WILLING, John H. 1844-1895

WILLING, KUHL

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/5/2010 at 00:04:42

John H. Willing died on February 14, 1895.

Hearts are stirred to depths of profound sorrow as we record the death of one of our number. So well known in our midst. John H. Willing was born at Kingsbridge, Devenshire, England, January 1, 1844, the loss occasioned by the early death of his mother was supplied by the prudence and attention of his grandparents. But little is known of his youth, only that he was adroit, lively and agile in the extreme. At this time he became a member of the Episcopalian Church and would have identified himself with that body had it been his lot to be where they had a church.

He lived with his grandparents learning the miller's trade, until 1864 when he emigrated to Buffalo, N.Y. After a short stay he went to Rochester, same state, but not finding things according to his mind, he started for Joliet, Illinois, where he lived until 1870, after which he removed to St. Ansgar, Iowa.

Two years later he was married to Amelia Kuhl at Mitchell. The marriage bond was blessed with four children, the two oldest, a boy and a girl dying when quite young.

In 1875 he became partner with Mr. A. N. Nye of the Northwood Roller Mill, and so remained until the first named gentleman died, when he bought out his interest.

A serious and pronounced illness that befell him over sixteen years ago impaired his hitherto robust health, and since then although equal to looking after and overseeing his business, he was unable to undertake manual labor as formerly.

There are but very few men who could have borne with such fortitude and patience as the suffering he endured. He left repining and murmuring alone, and with patience and contentment resigned himself to an all wise and gracious God.

On Saturday the 17th his mortal remains were laid to rest in the family burying ground. After religious services had been conducted at the Baptist Church by Reverend M. G. Johnson of Montevideo, Minnesota, assisted by Reverend A. K. Lewis, a very large procession, headed by the Masonic Order, marched slowly to the cemetery. It was indeed a model funeral, no pomp or display, the glory of the mortal life beyond breaking through the sombre shadow of death.

After the coffin had been deposited where it shall lie in the dust until the Lord shall come and "death shall be swallowed up in victory," the Masonic Order's burial ritual was read touchingly and tenderly. Our brother has gone, but his memory lives.

[Worth County Index, Thursday, February 21, 1895]