William Henry Arrasmith (1828-1908)

ARRASMITH

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/25/2016 at 12:48:24

From Nevada Representative December 21, 1908

OBITUARY

DEATH OF WM. ARRASMITH

William Arrasmith, one of the earliest and most esteemed settlers and residents of Story county, died at his home in Franklin township on Saturday, December 19, aged more than eighty years. His death was the result of the decadence incident to old age, and it closes a long and most worthy life. He came to Story county when the people living here were exceedingly few and scattering. It was in 1852 as we understand, before the county was organized and before the land of the county was opened by the government for entry. But he "squatted" in the timber on the west side of Skunk river north of what was afterwards "Hannum's Mill" and when the land was opened to entry he secured his patent, and there he lived for the rest of his life, save that some of his latest years have been spent in Ames. In all of the progress of the county from its earliest beginnings to its present development he has borne his modest part, always sympathizing with what was best in the community and always exerting a healthy influence upon his community. We have an idea that he was the last or about the last of those earliest settlers who yet survived, and his passing substantially closes the epoch in which he first figured.