Joseph Hughes Mack, MD (1908)
BONHAM, FARNSWORTH, HERREN, HIXSON, MACK, TOWNSEND
Posted By: Mary Welty Hart
Date: 1/11/2007 at 11:06:29
The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, March 26, 1908Death of Dr. J. H. Mack
Another of the pioneers of Madison county passed away Monday. Dr. J. H. Mack, of Macksburg, died at his home Monday afternoon at 1:30 after an illness of several weeks. The doctor has been in poor health and has many times been in a precarious condition but had successfully combated the ravages of disease until Monday when he passed away surrounded by his family and friends.
J. H. Mack was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1837, and after residence in Indiana and Illinois, came to Madison county in 1857, locating in Grand River township. He was a successful physician during the early days but has not practiced for many years. He was a member of the 47th Iowa infantry during the civil war. He was a large land owner and a successful businessman and founded the town which bears his name. He has ever worked for the up-building of his locality, especially have his efforts been directed towards securing railroad connections with the outside world, and just now, when the prospects for a railroad are brighter than they have ever been he is not permitted to enjoy the fruits of victory. He was a director of the Des Moines, Winterset & Creston Electric railroad and was one of its most active and efficient promoters.
He was a man of the highest character; loved, trusted and looked up to by all who knew him. He had much to do with the building up of the prosperous community in which he cast his lot and spent his matured life. His friends and neighbors will deeply mourn his taking away, and genuine sorrow prevails throughout the entire county. He leaves a wife and four daughters to survive him, all of whom were with him in his last hours.
_______________________The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, March 26, 1908DEATH OF DR. J. H. MACK
An Old Pioneer And Honored Citizen of Madison County Passes Away. Was Fifty Years a Resident And the Founder of the Town That Bears His Name.
Dr. J. H. Mack passed away at his home in Macksburg, Iowa, at 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 16, 1908, after two weeks of intense suffering. This announcement will bring deep sorrow to a wide circle of friends, for Dr. Mack was known, not only in Madison county, but all over Iowa and in many other states of the Union.
Dr. Mack was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, Oct. 18, 1837. He came to Iowa in June of 1858, was united in marriage to Miss Hannah J. Bonham, Aug. 22, 1858, since which time they have continuously resided in Madison county.
His parents being poor he started out alone to battle with the world when ten years of age, without any endowment of this world's goods but imbued with unlimited energy, ambition and determination to succeed. He was strictly a self made man. He chose the medical profession as his life's work, and unless utterly impossible to do so, he never failed or faltered to respond to the calls for service from his fellowmen.
He was always a staunch republican and in the early part of 1864 responded to the call of his country which he so dearly loved, by enlisting in the Civil War, was appointed hospital steward of the 47th Iowa Infantry Volunteers and served until the regiment was mustered out.
After returning home he continued his profession until failing health compelled him to abandon active work in that line. In 1873 he founded the town of Macksburg and has always been a leading character in the upbuilding and uplifting of the town and community. It was through his unceasing efforts for many months and liberal financial aid that both the Baptist and Methodist churches were built and also the Macksburg high school building. He was always uncompromisingly opposed to the liquor traffic and an ardent, unceasing worker for prohibition. During his absence from home for a few days at one time, a saloon was started in Macksburg. Immediately upon his return he took steps to rid the town of this demon and through his skill and unequalled tact, the first, last and only saloon ever located in Macksburg was completely annihilated in less than thirty-six hours after its origin, with no loss to the owner.
He was a member of the House of Representatives from Madison county in the 22d and 23d General Assembly where he served with credit to himself and honor to his constituents.
He was vice president of the Macksburg National bank from its organization until his death. Since founding the town of Macksburg, he has done all within his power to procure railroad facilities for the town which bears his name. He was vice-president of the Des Moines, Winterset and Creston Electric Railway Co., from the organization of the company until his death and if this enterprise is ever consummated it will have been largely due to his untiring efforts and business zeal.
During his late illness his mentality was clear and keen to the very last moment. He gave instructions for the consummation of many items of business and directions in detail for his funeral services and burial. He was converted in 1854, when seventeen years of age, was baptized with his wife in the spring of 1859, both uniting with the Baptist church of Macksburg. A few years later they united with the M. E. church of which he remained a member until his death.
The funeral services were conducted Wednesday, March 18th by the pastor, Rev. J. N. Hosier, in the M. E. church at Macksburg, which was entirely inadequate to accommodate the large and appreciative audience, who coming from far and near showed the high esteem in which they held the departed. (Following was an extensive eulogy of his religious and character traits)
He leaves a wife and four daughters, Mrs. M. K. Farnsworth, of Wichita, Kans., Mrs. F. C. Herren, of Macksburg, Iowa, Mrs. L. H. Hixson and Mrs. E. L. Townsend, both of Des Moines, Iowa, and their husbands, also two brothers, two sisters, and a number of grandchildren who will ever mourn their irreparable loss and a number of relatives and a host of friends who will greatly miss him.
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