Whitney, Richard

WHITNEY, PADEN, PAGE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 7/13/2012 at 11:51:20

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Oct. 8, 1907

RICHARD WHITNEY

A long and honorable life of more than eighty-four years ended when Richard Whitney died on the 28th of Sept. at the home of his son-in-law, Mr. C.S. Paden, near this city.

Mr. Whitney's parents were born in New England and he was a native of Vermont, where he lived fifteen years. In 1838 he accompanied his parents to that center of New England influence in the then opening west at Pittsfield, Ohio. That was only five years after the first house had been erected in the virgin forest of that region. Work, hard work and plenty of it, was the lot of such pioneers, and Mr. Whitney played his part bravely and well. There he married Miss Mary C. Page, in 1857, and five years later removed from there to Grinnell.

The early years of his forty-five spent in this vicinity were occupied in the livery business, but he soon retired from the town to his farm, where he resided most of the time until his death. His wife died in 1900 and only two of his four children, Mrs. Mary E. Paden, with whom he found a pleasant home in his later years, and George A. Whitney of California, survive him. A grandchild in Elyria, Ohio, and one here also survive him. Of his father's family only one brother, a resident of Florida, still lives.

Always diligent and honorable in business he maintained the reputation of an honored ancestry. He found good friends and neighbors everywhere, a devoted wife and loving children, by deserving all the affection he received.

When health declined he sought to renew it among old friends in Ohio and with his son in California, but the years grew heavier. A few weeks of confinement to the house, pain at times so severe that he chose to die. He rose Saturday morning but in the evening he fell asleep. Love and respect follow him for a good man has gone to his rest.

We wish to thank the neighbors and friends for all who took part and assisted in our time of sorrow.
Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Paden.
Mr. G.A. Whitney.