BACON, Charles H. 1839-1904

BACON, DAVIS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/26/2010 at 15:53:10

Charles H. Bacon, 1839-1904

The death messenger has been particularly active in our midst during the last few month, and it seem that there are but few homes in our community that have not been called to mourn either directly or indirectly.

On Sunday night, April 17th, the home of another of our esteemed citizens was visited and the husband and father was summoned by the all-conqueror.

Charles H. Bacon was born in Licthfield, N.Y., March 14, 1839, and hence had but recently entered upon the sixty-fifth year of his age. When he was but a child, his parents came to Wisconsin, where her grew to young manhood.

He returned with them to the east but after a few years came west again to Wisconsin, and later in 1866, to Newbury, Iowa, bringing with him his parents, where, with the exception of a little time spent in St. Ansgar, he resided until 1891, when he came to spend his remaining days in Osage.

About three years after coming to Iowa, his father died. During the ten remaining years of his mother's life he cared for her with an unusually tender devotion.

On November 17, 1870, he was united in marriage to Henrietta Davis, also of Newburg, who besides fulfilling the duties of a faithful wife, shared in the privilege of caring for his aged mother. Both his wife and two daughters still survive and were all permitted to be with him in his last illness, and to minister to his needs, as only tender hands inspired by loving hearts can minister.

Among other near relatives may be mentioned his only sister, Mrs. W. D. Hatch of Osage, and her three children, Mrs. S. W. Cook of Groton, South Dakota, Mrs. Charles Davis of Abilene, Kansas and Mrs. John Davis of Osage. Also Chester Titus, Mrs. Bacon's nephew, who since babyhood, has been a member of Mrs. Bacon's household and regarded with the affection of an only son.

To one who was so reserved and unassuming as Mr. Bacon, and withal so opposed to anything suggesting ostentation or show it would be inappropriate to speak many words. However to mention a few facts most of which are so generally known, may not be out of place. He was universally respected because of his genuine worth. "His word was as good as his bond".

No one can say that he ever took advantage in a bargain while may can testify to his generosity, helpfulness to those less favored than himself, and to his thoughtfulness. As in his neighborhood so in his public life, for he was called to serve on the city council, and on the city school board, he stood for the best things, for temperance, for strict honesty in the discharge of civic duty and for the maintenance of a high standard of uprightness and morality. But he found his chief delight with his family, in doing and planning for them. Deprived in his youth of advantages, he wanted his children to enjoy the best possible. For this he sold his farm and came to Osage, for this he toiled and sacrificed.

Genial, hospitable, delighting in children, he was often the life of a company, especially before his hearing began to fail.

The funeral service was held on Wednesday, April 20th, at the home in the presence of a large assemblage, conducted by Rev. D. I. Coon, and the body was laid to rest beside those of his parents in the cemetery at St. Ansgar.

[Mitchell Co. Press - April 28, 1904]

[Transcribed by Marilyn O'Connor, August 2005]