Thayer, Edward S., 1856-1922

THAYER, SMITH

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/26/2017 at 08:20:48

From the Rock Valley Bee, July 28, 1922:

E. S. THAYER PASSED AWAY LAST THURSDAY EVENING

It was certainly a surprise and a shock to the people of Rock Valley and vicinity when the sad news reached here last Thursday evening [July 20] that E. S. Thayer had passed away. He had been taken to the hospital at Hull Monday afternoon for an operation for appendicitis. The operation was performed Monday evening following his arrival there. Although his case from the first was considered a very serious one, after the operation he seemed to be getting along as well as could be expected until Thursday afternoon, when he began to fail and suddenly passed away because of a weak heart.

The day before Mr. Thayer was taken to the hospital, Sunday, he was apparently as well as usual until sometime during the afternoon. He drove to Rock Rapids that day but soon after his return complained of not feeling well. He was later taken very sick and continued to grow worse until taken to the hospital Monday afternoon.

On Sunday the day before he was taken to the hospital, members of the family and relatives from out of town gathered at the Thayer home and spent the day. It was a happy family gathering, and will always be remembered by them. They saw Mr. Thayer then as they had always known him, always kind and thoughtful for the enjoyment and welfare of others, and so they will remember him.

Mr. Thayer was born at Batavia, Michigan, May 25, 1856, and had attained the age of sixty-six years, one month and twenty-five days. His early life was spent in Michigan where he received his education and grew to manhood. He was united in marriage to Jessie Smith at Union City, Michigan January 21, 1885. To this union four children were born, three sons, Starr, Wayne and Edward, of Rock Valley, and one daughter who died in infancy.

In September 1885, Mr. and Mrs. Thayer moved to Sioux County and located on a farm southeast of Rock Valley and they have resided there and in Rock Valley almost continuously since that time, except for a short residence at Billings, Montana.

In 1890, Mr. Thayer was elected treasurer of Sioux County and he served in this capacity for four years. He was also at one time elected mayor of Rock Valley, and he also served on the town council, [and] the school board for some time. He was chairman of the Liberty Loan Drive in this district during the World war. He was ever a useful man in the community, and was always ready to help along with any enterprise for the good of the community. Mr. Thayer started the first electric light plant in Rock Valley which he conducted for a few years. He disposed of it in 1916. He was also interested in the local telephone system for several years.

Mr. Thayer was kind and generous, and it was a pleasure to meet him and talk with him. He always had a cheerful word of greeting and encouragement. He loved his home and his family and was always ready and willing to provide the best for them. He was a man whom everybody admired and respected.

Besides his wife and children, he leaves one brother, Wilton E. Thayer, of Fairfax, Oklahoma, and one sister, Mrs. Verna Work, of Boyden. Both were present at the funeral.

Funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon in charge of I.O.O.F. Lodge of which Mr. Thayer had been a member for many years. Rev. J. L. Shroyer, of Sanborn, gave the address and spoke words of comfort and consolation to the bereaved relatives. The funeral was largely attended, many coming from a considerable distance and the many floral offerings were evidence of the high esteem in which Mr. Thayer was held.

Among those from a distance who attended the funeral were Mrs. Verna Work, of Boyden; W. E. Thayer, of Fairfax, Oklahoma; Mrs. E. A. Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Will Hayes, Milford, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Wagner, Sanborn, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Victor Powers, Sanborn; Mr. and Mrs. Otto Strange, Sheldon; Mr. and Mrs. Matt Fahey and children, of Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Large and Mr. and Mrs. Olef Felt, of Sioux City, and numerous other old-time friends in Sioux and Lyon Counties.

[Followed by resolutions of sympathy from Rock Valley Lodge No. 496, I.O.O.F. and Gem Rebekah Lodge No. 247.]

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A similar obituary was published in the Alton Democrat, July 29, 1922. It adds this:

"At the time of his death he was president of the Farmers Savings bank at Doon and has held that position since the bank was organized. He was a stock buyer here for some nine years being associated with Mat Fahey now of Sioux City. He built the city lighting plant and also the telephone exchange. His sons Starr and Wayne being associated with him in the business and in 1916 he disposed of these interests and retired to private life. He was a man of high moral principles and held his word to be inviolable. He exerted a personal influence in the community because of his sterling qualities as a man.... He contributed liberally of his substance to religious enterprises and to those in dire need."

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Thayer, Edward S., b. 1856 d. 1922, Valley View Cem Rock Valley IA.