Finch, Josiah Landon 1824-1901

FINCH, BIGELOW, WILLY

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg (email)
Date: 4/26/2012 at 14:14:10

From the Alton Democrat of July 6, 1901 gives a short obit of Josiah, but the Rock Valley Bee of Junly 5, 1901 gives a more in-depth obit.

Death of J. L. Finch.
J. L. Finch passed away on last Friday shortly before noon, after a lingering illness of several months duration. He was one of the pioneers of Sioux county and was well known especially among the older residents.
The funeral was held Saturday morning at the house and was largely attended. Rev. John Huizenga conducted the services and preached a most beautiful sermon. Messrs. Fink and Buinting and Mrs. John J. Large and Mrs. F. J. Huizenga furnished some music. After the ceremonies the remains were laid to rest in South side cemetery.

Josiah L. Finch was born in Beakmantown New York on December 25, 1824, being at the time of his death 76 yrs, 6 months and 8 days old. At the age of eight years he removed with this praents to Lewiston Niagara county New York where he lived until eighteen years of age, at thich time he moved to Wheatland Kenosha County WIsconsin. where in the year 1845 he was married to Locina Bigelow. In the year 1853 he moved to Copper Harbor Michigan and engaged in the building of mills for stamping copper ore. In 1853 he came to Chickasaw county IA. In 1862 he moved to Cedar Falls, Black Hawk county IA and four years later removed to Finchford IA where he started a town which still bears his name. In 1874 he came to Sioux County and located near what is now Rock Valley. During the time he lived in Chickasaw and Black Hawuk counties he was engaged in building flouring mills and with Allen Spencer built a flouring mill on the river about one mile north of Rock Valley. After selling his interest in this mill in 1876 he engaged in farming and after Rock Valley came into being he was engeged for a time in the furniture business, but in his later years was not in active business.
He leaves four sons and two daughters, M. J. Finch, Hawarden; J. M. Finch Californina, P. D. Finch Finchford IA, Mrs. O. J. Dunhan, Doon Ia; N. L. Finch Rock Valley and Mrs. A. F Brownell, Salem OR.
(According to an account on line, his father was Pliny Finch 1805-1878 and mother Jedida willy 1807-1864.)