Ensign, Alfred, Gordon 1861-1938

ENSIGN, WELD, GRANT, SMITH

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 1/29/2012 at 12:20:17

A.G. Ensign a pioneer business man of this city, passed away at his home in the north part of town shortly before 4 o’clock Saturday afternoon. He had been in gradually failing health for the past five years and about a month ago became acutely ill and thereafter his strength ebbed rapidly until death claimed him. Funeral services were held at 1:30 Tuesday afternoon at the Ross Funeral Home with Rev. T.H. Harding, pastor of the Associated Church in charge. Members of the Masonic order, of which he had long been an honored member, attended the services in a body and were in charge of the burial rites at Grace Hill cemetery.

Alfred Gordon Ensign, son of William Warren and Mercy Weld Ensign, was born at Iowa City, July 29, 1861 and died in Hawarden February 12, 1938, at the age of 76 years 6 months and 13 days. He went to Canada as a young man where he became a miller and in 1886 was united in marriage with Elizabeth Grant at Embro, Ontario. Two years later he left Canada, locating in Calliope in 1888 where he engaged in the milling business and for many years operated the old water power mill on the banks of the Sioux river, first as a member of the firm of Gordon & Ensign and later as individual enterprises. Operation of the mill was discontinued nearly twenty years ago and it was dismantled and later the building was cut in two and moved away from the old site.

His wife passed away in Calliope March 30, 1890, leaving him with a small daughter and son. In 1904 he married Helen M. Smith at Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, and she survives him. One son W. Warren Ensign of Libby, Mont. was born to this union. His older children are Mrs. S. E. Robinson of Vancouver, B.C. and Fred Ensign of Marshall, Minn. There are eight grandchildren, Alfred and Floyd Ensign of Northwood, Iowa. Fritz and Elizabeth Renee Ensign of Marshall, Minn. , Grant, Teddy, Stewart and Kathleen Robinson of Vancouver , B. C. He is also survived by one brother, Charles W. Ensign of Medina, N.Y.

During his fifty years as a resident of Hawarden, Mr. Ensign always took an active interest in public and civic affairs. He held town offices in the old town of Calliope before it became a part of Hawarden Corporation and later served as a member of the Hawarden city council. He had been a member of the Masonic lodge for many years and was one of the most regular and loyal attendants at lodge sessions, having held most of the offices in the lodge at one time or another. He was a wide reader and aimed to keep himself informed on a wide range of public questions. During his long resident in their community he acquired the friendship of many people who enjoyed his companionship and who will mourn his passing.

Source: Hawarden Independent(Feb 17, 1938)