Michael Purkhiser (1825-1908)

PURKHISER, WILSON, BOWERS, BATMAN, HALSEY, HORNBERGER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/5/2013 at 18:52:44

From Nevada Representative August 24, 1908

OBITUARY

DEATH OF M. PURKHISER

Michael Purkhiser died at his home in thsi city Saturday noon August 22, 1908, aged 83 years, 2 months and 14 days. Death came to him as he and all of his friends would have wished, peacefully, unlooked for, in a moment of especial happiness and without pain. Although he had been ill for some time and had a week before once almost dropped away, he had for several days been doing will, and Saturday morning he had been up and about, had walked up to the nearest corner and back, had rested in the hammock and had been enjoying the pleasant sunshine. About ten o'clock there had arrived without notice his favorite nephew, David Bowers from Longview, Texas, and this arrival made for the old man the happiest two hours that he had experienced in a long time. Just before noon he went into the house and lay down on the lounge, where he was left alone for a moment, and on the return of his household he was seen to be dying and in a moment the end had come, as the clock was striking twelve.

Mr. Purkhiser was born in Washington township, Washington county, Indiana, June 8, 1825 and was reared there and was married there December 30, 1845 to Elizabeth Wilson, whom he lived most happily with for more than 62 years. They continued to live in the same neighborhood until after the war and there all of their children were born, excepting the twins, Lillian and Elizabeth, born in the present home in Nevada. Mr. Purkhiser enlisted in Company B of the 66th Indiana Infantry on July 4, 1862 and was in the battle at Richmond, Kentucky, on August 30 of the same year. The battle was not a great one but for him it was momentous for he was wounded and captured. He was, however released on account of the severity of his wound; from which in time he recovered by the narrest of margins. He returned to his regiment a few months later but he was not in condition for service, and he was discharged in February, 1863. In 1866 he made the only move of his life and came with his family to Nevada, Iowa, and located on the lot were the rest of his life was spent. Mrs. Purkhister died there on February 11 of the present year, and he had followed her in a little more than six months. They had nine children; two of whom died in infancy and anoth of whom, Mrs. Ovanda Batman, died in Nevada in 1897. The other six survive and are Mrs. Mary Halsey of Perry, Allen Purkhiser of Nevada, Mrs. Laura Halsey of Madrid, Mrs. Emily Hornberger of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Misses Lillian and Elizabeth Purkhiser of Nevada. There are also 15 grand-children and 11 great-grand children. All of the surviving children are here for the funeral excepting Mrs. Hornberger, who was here a week ago but returned home the middle of the week.

Mr. Purkhiser was a man most sincerely venerated by all who knew him. His aspirations were modest, and his life was simple; but he sympathized strongly with what was best in the world, reared with his good wife a worthy family and did his duty always. His married life was of very exceptional duration and was as happy as it was long. Toward the end of life he was separated only briefly from his helpmeet and his end was so very happy that its coming is hardly an occasion for mourning.

His funeral is conducted this afternoon from the Methodist church by the pastor, Rev. R. E. Shaw, who will be assisted by Rev. W. P. Payne. The rites at the grave will be in charge of this comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic.