Franklin G. Oliver 1835- 1898

OLIVER, CONNER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/22/2016 at 23:19:51

Monona County Gazette
21 April 1898

Sunday morning word was received that F.G. Oliver was dead. It was no surprise as he had been sick with Bright disease for more than a year. Mr. Oliver was a man of sterling integrity; his word was as good in a business transaction as his bond.

He was generous to a fault kind and affectionate to his family. He was respected by his neighbors and held in high esteem by his friends.

Franklin G. Oliver was a prominent citizen and is one of the leading farmers in Franklin Township. He came to this county with his parents in July, 1857 and for a few months made their home in the old court house in Ashton. In September they moved to Onawa, and he and his father being carpenters, assisted in building the first houses here. July 1861, they moved to the home farm of which they bought a part that year and have since added to it until now they can count the acres over a thousand.

F.G. Oliver was born in Franklin County, Maine, February 19, 1835. He was married November 29, 1865, at Elgin, Illinois to Miss Esther Conner. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver were the parents of fourteen children, nine whom are living. In politics Mr. Oliver was a staunch republican and held several local township officers during his life. Being always thoughtful for the welfare of his family he divided his property, giving to his wife the home place, to each of his boys 100 acres and to the girls 80 acres each.

The funeral services were held at the home Monday morning at ten o’clock. Rev. McNamara officiated. The remains were laid to rest in the Onawa cemetery by the side of the loved ones gone before. The families have been sadly afflicted the last eight months, a grandchild and Mr. Oliver’s aged father and mother and now his death makes four. But such is the life; it is as a day compared with the eternal years in the life to come. The sorrows and joys of this world are but a momentary fitting of pain and pleasure to the happiness and infinite rest in the home everlasting above the clouds.

The sympathy of the community goes out to the bereaved ones for whose sorrow words are a failure to express.