William Rambo

RAMBO

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/10/2014 at 16:57:52

DEATH OF WM. RAMBO

Wm. Rambo, one of the oldest settlers of the county, died at his residence in Le Claire, last Wednesday evening. He was about sixty years of age, a good neighbor and an exemplary citizen. He had been twice married, the last time about one year ago, and was the father of a numerous family. He was a skillful Rapids pilot, having been engaged in that business more than thirty years. At times he was somewhat conspicuous in local political matters, having been an ardent Democrat. Many citizens of Scott county will be grieved to hear of his decease.

Source: The Daily Gazette, Davenport, Ia., 27 Jan 1871, p. 4.

OBITUARY.

The citizens of Le Claire were gathered by the toiling bell to the Methodist Church , on Friday, Jan. 27th, to honor the memory and remains of an old and respected neighbor, Mr. Wm. D. Rambo.

Deceased was born December 30th, 1814, in Beaver county, Pennsylvania , where he grew up to manhood, and in April, 1832, married Miss Jane Peterson. In 1848 he moved to the “West”, stopping one year in Illinois , and finally settling in Le Claire , Iowa . Here he engaged in business in a mill, of which he was part owner, continuing therein for some five or six years. Afterwards, he engaged in business in the river trade, and for many years past has been known as a pilot of the first class. In July of 1857, his wife closed an exemplary Christian life, and dying as only a Christian die, given the fixedness of death to the luster of a faithful life, which has been like a pole-star, to her husband and children in every vicissitude, in all their wanderings. Thirteen years from her death saw the youngest of eight children nearly grown to womanhood, when he again married, and now, after but about four months of wedlock, Mrs. Mary Fullmer Rambo mourns his decease.

Bilious colic, malignant and baleful from the start, not only baffled the skill of the four physicians called, but fixed upon his mind the belief that it was the clutch of death. But he declared himself ready, ready thought the merit of his redeemer. Six of his children, with sons and daughters-in-law gathered with his wife around his death bed. He spoke to them severally; admonishing, advising and encouraging them to a pious life and a reunion in heaven. Having prayed for them, he delivered to them his dying charge. His last words were. “We are going.”

He had become a member of the M. E. Church in Illinois , in 1843 or ‘44, and had maintained religious principles and instructions of Methodist type in his family ever afterwards, although he, through troubles of a private business character, had voluntary ceased to exercise the privileges of a member in the church for several years previous to his death.

Mr. Rambo was a man of strong physical constitution, was regarded by his fellow citizens as a quiet, honest, dignified gentlemen, and as an affectionate husband and father commanded the love and reverence of his family to the last.

A crowded audience attended the funeral solemnities, and the universal sorrow of the community attested the attachment of the “old settlers“, the reverence of the young, and the unnamed grief of his family circle. Whatever were his good acts and qualities, he trusted, not in them, but in the Savior of sinners, in whose name he sleeps by the grave of his sainted wife, awaiting the “better resurrection.”

Source: Unknown.