Edwin Loomis DeClercq (1895)

ANDREWS, ANDRUS, DECLERCQ

Posted By: Kent Transier (email)
Date: 12/18/2006 at 20:09:43

Winterset Madisonian
Tuesday, 11 Jun 1895
Page 3

A SUDDEN DEATH

Edward De Clereq, of Madison Township Found Dead in His Bed

Edward De Clereq, a well known resident of Madison township, living a short distance southwest of De Soto, was found dead in his bed last Saturday morning. His death was undoubtedly caused by heart trouble, to which it seems he was somewhat subject. Mr. De Clereq attended the republican primary of his township on Friday evening and retired that night in his usual health. He told his wife to call him early in the morning as he intended to go to Winterset on Saturday to attend the republican county convention. When she went to awaken him at about 5 o’clock he was dead.

The funeral service was held today. Mr. De Clereq was a prominent farmer and was highly esteemed in the community.
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Winterset Reporter
13 June 1895
Page 4

Edward Declereq was found dead in his bed on the morning if the 8th. He was in town on Friday and seemed in good health, and went from Earlham home and was at the Madison Center primary, was chosen one of the delegates to the county convention, went home about 10 o’clock and told his wife that if she woke early to call him. She got up, thinking that he was asleep, got breakfast and called him; he not answering she gave him a shake to wake him and found that he was dead. This removes another good man from our midst and one that will be greatly missed.
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Winterset Reporter
June 13, 1895
Page 5

A Sad Death

Last Friday after dark Mr. E. L. DeClereq, of Madison township, attended the Republican primary in his precinct and worked hard and enthusiastically for his favorite candidates. He went home about 10 o’clock, expecting to attend the county convention the next day. When he retired with his wife he evidenced no signs of sickness. In the night his wife discovered that he was cold, and upon examination, found her beloved husband stiff and cold in death. It was a terrible shock to her and a sad calamity to the whole community.

Mr. DeClercq was a man about 43 years old and had lived in Madison county for years. He was one of the most widely respected and highly appreciated citizens of that part of Madison county, always influential because strictly honorable; prosperous because sober-minded, industrious and brainy; loved because gentle, pleasant, philanthropic, kind-hearted and reliable in every particular; honored in all things because his motto was honesty and uprightness and his practice consistent and praiseworthy.

The REPORTER severely feels in his death the loss of one of its best friends. We have not the data at hand at this writing from which to give an extended biography, such as one as this noble man deserves. We are not even informed as to when or where the funeral was held, but understand that it was delayed until a daughter in the west could get home.

Mrs. DeClercq is a very estimable woman, and during the period she enjoyed the companionship of her beloved husband, she made the comfortable home he provided for her, happy, pleasant and attractive in every respect. Indeed was it a home such as poets sing about.

This cruel, sudden stroke, however, casts a dark shadow in the doorway, and brings sadness where once was happiness, peace and contentment. May the dark cloud have a silver lining for her, if such a thing is possible.

Peace forever to the ashes of this noble man!
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Winterset Reporter
June 20, 1895
Page 5

Obituary

Edwin Loomis DeClercq was born in Casenovia, Madison county, New York, May 1, 1850; died suddenly June 8, 1895, aged 45 years, 1 months and 8 days.

On the 26th day of December, 1870, he was married to Lydia Andrews, of De Ruyter. In October, 1872, they moved to Saginaw, Michigan, and from there to Iowa, where they finally settled in Madison county in 1873.

Three children were born to this union: Maud L., Edwin E., and Charles L., of whom Maud and Charles survive, to mourn the loss of a kind father, his wife, a loving husband, his mother, a dear son; an only sister and two brothers, the loss of a kind elder brother; and hosts of relatives and friends, who were not prepared for such a sudden departure, a kind friend and neighbor.
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Transcriber's note: Transcribed as published, name on gravestone is "Edwin L. DeClercq", maiden name of wife in "Andrus" rather than "Andrews".

Gravestone Photo
 

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