WARREN, Isaac M. (1833-1903)

WARREN, STRANATHAN, MEADOWS

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 5/19/2016 at 14:22:25

Glenwood Opinion
Sept. 10, 1903

A PIONEER PASSED AWAY
Funeral Services of Isaac Warren Held Last Sunday at West Liberty Church

Isaac Monroe Warren was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, Aug. 10, 1833. When but a child he suffered the loss of his father. His youth was spent in Johnson and Saline counties. In his twentieth year - May 5, 1853, he came with his mother and step-father, Isaac Meadows, to Mills county.

Dec. 6, 1880 he was married to Julia A. Stranathan and to them were born eight children. The five now living - Flora, Rollin, Stanton, Wilbur and Clyde, were with him at the last. Of the three who are gone before him, Ida and Isaac died during his absence in the war. Johnie died December, 1880.

August 16, 1862 he enlisted in Co. B., 29th Iowa Infantry. He was promoted until he reached the rank of first lieutenant. The captain being absent he commanded his company for a large part of his three years of service. Aug. 10, 1865, he was mustered out at New Orleans.

He loved peace more than war and when the South was subdued, came home and went quietly to work. His life since then has been one of plain living, of the kind that builds physical, mental and moral fiber. His clean life made him a strong man at three score and ten. He loved life but when he knew that his work was done he said, "It is all right, I have no fear."

On Sept. 4, 1903, he passed quietly to the Faithful Guide who has led him for nearly fifty years. During all these years he has been a working member of the Methodist church. This which we lay to rest today was but the earthly temple which so faithfully did the bidding of his spirit. This husband, father and neighbor who has passed in and out among us for seventy years lives now as a part of the life of each one who knew him.

What does his life stand for? In business was there a man who knew him and doubted his word? As a citizen he kept the laws because he knew the value of that for which he fought for three years. He stood for education. His labor was for the purpose of giving his children opportunities which were not possible in his own youth. His life stands for Christian living. Deeper than we know was his joy when all the members of his own family had given their lives to his Savior.

He stood for home life. Few things besides the pleasure of meeting his old comrades of '60 could draw him from the quiet of his own home. His dear ones will, for years, reap the benefit of his judgement made wise by love. His work is not over - it has but just begun.

It rests with each of us who knew him and into whose lives his own is woven to see that clean, honest, Christian manhood is the birthright of all men. Hovering over us as we do his work, is the benediction of our loved one.

The foregoing sketch written by Mr. Warren's youngest son touches and lays bare the very springs of the life of I.M. Warren and makes plain to us why that great assemblage gathered at West Liberty church on Sunday afternoon. It was a sincere and splendid tribute to a worthy life.

There was nothing about the passing away of Isaac Monroe Warren to excite curiosity or arouse sensationalism. He had lived to the fullness of years, the three score and ten. Had completed his labors as nearly as a man can complete them and his final illness had been of sufficient duration as to inform the neighbors and friends of its certain fatality and to prepare them for the announcement of his death. There was therefore nothing about his death or funeral to arouse the curious or sentimental. These were not present. The vast assemblage was made up of men and women who had known this man well and who held him in profound esteem and they were present to witness the last rites because they wanted to show their respect. There was little that was sad about the occasion except the thought of loneliness that must fall upon the family and most heartily upon the sweetheart of his youth and the well beloved of his riper years. There was rather a note of victory in the occasion. He had lived a triumphant life and he died as only such may die, triumphantly.

Isaac Monroe Warren was neither a brilliant man nor a great man as brilliancy and greatness are generally understood but he was always wise enough to understand and was always brave enough to meet the highest duties of life. Neither brilliancy of intellect nor social prestige can equal in the world's need what he possessed - certainty of integrity and cleanness of manhood. He had, moreover, by industry and economy amassed a competence, and to the full enjoyment of this he had full right because he met the full definition of a servant of God - he was both diligent in business and upright in heart.

He was devoted to his home and hence a true patriot. Senator Hoar once said that he who loved his home best, loved his state best and his country best. It was highly fitting that his old comrades who had stood with him on many a bloody field in the war for liberty and the preservation of the union and who had stood ready there if need be to give him a soldier's burial should carry him to his final resting place. It was highly fitting also that the final words should be said in the old church which he had helped to build, whence many a prayer of his had ascended, and that they should be spoken by a Methodist, a denomination in which he had been a pillar of rugged strength for a full half century.

There is nothing strange about the respect in which he was held or the influence he wielded. His life was dominated by the three cardinal virtues of the highest citizenship - fidelity, patriotism and faith in God. On such lives must ever rest the peace and security of the community and the state.

The funeral services at West Liberty last Sunday afternoon were conducted by Rev. Shaw of the M.E. church, in the presence of friends from all over Mills county, who had known Mr. Warren for so many years. The remains were laid to rest in the beautiful West Liberty cemetery, the procession following from the church to the cemetery numbering between sixty and seventy carriages.

The sickness which resulted in the death of Mr. Warren was of short duration. In June he first felt the disease coming on, but not until the 25th of August was Dr. Davis, of Omaha, called in consultation with Dr. DeWitt and they pronounced the disease as cancer. Mr. Warren then knew death was not far off and he was prepared to meet the end.

On the 10th of August the family had a reunion. At this time he made an allotment of his property between the children and his wife.

The pall bearers were Jno. Suits, A.J. Chantry, J.H. Cattron, Geo. A. Davies, D.C. Jackson and M.T. Deupree, all intimate friends and comrades of the deceased.