Thomas G. Isherwood

ISHERWOOD, HALE, BECKER

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/10/2014 at 10:59:51

Capt Thomas G. Isherwood,
Veteran River Steamboat
Man, Dies in 89th Year

Captain Thomas G. Isherwood, probably one of the most successful and best-known river steamboat captains on the Mississippi during the last half of the century, a man who knew the steamboat business from every angle and had built many crafts which now ply the waters of the Father of Waters, is dead. Death occurred at 4: 15 this morning at 1333 East 10th street, following a period of failing health extending over the last year. Capt. Isherwood was 89 years old.

PLAYMATE OF JAMES BLAINE

Born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 22, 1833, Capt Isherwood, living on the banks of the Ohio river, early in life was fascinated by the stream, and with James G. Blaine, a neighbor boy, often played on its banks and swam in its waters. In his 18th or 19th year, he obtained his first position as an employee on a steamboat, an occupation which continued to fascinate him up to the time of his death.

After spending his early years on the Ohio River, learning all phases of steamboat operation, he decided to come to the Mississippi, and was attracted to Le Claire and Davenport. It has been said that he was an authority on all river conditions, and that he guided and advised hundreds of river captains.

WAS PRACTICAL MAN

A practical steamboatman in every way, he was supreme authority on every craft he captained, setting all disputes himself, and when necessary taking an unruly employee by the scruff of the neck. He came to be respected by all river men as a fair dealer.

After a number of years as a captain, he entered the carpenter contracting business, both as a boat builder and as a general contractor, and in this field enjoyed success.

LIVED IN SCOTT CO. 73 YEARS

FOR THE LAST 73 YEARS, Capt. Isherwood has been a resident of Scott County. He married Miss Ruby Pollock of Mr. Vernon, Ia., in 1858, she preceding him in death a number of years ago.

In recent years, when Capt. Isherwood reached an advanced age, he suffered illness a number of times, and was taken to the hospital, and was taken to the hospital, but he iron constitution he had built up by outdoor life in his youth enabled him to recuperate each time. Altho his daughters in California had offered him a home in a milder climate, he preferred to be near the river he was so fond of, and every day when his health permitted he would walk down to its bank and look over its expanse of water.

Capt. Isherwood was a member of Snow Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Le Claire. Those who survive him are two daughters. Mrs. Estella Hale and Mrs. Adeline Becker, both of Los Angeles, Cal.

The body was brought to the Horrigan & Son chapel, where funeral services in charge of Snow Lodge A. F. and A. M. of Le Claire, will be held at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon with burial in Oakdale cemetery.

Source: Davenport Democrat, Davenport, Ia., 05 Feb 1923.

Capt Tom Isherwood, old
Time Mississippi River Pilot,
Dead at Age of 89

Captain Thomas K. Isherwood, veteran river pilot, died at 4:15 o’clock this morning at his home at 1333 East Tenth Street after a lingering illness of a year’s duration. Captain Isherwood spent nearly all of his life in river work and was probably the most successful and best-known pilot on the Mississippi river. He would have been 90 years old next October.

He was born in Pennsylvania October 23, 1833 and was married to Miss Ruby Polock at Mt. Vernon, Ia. in 1855.

Captain Isherwood devoted his life to shipbuilding and river work and for over half a century had been accepted as authority on river conditions. He first became attracted to river work in 1850 when he accepted the command of the steamer Clara Dean which ran between Pittsburg and Louisville on the Ohio River. He was thus employed three years before accepting a position as pilot of the steamer A. G. Mason which ran between St. Louis and St. Paul on the Mississippi which position brought him to Davenport on the Duck Creek chain and Captain Isherwood entered the employee of the Northern Line Packet company and for 14 years was connected with that company.

After 56 years services as a river pilot he was forced to retire from that occupation, but continued to follow the river by engaging in the shipbuilding business.

After his retirement as a pilot he spent many summers on various Mississippi river boats and never tired of telling of his eventful life when he piloted steamers up and down the “Father of Waters,” he has made his home in Le Claire and davenport for a number of years.

Last August Captain Isherwood narrowly escaped death when he was seriously injured when he fell down the stairs of his home 3221/2 East second St. he sustained a fractured shoulder and an injury to his head which it was feared would prove fatal, but rallied and until recently was able to be about. Capt. Isherwood attributed his remarkable vitality at such an advanced age to an active life in a rugged occupation.

He was a member of the Snow Lodge, A. F. & A. M. of Le Claire. Surviving are two daughters. Mrs. Estella Hale and Mrs. Adeline Becker of Los Angeles California.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o’clock Wednesday afternoon at the E. A. Horrigan & Son funeral parlors with internment in the Oakdale cemetery. The Snow Lodge A. F. 7 A. M. of Le Claire will have charge of the services at both the parlors and the grave.

Source: The Daily Davenport, Davenport, Ia., 05 Feb 1923, p. 1.

Funeral of Mrs. Isherwood

Services Were Largely Attended by Friends and Relatives

The funeral of Mrs. Thomas Isherwood was held at the family home 215 East Twelfth Street at 10 o’clock this morning, the services being conducted by Dr. Barclay. The music was furnished by a quartet. The floral offerings were numerous and elaborate being the tokens from many steamboatmen and their families of Davenport and Rock Island. The pallbearers were Captain George Lamont, Captain James Osborn, Captain Lon Bryson, John McGinnis, J. W. Seaman and E. W. Seaman. The internment was in Oakdale.

Source: The Davenport Times, Davenport, Ia., 28 Jun 1901, p. 7.

Contributed by Sue Rekkas.