Irwin Theophilus Anderson (1895)

ANDERSON

Posted By: Cay Merryman (email)
Date: 7/22/2004 at 17:01:36

Newspaper Unknown
January 1895

DEATH'S DECREE
The Dark-Winged Reaper on His Weary Round,
"O Why Should The Spirit of Mortal be Proud"

I. T. Anderson Dead

"The battle of our life is brief, The alarm - the struggle - the relief. Then sleep we sleep we side by side" One of the saddest death's the 'Reporter' has ever been called upon to record is that of I. T. Anderson, which occurred at his home in Ohio township last Sunday morning.

As stated last week, he was stricken with mental aberration the 19th, and from that day until relieved by death he sufferedfrom a very serious mental and nervous derangement, which resulted in softening of the brain.

At about 4 o'clock Sunday morning the watchers noticed that Irwin was sleeping quite peacefully. One of them went to the bed side and while there noticed that his eyes were glassy, and remarked, "yes, he is sleeping nicely, but it is the long sleep". And in a moment more the spirit of I. T. Anderson had taken its flight. Without a struggle, that beautiful, quiet Sabbath morning, he solved the great mystery of life and death and went to his reward.

Deceased was born upon the homestead where he died, April 29, 1866, and was the only son in a family of seven children. His father, Capt. Wm. Anderson, was killed by a runaway team in 1875. The rest of the family are all living, four of the children being married. Mrs. Anderson is still a widow, and has lived with Irwin ever since the death of her husband.

Irwin was an upright, Christian citizen in every respect, and his home was a temple in which love reigned supreme. He had been married but three years, and was the father of two beautiful children. At time of death he was superintendent of the Ohio Baptist Sunday school, of which church he was a member. As husband, father, brother, neighbor, friend, none knew him but to love him..........That he possessed business ability and enjoyed the confidence of his fellow men is evidenced by the fact that he was elected as assessor of Ohio township last fall.

The funeral was held Tuesday in the church where he worshippped, and despite the cold the building was crowded to its utmost capacity, friends from far and near being present to look once more upon the face of one they loved. The sermon by Rev. Stitt, and singing by J. W. Smith and daughter, were impressive, and the cries and sobs of the little fatherless two year old son, as he would say, "I want to see my papa!" were heart rending. The remains were interred at New Virginia beside those of his father.

It is a sad picture. Young, vigorous, promising, hopeful - full of ambition - devoted to home and wife and children - friends on every hand - prosperity's smile upon the cheek - the whole world as bright and peaceful as the morning sun in June - planning for life, yet prepared for heaven. Then a ripple in the wave - a "fast fleeting cloud" - the craft sinks out of sight - the sun smiles again in kisses on the sea - all is still - the voice that spoke is silent - the golden cord is severed - the flowers bloom and the robins sing over another silent home - the white marble keeps silent watch by day and night - the busy old world moves on in sun and shade as before. He is dead. Sweet be his sleep, and glorious his resurection.
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Winterset Madisonian, Friday, 01 Feb 1895, page 2

The Madisonian is pained to learn of the sudden death of Mr. I. T. Anderson, of Ohio township. An unusually bright young man, having the esteem and confidence of his whole community, favored with brilliant prospects for the future, he was cut down in the morning of life. On the 19th ult he was seized with a mental derangement, accompanied by rapid physical prostration, and on the 27th the end came.

Note: Buried at the New Virginia Cemetery

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Winterset Madisonian, Friday, 01 Feb 1895, page 3

Irwin T. Anderson became sick on the 19th and died on the 27th inst. Mr. Anderson was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was the only son of Wm. Anderson, known to many Madison county old settlers, who was killed by a runaway team about twenty years ago.