J. Root, Jr. 1829-1904

ROOT, KIDDER, SHAULL

Posted By: Cathy Joynt Labath (email)
Date: 3/18/2007 at 14:34:17

Emmetsburg Democrat; Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa; Wednesday, December 14, 1904

J. Root Jr. Passes Away

J. Root Jr. one of the best known residents in the south part of the county, died at the home of his son, Bruce Root, in Vernon township, Saturday, at one o'clock. He suffered intensely for about a year with cancer of the face and was in a most pitiable condition because of his illness. Nothing could be done for him. Under such circumstances he doubtless welcomed the summons so dreaded by most mortals. The funeral was held Monday. Services were conducted at the first Congregational Church of the city and were conducted by Reverend S. R. Beatty, pastor of the M. E. Church. The interment was an Evergreen Cemetery where rest the remains of his lamented companion, who died five years ago. There was a large procession.

The deceased was born near Buffalo, New York, in 1829. He received his education in his native state. He graduated from Lewiston academy at an early age. In 1851 he was married to Caroline Kidder. Four children were born to them. Two are living. They are Bruce Root of Vernon township, and Mrs. T. T. Shaull, of Clark, South Dakota. Mr. Root taught school in New York for a few years. In 1854 he and family moved to Williamsburg, Iowa. He continued in school work. He was principal of the Ladora schools for some time and later held the same position at Marengo. He served two terms as superintendent of Iowa county. In 1885 he became a resident of Palo Alto, settling in Vernon township, where he taught for several years. In all he spent over forty years in the school room. He also served several terms as justice of the peace in Vernon township. In 1892 he was nominated for county auditor against John Moncrief, but he was not elected. Five years ago Mrs. Root died at Montrose, South Dakota. Of late years Mr. Root made his home with his son in Vernon.

Mr. Root was a high minded, courteous Christian gentleman area at an early age he became a member of the Congregational church. He was loyal to its precepts. He devoted much time to this upbuilding of Sunday schools and did whatever he could to promulgate the principles in which he believed. He was also deeply interested in literary work. He was ever ready to aid the young people of his community in organizing and sustaining the debating and similar organizations. He was well posted and was a ready, careful, interesting talker. He was gifted with a sense of humor and was willing to give and take. His friends and acquaintances learned to have a high regard for him because of his ability, integrity and candor. He was an ardent republican. He was a close, watchful observer of public events and was generally prepared to give an intelligent opinion regarding the trend of social, political and business affairs. He was temperate and, morally, was in every way above reproach. Like most school people he did not become wealthy. He gave generously to the world the invaluable influence of his wisdom, the benefit of his zeal for the triumph of everything that he considered for the best, the example of his fidelity to the principles of justice and righteousness. The value of such a life can not be measured by methods that are characteristic chiefly of the worldly. The Democratic extends sincere sympathy to the sorrowing relatives.