Garrett D. Palmer (1888)

PALMER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/8/2007 at 18:17:16

The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, February 22, 1888
Page 1, Column 3

OBITUARY

G. D. Palmer, the editor and Proprietor of this paper died at his home in this city, at 2 o’clock on Friday morning last, February 17.

Mr. Palmer was born in Broadalbain, Montgomery Co. N. Y. Oct. 1819.

He left the home of his boyhood and started in the world for himself when very young, when only 21 years of age he edited a paper in Toledo, Ohio. He remained there, however, but a short time and then turned his face westward.

He came into Iowa while it was yet a territory, and some two or three years before it became a state he began editing a newspaper called the Iowa Capitol Reporter at Iowa City, which paper he edited for a number of years. He was the first State Printer in the State, and printed the first Code of State laws of Iowa. He was also Auditor of Johnson county for three successive terms.

Mr. Palmer moved with his family to Winterset in 1875, having purchased the Winterset News, of which he remained editor and proprietor until his death.

In 1851 he was married to Alice H. Hazard at Iowa City, who, with two daughters, was permitted the sad pleasure of ministering at his bed-side during his last sickness. As an editor, public officer and active citizen, in various ways Mr. Palmer has been connected with the affairs of Iowa ever since it has been a state, and was very widely known; especially among the older class of Iowa’s prominent people, who will no doubt receive the sad news of his death with profound sorrow.

Here in Winterset where he was best known during the latter years of his life, and with all whose interests he has been identified for so many years, his removal cannot but be regarded by all as a great public loss. His consistent, upright life, his morally Christian character, his readiness ever to lend a helping hand to those that were in need, his genial disposition, and the generous hospitality of his have endeared him to a host of friends, and his departure has left a void in the social life of Winterset which cannot be filled.

Mr. Palmer united with the Church when thirty years of age, and was an earnest and devout follower of Christ all his after life. His religion was of the quiet unostentatious kind, yet none could come in contact with him very long without feeling that it was a reality with him, and that it was the governing principle of his daily life. He became connected with the Presbyterian church in this place in August 1875, and until the close of his life was one of its most faithful and consistent members. Always in his place on the Sabbath and at the week-day meetings when his health permitted, and always ready to do his share in all the work of the church.

When the end came, that Divine Master whom he served and in whom he trusted did not forsake him in the trying hour. His last sickness was long and painful, but he bore it all with wonderful fortitude and cheerfulness, looking hopefully and joyously forward to the “rest that remaineth” – and though his last hours were clouded by a partial unconsciousness, they were never overshadowed by a doubt or a fear, and at the end he gently fell asleep in Jesus.

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me write: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them”. R.
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Winterset Madisonian and Chronicle
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, February 23, 1888
Page 4

G. D. Palmer

G. D. Palmer, of this place, died at his late residence last Friday morning after a long and painful illness of several months.

Mr. Palmer was born in New York in 1819; he moved to Toledo, Ohio, in 1840 and there edited the Toledo Register for some years when he moved to Iowa City where he edited the Iowa Capitol Reporter. He was afterwards auditor of Johnson county for six years. He came to Madison county in 1875 and became editor and proprietor of the Winterset News in which business he continued up to the time of his death, although having sold the paper but a few weeks ago he still retained possession of it.

The deceased was much respected in the community. He was held in high regard by all who knew him, both as a business man and a citizen, and his demise is deeply deplored by all. Word had been sent to friends and relatives of the nearness of death, so at the last he was surrounded by many anxious and loving ones to administer to his every want.

The funeral occurred from the home at three o'clock Saturday afternoon and was very largely attended by sorrowing friends. They sympathy of all goes out to the bereaved family, and while their sorrow is great, they are greatly comforted in the thought that after all the separation is but temporary.
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Coordinator's note: First name taken from 1880 Madison County Census.

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