Handy, Homer Marvin Sr. 1827-1912

HANDY, CHAMBERS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 8/30/2014 at 06:39:44

Rock Valley Bee. May 31,1912 born 4/27/1827

HIS FINAL SLEEP DIED AT HIS HOME IN THIS CITY SATURDAY MORNING MR. HOMER M. HANDY ONE OF THE PIONEEBS OF SIOUX AND LYON COUNTIES – BURIED AT ROCK RAPIDS

Homer M. Handy, one of the pioneers of Sioux and Lyon counties, passed away at his home in this city at 8:30 Saturday morning. He had not been well all winter, in fact had been very feeble for two or three years past owing to his advanced age. Because of his long residence here and at Rock Rapids he was well known throughout Sioux and Lyon counties and very popular wherever he was known.

The subject of this sketch was born at Casadaga. N. Y. April 27, 1827 and died at his home in Rock Valley May, 25, 1912, at the age of eighty-five years and twenty eight days. He was married to Miss Ann M. Chambers in 1848, five years later they came to Rockford, IL, later moving to Rock Rapids Which was their home for several years. They came to Rock Valley in 1882 and this place has been their home for the past twenty years. For a time Mr. Handy conducted a hotel here which proved very popular to the traveling public as well as a credit to the town.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Handy, four of whom have precede their father to the world beyond. Besides his aged wife Mr. Handy leaves to mourn six children. Mr. Kate Shaw of Terry MT; Mrs. Mary F. Green Wilmont MN; N. S. Handy Rock Rapids; Mrs. Minnie Curtiss, of Edgerly ND; Mrs. Anna Belle ___ell, of Ackley, IA; and Homer M. Handy Jr. of Rock Valley. Short funeral services in charge of the Masonic lodge of which Mr. Handy was a life member were held from the late home of the deceased Monday morning at eleven o’clock conducted by Rev. C. H. Young of the Methodist church at this place and the remains were taken to Rock Rapids for interment. Rev. Young accompanied the mourning relatives and friends to Rock Rapids where further services were held which were largely attended the bereaved relatives have the sympathy of many friends.
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Alton Democrat issue of 1 June 1912, Rock Valley column:

We are called to chronicle the death of an esteemed and respected citizen, Homer Marvin Handy Sr., at his home in Rock Valley Iowa Saturday morning May 25th 1912, of senile debility. The deceased was born at Casadaga New York April 27th 1827. He grew to manhood and learned the trade of a machinist, which he pursued for many years. He formed the acquaintance of Miss Ann M. Chambers which ripened into affection and culminated in their marriage January 4th 1848 at Westfield New York. This union was blessed with ten children, four boys and six girls. Being a man of moderate circumstances and of an ambitious disposition, he sought a country where greater opportunities were afforded, and in 1853 he emigrated west and located at Rockford, Ill., where he resided for nine years. In 1874 he moved to Boscobel, Wis., where he resided for a period of one year, when they came to Iowa in 1875 and located at Rock Rapids and engaged in the hotel business. In 1882 he came to Rock Valley and ran the Handy House till eight years ago when, by reason of old age and decrepitude, he was compelled to retire from the busy activities of life. He was favorably known by the traveling public in Northwest Iowa, who remember him with pleasant recollections. There is a tendency in eulogizing the departed to exaggerate their many virtues and defy that which is mortal, but it can be truly said of the deceased that he was a good citizen, a man of genial disposition, a true heart and a sympathetic nature. He was a firm believer in the principles embodied in the Golden Rule, and endeavored to exemplify them in everyday life. He met his duties to his fellow men, and was always ready to respond to an appeal for charity's sake or do what he could to alleviate human suffering. He died in the midst of his devoted family and among friends he loved so well. He is survived by his aged companion who shared with him the vicissitudes of life, and six children: Mrs. Kate L. Shaw of Montana, Mary F. Green, Wilmont, Minn.; Ned S. Handy, Rock Rapids Iowa; Minnie L. Curtis, Edgely, N.D., Anna B. Gimmel, Ackley Iowa; and Homer M. Handy Jr., Rock Valley. Four preceeded him to the spirit world; Helen S., Alice M., Gurnsey W., and William J. Handy. He was an honored member of Border Lodge No. 406 of Masonic fraternity at Rock Rapids under whose auspices he was buried. Brief funeral services were conducted at the residence by Rev. C. H. Young, after which he was taken Monday to Rock Rapids for interment. Many beautiful floral tributes were given by friends. The bereaved friends have the sympathy of the community in their hour of sorrow.
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