Stoddard, Ira Joy (1820-1916)

ALLEN, WHITNEY, RYAN

Posted By: Al Hibbard (email)
Date: 10/24/2016 at 19:01:23

DR. IRA JOY STODDARD SUCCCUMBS

Was Early Missionary and Pioneer friend of Central College.

Word arrived in Pella Tuesday of the death on the morning of that day, November 14th, of Dr. I. J. Stoddard at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Bertha Whitney, 814 W. 4th Street, Plainfield, N J. His age at the time of his death was 96 years and two months. A letter from Mrs. Whitney Written November 13th tells of the illness of her father. She says, "He has been failing very fast this last summer and fall, having often severe spells of indigestion. He recovered rapidly until this last attack, when his heart was affected." This is all we know at this time concerning his last illness The body is being brought to Pella for burial and will arrive the latter part of the Week. Funeral services will be held at the Baptist church Sunday November 19. at 2.00 p. m. Interment will be at Oakwood cemetery beside the body of his wife who preceded him in death three and a half years.

Ira Joy Stoddard was born at Eden, Erie County, N. Y., not far from Buffalo, September 15, 1820. His father was a Baptist minister. Both his father and mother lived to an advanced age, his mother dying in 1886 at the age of 91 years. Mr. Stoddard grew to the age of 19 as a farmer boy, being at that age prepared for college by his father. He entered Colgate University and graduated in 1845. Two years later he graduated from the theological seminary of the same school and was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1847. The same year he married Miss Drusilla C. Allen, and they sailed for India as missionaries under appointment of the Baptist Missionary Union. The scene of their missionary labors was Nowgong, Assam, where they had charge of a school. Here they labored ten years, when failing health due to the climate of Assam, compelled them to return to America.

Coming back to New York, they found conditions there vere not conducive to the recovery of their health, and physicians advised them to go west. They came to Pella, where Mrs Stoddard became a teacher in the newly organized Central University, and good health returned to both of them. Dr. Stoddard offered himself for enlistment in 1861, but was rejected by the examining physician. He then took up the work of raising money for Central University, and his efforts resulted in placing it in a flourishing condition in 1866. Dr. and Mrs. Stoddard, the recovery of their health now being complete, then returned to Assam to what they considered their life work. This time they Went to the wild Garo tribes in southWest Assam, and their labors resulted in winning many of these wild people to the gospel. Again their health failed, and Mrs. Stoddard was able to stay only a few years. Dr Stoddard remained seven years, when he also returned to Pella.

They again took up their work at the college, Mrs. Stoddard as teacher and Dr. Stoddard as financial agent, and the unbroken existence of the school is due largely to their efforts and sacrifices. Dr. Stoddard gave much time and, for a man of his means, a large amount Of money to the school. He donated the ground on which the chapel building stands. In 1881 Dr and Mrs. Stoddard again wished to return to their work in India, but the Board did not accept them. They continued to reside in Pella until old age made necessary the care of younger hands. Dr. Stoddard is remembered by all who knew him as a man of the greatest integrity and the most honorable character. His voice and his example were ever on the side of right, and his record of good works is an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Twelve or thirteen years ago Dr. and Mrs. Stoddard left Pella to make their home with their daughter, Mrs. Bertha Whitney, in Plainfield, N. J. They spent their winters at the George Nugent Home in Germantown Pa., where Mrs Stoddard died June, 1, 1913 Mrs Stoddard visited Pella twice after leaving the old home, but Dr. Stoddard never returend.[sic] His mind continued clear and he enjoyed reading the Chronicle and hearing from Pella people and the church here where he continued his membership. On the occasion of his 95th birthday a little over a year ago, a great many of his friends here wrote him postal cards of congratulations which greatly cheered him and affected him deeply. His interest in Central College never waned, a letter received at the Chronicle office a few months ago from Mrs. Whitney telling of the interest he took in everything connected with it. Besides the daughter at whose home he died, Dr Stoddard is survived by one son, Ira J. Jr., of Pella and a daughter, Mrs. Ella Ryan of San Diego, California.

[Pella Chronicle, The (Pella, IA) 16 Nov 1916, p.1c3,4]