Cass, Lewis 1832-1907

CASS, KIRBY, GOODRICH, KNAUSS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/19/2012 at 07:52:35

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Aug. 16, 1907

LEWIS CASS

It was only a few days ago that the HERALD announced the burial of Mrs. Lewis Cass in Hazelwood. Last Wednesday the body of her husband was laid by her side.

He was born May 5, 1832, in Alexandria, N.H., where men are industrious, economical and thrifty by inheritance and from choice. All his best qualities received a constant impulse from his wife with whom he lived fifty-three years. They came to this vicinity in 1870, and, after spending some years on a farm, removed to the city, where he became a director in two banks (and he was one of the fairst and best they ever had), and the president of one of them. He also served the Congregational Society several terms as their trustee.

His business acts and methods were so transparently fair that neither slander nor suspicion ever uttered a word against him, although the frankness with which he sometimes uttered his thoughts might seem to give an opportunity if any one had desired to criticise. The hand of Mrs. Cass bore many a favor to persons here and far away, and the sympathy and the purse of Mr. Cass were behind and beneath them all. Persons admitted into membership in their family never cease to be grateful for the privilege, and there were several of them.

They buried here their eldest daughter, who came with them from New England, and also the little son born after their arrival. To the home of their youngest daughter, now Mrs. Wm. B. Kirby of Colorado Springs, he went after the burial of his wife. Strong and rugged as he was naturally it is not strange that the close of such a long and happy married life as his, a close union in which, after a paroxysm of pain, the dying wife could look up into his sad face and utter her last audible words, "I love you so"--it is not strange that such an end became a death blow to him. A few days of exhausting grief followed, disease became marked, complications set in, and his nephew, Mr. J.C. Goodrich, was sent for. His presence was a comfort, his service was all that could be desired, but no effort of physician or family could save the life.

Mr. Cass was willing, or more than willing, to go. A few hours before the end came he said to his daughter: "I am going to join your mother in Heaven soon. I know it will be hard for you, but bear up bravely." The wrestle with death was all over on Monday noon.

The funeral services were conducted by Prof. L.F. Parker at the late residence Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock. The order and participants were, as nearly as possible, those of the funeral of Mrs. Cass thirty eight days before.

Friends at the funeral from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. John Thompson from Newton, and Mr. and Mrs. Windle Knauss from Iowa City, the latter having been a member of the Cass family during several years.