Rew, Madison 1837-1933

REW, ELDRED, WOOLEY, BIXBY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/6/2012 at 14:38:05

Obituary dated Apr 1933

MADISON REW IS BURIED HERE
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Former Wellknown Resident of Grinnell Passed Away March 14 in Nashville, Tenn.
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Old time residents of Grinnell mourn the passing of Madison Rew, who for many years took an active and helpful part in the affairs of this community.

Mr. Rew died in Nashville, Tenn., where since 1927 he has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Laura Rew Bixby, well remembered here as a talented violinist and for several years teacher of violin in the Grinnell School of Music. Her husband is now head of the charities in Nashville. The body was brought to Grinnell for the funeral services which were held Monday afternoon in Snyder Brothers' chapel, conducted by Mr. Rew's old time friend, Rev. E.M. Vittum, who was active as pastor of the Congregational church during the years of Mr. Rew's residence in Grinnell.

Pall bearers were Professor D.F. Grass, Chas. Hanson, C.A. Blair, Professor E.B.T. Spencer, C.A. Miller and Hon. Ralph Sherman.

Burial was in Hazelwood.

Mrs. Bixby was unable to attend the funeral and the body was accompanied to Grinnell by Mr. Rew's son, Morse W. Rew, who is Superintendent of Transportation for the Cleveland Railway Co. of Cleveland, Ohio.

Mrs. Laura Denton Smith of Highland Park, Ill., a college graduate here in 1909, who lived in the Rew home during her student days, also came to attend the funeral.

Madison Rew was born in Friendship, Alleghany county, New York, Dec. 25, 1837. His boyhood was spent on a farm at the place of his birth. In his late teens he removed to Carlinville, Ill., where he engaged in farming until 1865, when he went to Wayne county, Iowa. There he took up a homestead which remained in his possession until his death, March 14, 1933. In 1885 he retired from active farming and moved to Grinnell in order that his children might enjoy the advantages of a college education.

Since 1910 he has made his home in several cities, either with his son, Morse W. Rew, or with his daughter, Laura R. Bixby, with whom he came to Nashville in 1927.

His first marriage was to Martha W. Eldred, Nov. 6, 1862, at Carrollton, Ill. She passed away Nov. 3, 1876. He was married again to Ellen O. Wooley of Greenfield, Ill., May 22, 1878. The second wife died Dec.29, 1918. He is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Bixby, and his son, Morse.

Mr. Rew was active and interested in many worthy objects during his residence in Grinnell. He was a charter member and at the time of his death was the oldest member of the Fortnightly club, and always took an active part in the deliberations of that organization of choice spirits. He was a man of active mind, a great reader and a ready writer. He was especially interested in the cause of temperance and many of his writings on that and other subjects have appeared in The Herald. While he has been away from Grinnell for many years he is well remembered by the people who knew him during his years of residence here.

It is of interest to note that Mr. Rew was born on Christmas Day and answered the call of death on Good Friday.