Knowlton, Washington Irving ("Irv") 1839-1911

IRVING, EDWARDS

Posted By: Janet Brown - volunteer (email)
Date: 8/12/2013 at 17:07:32

From the September 21, 1911 Hawarden Independent:

W. I. Knowlton, one of the pioneers of Sioux county and one of her foremost citizens, died at his home in Ireton Saturday after an immediate illness of about two weeks. He had been in poor health for the past year from stomach trouble and medical science did not seem able to reach the seat of the disease. The funeral was held Wednesday at the new home which he had recently completed but which he did not live to enjoy. Rev. F. C. Taylor of Algona, former pastor of the Methodist church of Ireton, preached the funeral sermon. Members of the Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges, of which orders the deceased was an old and honored member, acted as pall bearers and with the G. A.R. attended the funeral in a body.

Washington Irving Knowlton was born in Pike county, Ill., Nov. 12,1839. In 1844 he moved with his parents to Trimble County, Ill., and from there he went to Grant county, Wis., in 1852. In 1862 he answered his country's call and enlisted in the second Colorado cavalry. He served three years and was honorably discharged June 28, 1866. On Dec. 24, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Happalonia Edwards at Mineral Point, Wis. Two children were born to them, Mrs. Nellie Swift of Hawarden and Clinton Knowlton of Ireton.

In 1872 Mr. Knowlton and his family came to Sioux county and located on a homestead south of Ireton. They resided here several years and withstood the privations incident to those pioneer days. Later he purchased a farm east of Ireton where they lived for many years. Several years ago he gave up farming and moved to town and has since made Ireton his home. Last spring he commenced the erection of a handsome new home in which he hoped to enjoy his declining years, but fate was against him and just as it was in readiness for occupancy he was taken to his bed and did not live to enjoy its luxury. It was his wish that he be taken to his new home at death and the funeral services be held there. This last wish was complied with and it was there that the friends and neighbors gathered with the sorrowing family to pay their last respects to one of the nation's heroes and one of Sioux county's firmest friends. "Irv" Knowlton, as he was familiarly called, was one of nature's noblemen — kind and generous to a fault. Everyone who knew him considered him their friend.