Brunskill, Samuel 1826-1906

BRUNSKILL, PHILLIPS, HITCHENS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/8/2009 at 21:06:56

LeMars Sentinel
April 17, 1906

SAMUEL BRUNSKILL DEAD
Pioneer Resident of LeMars Died at His Home in This City on Friday Evening

Samuel Brunskill, one of the oldest residents and well known citizen of
LeMars, passed away at his home on Seventh street on Friday evening, after
an illness of several weeks, of Bright’s disease. Mr. Brunskill had been
sick for the past few weeks but last week was apparently somewhat better and
had been up and out a little and on Friday morning was up and around the
house.

During the day he felt somewhat worse and took to his bed, passing
peacefully awas as the daylight faded into dusk. He realized his end was
near and his only expressed regret was in parting from his faithful and
loving wife, as he declared himself confident of entering a better and
brighter existence.

Samuel Brunskill had attained within a few months the allotted time of man’s
duration on earth. He was born in Swalesdale, Yorkshire, England, on October
31, 1826, and when a mere youth set sail to the golden shores of America to
carve out a future. When a young man he located near Dubuque and for many
years was engaged in the cattle and stock buying. In 1872 he came to LeMars
and followed the same business and also conducted a meat market and bought
land. About twenty-five or thirty years ago, he retired from active buisness
life and contented himself with looking after his land interests and
investments. He was united in marriage in 1861 at Elk Grove, Wis., with Miss
Elizabeth Phillips. To them one daughter was born, now Mrs. G.W. Hitchens,
of Plainview, Nebr.

Mr. Brunskill, early in life, affiliated with the Methodist church and was
a faithful attendant and supporter of the church in LeMars.

Mr. Brunskill was an upright citizen who attended strictly to his own
business, and was tolerant of the rights and opinions of his neighbors. He
was a loving and indulgent husband and father. Just and honorable in his
dealings with his fellow men, conservative and reserved in his judgment.

He was one of the pioneers who with a stout heart and bare hands made a
living which grew to a competency and later to wealth.

He was a member of Giblem Lodge A.F. & A.M., having been a Mason for forty
years and the funeral yesterday was conducted under the auspices of that
fraternity. Rev. C.W. Pratt preached the funeral service at the Methodist
church, the Masons conducting the services at the grave. The pallbearers
were : P.F. Dalton, I.S. Struble, J.B. Perkins, Thos. Treat, Thos. Adamson
of LeMars, and W.J. Lawrence, of Merrill.

The deceased was an uncle of Geo. Brunskill of this city, and Simon
Brunskill, of Hawarden.