PURCELL, Samuel

PURCELL, CARY, ALLEN

Posted By: Marlene K. Skalberg (email)
Date: 6/19/2019 at 07:07:24

The silent messenger, death has once again entered our midst and took from us one of best and most influential members for which we all sincerely, along with his bereaved family mourn his loss.

Samuel Purcell, fifth child of Andrew and Ellen Purcell was born in Henderson County, Illinois on August 20, 1846 and died in Hasting, Iowa December 4, 1894. He came to with his parents to Iowa in 1856 and settled near Hastings near which place he lived ever since.

On December 26, 1863 he enlisted in Co. B. 26th Iowa Infantry and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Service on August 10, 1865. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Cary August 28th 1870. Four children blessed this union, Marion E., Flora B., Everett W., Clifford W., all of whom together with the bereaved wife and mother remain to mourn his loss.

Mr. Purcell was converted and joined the M.E. Church in the winter of 1881 through the labors of Rev. D. Pruit, since which time he ever continued to hold to an eternal hope by a living faith in Christ. Mr. Purcell was initiated into the order of Odd Fellows November 8, 1879 since which time he was an enthusiastic worker to the time of his death which occured after about 9 days of illness at 11:20 o'clock on December 4, 1894.

Mr. Purcell was a kind and indulgent father, a good neighbor and was highly respected by all who knew him. He was twice elected city mayor, and at the time of his demise he was serving his second term in that office. He also for several years was one of the city council, and had held offices in the M.E. Church of which he was a loved member. The sad rites was solemnized at the M.E. Church Wednesday at 2 p.m by Rev. H. C. Preston in the presence of one of the largest congregations ever met in Hastings. The church was entirely too small to accommodate the people, so many had to remain outside. The business men showed their appreciation of his worth by the presentation of a wheel of natural flowers with one spoke broken, one of their number gone. The Odd Fellows beautiful emblem, the three links of roses and smilax was among the floral offerings. After the service were conducted at the church, a procession was formed by the city officers followed by at least 100 Odd Fellows on foot, then the remains, the family, friends and citizens in carriages to the cemetery where the impressive ceremony of the Odd Fellows was conducted by D. D. G. M. Miller of Glenwood. The pall bearers were compiled of B. G. of the lodge, J. B. Hicks, W. E. Dimmitt, R. J. Smith, H. A. Russell, S. B. Hutchings and George Rose.
"Sorrow not even as others which have no hope."
Glenwood Opinion Tribune, December 13, 1894