Warren, Abram J., 1829-1913

WARREN, DUTTON

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/6/2014 at 10:56:51

COL. A. J. WARREN
Died Monday, Was 84 Years Old

Col. A. J. Warren, one of the pioneers and for almost half a century a resident of Rock Valley and vicinity, died at his home Monday noon at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Mr. Warren was taken sick about three weeks ago with an attack of the 'grippe but his condition was not at first considered serious. Later other complications set in and it was evident that at his advanced age he had little chance for recovery.

Mr. Warren was a familiar figure on our streets and he will be greatly missed. He had lived here ever since the town was platted and before. In fact it was Mr. Warren who owned the land where Rock Valley now stands, who laid out the wide and attractive streets of our city, who planted the trees and cared for them and who has always had the best interests of the town at heart. His work here stands as the best monument that can be erected in his memory.

The deceased was born at Rockport, Ohio, in 1829. There he spent his early life and grew to manhood. He came west in 1856 and settled at Waterloo, Ia. He was married a year later. This union was blessed with two daughters, Mrs. Eloise Schaller of Storm Lake, Ia., and Mrs. Ellen Remley who lives in the state of Washington. In the year of 1869 Mr. Warren came to Lyon county and later to Sioux and for forty-four years he has lived in Rock Valley and vicinity where he had large investments in land and other property.

The deceased was a man who was highly respected and widely known. He was always ready to help with any improvement for the town and country. In many instances he seemed to take as much interest in public affairs as in his own private business. For years he served as a member of the school board and as a member of the town council, and for a term he represented Sioux county in the state legislature where he served his state and district that elected [him] to this position of honor and trust, in a most creditable manner.

He leaves to mourn his aged wife, two daughters, and one brother, three other brothers and two sisters having preceded him to the land beyond several years ago. Funeral services were held from the Methodist church in this city Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., conducted by Rev. C. H. Young, pastor of this church, and interment was made in the Valley View cemetery. The services were largely attended by numerous friends who desired in this way to show their great respect for the deceased and their sympathy for the bereaved relatives. During the funeral services all the business places in town were closed out of respect to the deceased.

Source: Rock Valley Bee, February 21, 1913. Followed by Resolutions of Respect passed at a special meeting of the town council.

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"In the midst of life we are in death." This truth is again forcibly impressed upon our citizens in contemplating the demise of A. J. Warren, a highly respected citizen, which occurred at his home in Rock Valley February 17, 1913.

The deceased was born at Rockport near Cleveland Ohio July 29th, 1828, aged 84 years, 6 months and twenty-seven days. He formed the acquaintance of Miss Julia Dutton of Oberlin Ohio, which ripened into affection, and culminated in their marriage in February 1857. Two children were born to them, to bless and brighten their home life. He being a man of an ambitious nature, turned his face westward, where the opportunities were more golden, in securing a home, and acquiring a competency, and located at Waterloo Iowa, when in the spring of 1869 he came to northwest Iowa and located on a farm in Lyon county, and endured the hardships and privations of pioneer life. When the Milwaukee railroad was surveyed through here, in 1879 he platted and laid out the town of Rock Valley, and contributed much to the material growth and development of the town and immediate community. Many people of moderate means were enabled to secure for themselves a home through his aid and generosity. He was active in the municipal affairs of the town, and was a valuable member of the town council for several years, and was also a member of the board of education. In 1892 he was elected a member of the twenty-fourth general assembly and represented his constituency with marked ability.

The dust from the pinions of time has been falling for three score years and ten, on the events of his now completed life. The city council drafted resolutions of respect and the business houses closed during the funeral services, which occurred at the Methodist church Wednesday at 9:30 A.M., conducted by the pastor, Rev. C. H. Young, in the presence of a large concourse of neighbors and sympathizing friends, who came to pay the last tribute of respect of the community. Many floral tributes adorned his casket. He was laid to rest in Valley View cemetery.

He is survived by an aged companion, a brother, Sherman Warren of Humansville, Mo., two daughters--Mrs. Ellen Remley of Cashmere Washington, who was unable to attend the funeral and Mrs. Eloise Schaller of Storm Lake Iowa, who attended the funeral. The community extends sympathy to the relatives in the loss they have sustained. Peace to his ashes, rest to his soul.

Source: Alton Democrat, February 22, 1913.

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(The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Warren, Abram J., b. 1829, d. 17 Feb. 1913, ss Julia D., Valley View Cemetery, Rock Valley; and Warren, Julia D., b. 1834, d. 1918, ss Abram J., Valley View Cemetery.)