PEACOCK, Joseph Henry 1874 – 1908

PEACOCK, BRUCE, SMITH, MARTIN

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/25/2013 at 07:51:09

Joseph Henry Peacock, eldest son of Wm. And Mary Peacock, was born April 14, 1874 at Iowa City, Iowa, and died at the home of E. W. McCulloch 5 miles northwest of Brooklyn on Thursday, October 15, 1908, age 34 years, 6 months and 1 day.

A brother, John, and the mother preceded him. There remains two brothers, Eber, of West Liberty, Iowa, and Emery recently removed to California; also three sisters, Mrs. Sarah Bruce of North Dakota, Mrs. O. F. Smith, of Des Moines and Mrs. Elizabeth Martin of California. Only two of these, Eber and Mrs. O. F. Smith could be present at the funeral services.

His home has always been in and near Brooklyn. Those who knew him best say he was one who could always be relied upon. He was industrious and faithful in the care of everything intrusted to him. Last February he commenced work for E. W. McCulloch. To him was intrusted the care of oiling the windmill as he said he was as much at home in the air as on the ground. It was not known that he intended ---- the mill that morning. He had his team ready for the field but being a little after eight o’clock that he had not gone yet they began to wonder why and to look about for him. He was soon found lying on the ground on the ladder side of the mille. Examination showed life was extinct and his neck was broken and a pool of blood had flowed from his ear. A new watch recently purchased had stopped at 21 minutes past 7 o’clock. It is supposed he must have climbed the mill to oil it as the oil can lay near, and in someway fell at the time indicated by the watch.

A few weeks previously he had cut a finger very badly and seven stitches were taken in it. He had been heard to remark that since that time his whole system seemed to be upset. His friends had noticed he was not well. This may have unsteadied his nerves and caused the fall.

In June 1908 he united with the Madison M. E. church, was baptized and received into full connection and gave evidence of a full acceptance of the Savior.

His death is a great shock to the entire community but falls most heavily upon his intended bride, Miss Hattie Dee, to whom he was to have been married on October 21, but his pastor Rev. A. W. McBlain who was to have performed the marriage ceremony was called to the sad duty of conducting the funeral services which were held in Brooklyn M.E. church, Saturday, October 17 and interment in Brooklyn cemetery. Rev. W. L. Clapp who had taken great interest in the spiritual welfare of the deceased assisted in the services.

Source: Unknown newspaper clipping found in scrapbook belonging to my great grandmother, Edith (Kann) Newton.