
was on an ocean voyage to Florida at the time of her father's death. Also F
S. HUVER, who accompanied his wife from New York, FREDERICK BESTOW, a
grandson, from Chicago, and MRS. WILLIAM DRESSEL, former wife of LUCIUS
BESTOW, of Chicago, were present at the obsequies.

MR. BESTOW came to Lucas County, Iowa, in the fall of 1869, purchasing a
farm two miles east of this city, where he resided until after his wife died
on April 22, 1900, when he sold it, gave up business and came to live in
town. The funeral was held from the home at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, Jan. 13,
conducted by Rev. McCullagh, of the Presbyterian Church, and the Masonic
fraternity, of which he was an honored member of the Knight Templar degree.
Many came to pay their tribute of respect to an honored citizen. His mortal
remains were laid to rest in the family burial plot, beside those of his
companion, in the Chariton Cemetery, consigned after the beautiful ritual
ceremonies, in the presence of friends, who spoke "farewell" with uncovered
heads.

* * * * * * * * * *

As a citizen no eulogy is needed. Suffice it to say he met the requirements
as they presented themselves and shrank from no responsibilities. He was
frank with his fellow men and just in his dealings and had a humane spirit
which caused him to consider the needs of others as well as himself. He had
no patience with profligacy or shams but took a real delight in the genuine,
no difference the position in life. As a business man he had had a long and
eventful career. He had his ups and downs in business as well as sorrows
and joys in everyday life but met them all with due consideration. His
earlier years were spent in farming and stock dealing. Later he secured
government contracts and for two or three years during the war of the
rebellion was with the Fifth Army Corps in that capacity. Afterwards he
engaged in the manufacturing business and was the proprietor of a paper mill
but just preceding his removal to Iowa was in the lumber and hardware
business at Williamsport, Penn. Since coming to Iowa, farming has been his
occupation.

* * * * * * * * * *

He represented Lucas and Clarke Counties in the Senate during the 16th and
17th general assemblies, being elected as a republican, defeating the Hon. S
H. MALLORY. He served his constituents faithfully and well in that capacity
and gained more than a passing reputation in dealing with certain public
matters. He was one of the committee appointed to examine into certain
irregularities in the Ft. Madison Penitentiary, known as "the Craig Steals."
Senator BESTOW's part of the report was scathing and was the means of saving
the State many thousands of dollars, even though Craig's whinings for
clemency, through the partisan prejudices of the times, shielded him from
adequate punishment, but not by consent of MR. BESTOW, however.

Later MR. BESTOW affiliated with the democrats owing largely to their stand
on the tariff and other national questions and has been in the party
councils ever since. He made the race for Lieutenant Governor on the ticket
with Horace Boles, the latter being elected, but, as the Sioux City Journal
said "Mr. Bestow fell just outside the breastworks," but the second time he
was more successful and not only Gov. Boles was re-elected but MR. BESTOW
and the entire democratic ticket. He presided over the deliberations of the
Senate of the 24th General Assembly with unassuming dignity and retired with
a statewide respect not confined to party lines. Those were memorable days
in Iowa politics and are held as proud epochs -- especially by the party
whose representatives they were, for it is a fortunate to any State to have
its political lists headed by men of the Boles and BESTOW quality. They
were both orators, of wide experience, fine appearance, brilliant, honest
and courageous, and the stump was made a forum of eloquence by their
presence and the State richer through their services.

* * * * * * * * * *

Senator BESTOW became prey to an asthmatic trouble last May which held on
with more or less severity until August. In October he was taken with
rheumatism, which increased with intensity as time went by, until a few days
prior to his death, pneumonia set in. He came up town on election day to
vote, but it was with great effort and pain. This was the last time that he
got away from his home. He never lost his interest in local or public
matters and was rational to the very close of life. The last public address
he made was at the Banker's Banquet in Chariton more than a year ago and
while his ideas seemed as clear as of yore it was noticed he had much
difficulty in his expression of thought. He presided at the meeting of the
Hon. Claude Porter, candidate for governor, held in Chariton last fall, but
did not attempt a speech further than the introduction and a few timely
remarks. Thus it is truly said, "The silver cord has been loosened, dust
has returned to earth as it was and the spirit to the God who gave it."

* * * * * * * * * *

Many columns could be written concerning MR. BESTOW's private and public
career, of interest to the reader, but we must forego this pleasure, and
touch on but a few. It is a matter of fact not generally known that he
could have been, in all probability, Governor of Iowa, instead of Horace
Boles, had he but spoken the word. At the time of the first nomination of
Horace Boles, W.E. Lewis, of this city, was a member of the State committee
and there was not a democrat in the commonwealth better posted on affairs or
wielded more influence than him. For some time they had been casting about
for a suitable candidate for governor and it seemed about an equal chance
between Boles and BESTOW but just preceding the convention, Mr. Lewis
discovered that the sentiment for BESTOW was much stronger than for any
other man. On the evening prior to the meeting of the convention Lewis
urged him to let his name go before the delegates for the first place and
would not break his pledge. And thus history was made.

* * * * * * * * * *

Like all business men MR. BESTOW had his successes and misfortunes. It was
while he was in the paper manufacturing business in his native State that he
met a great financial loss. He had, through his prosperity, erected what
was then considered a fire proof building and placed therein the finest of
equipment and machinery, costing many thousands of dollars. Thinking he was
secure in the quality of his structure he had inadequate insurance when a
destructive conflagration came and he saw the results of his years of energy
and industry melted into ruins.

* * * * * * * * * *

It is likely no person feels his death more keenly than MISS HELEN HETTINGER
who has been a member of the family fifty-two years. She was an orphan
without a home, in the old State, and came to live with the BESTOWs. During
all these years she has been one of the family and has ever regarded each
member with true devotion. MRS. HUVER speaks of her loyalty to those who
have passed to the great beyond and of the interest and care she has
unstintedly lavished upon the younger members while children in the old
homestead. MR. FRANK SMITH, a nephew has also been a member of the family
since 1882, coming here from Chicago, and he also realizes sadly that the
home is like a broken reed swayed in the adverse winds.
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