Alexander Thompson Elder 1826 - 1901

ELDER, HILL, COYNER, LONGFELLOW, BROWN

Posted By: Phyllis Hazen (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 20:55:34

The Muscatine Journal
Friday, 3 January 1902, page 6

Obituary – Elder.

Alexander Thompson Elder was born Aug. 26, 1826, near Plainsville, Indiana county, Pa., and died at Mercy hospital, Iowa City, Ia., Sunday, Dec. 29, 1901, aged 75 years, 4 months and 3 days.
Mr. Elder was one of the oldest citizens in our county, having come to Muscatine county in 1854. For years he had been afflicted with an incurable complaint. Some time ago he decided to go to the hospital for treatment, and left on Thanksgiving day for Iowa City in the hope that he might be restored to health, but in this he was doomed to disappointment, and while all was done that could be he gradually grew worse until death came to his relief Sunday evening about 4 o’clock.
Over 47years of his life have been spent in the county, the country was truly “western” at that time. Since then he has had the privilege of seeing the wonderful development of the country, and the entire growth of Nichols. During his early residence in the county he lived at Adams, then for a few years south of Nichols, and a year ago he moved to Nichols, where he has since resided. He was well known and will be missed by many. In early life, when 18 years of age, he was converted and joined the M. E. church and has always been a faithful worker in the service of the Lord. He was married to Anna J. Hill, Jan. 3, 1850. He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife, three daughters and two sons, Mrs. Emma J. Coyner, of Nichols; Mrs. Mary J. Longfellow, of Plattsville, Ia.; Mrs. Luella Brown, Freeman Elder and John Elder, of Nichols, Ia.; twenty grandsons, eight granddaughters, and two great grandchildren. He was always a kind and loving husband, and affectionate father and a devoted Christian.
The funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1901, at the M. E. church in Nichols, conducted by Rev. C. L. Stafford, D. D., of Muscatine, and old friend, assisted by his pastor, Rev. H. C. Millice. The text was Cor. 15: 56-57. The remains were laid to rest in the Nichols cemetery, the pall bearers being six of his grandsons – Mark, Harry, Clayton and Edwin Coyner, and Frank and Fred Elder. The widow, who for nearly fifty-three years (Jan. 3 being their marriage anniversary) bore the burden of life with him, and the large family have the sympathy of all.