Curry, Leonard 1821-1907

CURRY, BRYANT, SKEELS, WILCOX, GORSUCH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/11/2018 at 21:12:18

June 29, 1821 ---- June 2, 1907

Leonard Curry was born June 29, 1821, in Green county, Ohio and died at his home near Browntown, Iowa, June 2, 1907, being nearly 86 years of age. His early life was spent on the farm in Ohio where he married Penelope Bryant, March 18, 1848. This wife of his youth walked by his side until death took her from him Dec. 4, 1905. To this union was born thirteen children namely: Thomas, who resides in Oskaloosa; Mildred Jane, who died in infancy; J. Austin, who came from Nebraska to attend the funeral; Mary Elizabeth Skeels, who died about two months after her mother; Nancy L., who died when 19 years of age; Martha E, who died in 1890; Laura Alice, the maiden daughter, who has tenderly cared for the father in his afflictions; Charles W., who lives near here; Ludica May Wilcox, who died three years after her sister Martha; Adelia, who died while young; Lyda Ann, (wife of Samuel Gorsuch) deceased in 1895, two years after her sister Dyca; David, who has four motherless little children, and John Franklyn, who lives near Montezuma, Iowa. The living ones were all present at the obsequies.

Mr Curry, after residing in Ohio until 1864, moved to Illinois and thence to Iowa in 1869 and lived near Forest Home until 21 years ago at which time he moved to Browntown where he has lived, been loved and respected by his friends and neighbors for more than a score of years.

Father Curry was of a strong impulsive nature. In his early married life while his oldest children were yet small, he said to his wife as they went to church on evening, "Penelope, we will join the church tonight" so they joined the Methodist church that evening and he again renewed his covenant with the Lord while living at Forest Home. He was a firm believer in the Bible and in his declining years its promises sustained him.

As the years advanced and Grandpa Curry's rheumatism made him an almost helpless invalid the companionship of these aged people became more beautiful and the bond of love more perfect "To you I will always be true" meant that love had power to carry these wedded ones through a period of 57 years. This alone was an example worth of imitation. His last illness though brief was full of suffering and he longed to go to Heaven, and be at rest.

A large concourse of people followed the remains to the Browntown church where a very fitting sermon was preached by A. A. Heath, of University Place, Oskaloosa. Text, Job VII, 6th "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle."

The thought that we will wear in the future would the garments which we weave here was beautifully portrayed by the young minister, after which the remains were laid away beside his beloved companion in the Beason cemetery.

I asked the aged with care oppressed: "All suffering o'er; O, heaven he said, At last is rest!"