FAY, George Milton 1838--1917

FAY, ATKINSON, MOSS

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 3/22/2006 at 10:00:49

Obituary-Fay

George Milton Fay, oldest son of Oliver and Deborah Fay, was born in Walpole, New Hampshire,
April 8, 1838, and died at his home in Osage, Iowa, July 1, 1917, having reached the age of 73
years, 2 months and 23 days.

When he was 18 years of age, the family came west to Stoughton, Wis., settling on a farm near that place. During the winter months he engaged in teaching, assisting his father on the farm in the summer. For a time he attended Albion Academy at Albion, Wis.

In May 1861, he enlisted in Co. K. 1st. Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, to serve three months, receiving an honorable discharge at the expiration of his term of enlistment. Later he became engaged in the life insurance business at Freeport, Ill. On July 7, 1864, he was united in marriage to Louis V. Atkinson, of Stoughton, Wis., who now mourns his loss. Of the four children born to them, two daughters survive, Lulu S. Fay, of this city and Mrs. William C. Moss, of Minneapolis. The only son, Elmer met death by drowning in 1885 and a daughter died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Fay made their home in Freeport, Illinois, for several years, removing to Omaha, Nebraska in 1868.

They resided there until 1875, when they came to Osage, which has since been their home. Here Mr. Fay engaged in farming for several years, later entering the store of L. F. Winnek as a salesman, and still later he became associated with his brothers, Edwin and Charles, who were conducting a lumber business under the firm name of Fay Brothers, and so continued for nearly thirty years.

After the death of Charles Fay, he and his brother, Edwin, carried on the business until about four years ago, when failing health compelled them to retire. Soon thereafter his eyesight commenced to fail, and the almost
total blindness, which gradually resulted, together with other bodily infirmities, confined him to his home much of the time during the last years of his life. These infirmities were borne with remarkable patience and fortitude.

The sudden death of his brother, Edwin, nearly a year ago, the only other surviving member of his
father’s family, was a shock from which he never fully recovered.

Mr. Fay was essentially a home man, one who loved his home and found his greatest pleasure there; a kind and considerate husband and father, quiet, unassuming and upright in all his dealings with his fellowmen.

The funeral services were conducted at the home last Thursday by Rev. H.O. Allen of Sheldon, Interment was in Osage cemetery.

[Mitchell County Press, July 11, 1917]