Andrew Jackson Read (1826-1909)

READ, STEPHENS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/8/2016 at 16:49:53

From Nevada Representative October 29, 1909 (front page)

OBITUARY

DEATH OF A. J. READ
Is Found Dead in His Bed

Andrew Jackson Read, one of the pioneer residents of Story County and for many years a citizen of Nevada was found in his bed this forenoon, having died evidently at some time during the night. He lived alone, and the discovery was about ten o'clock by Mrs. Phil Hass, a near neighbor, who went over to take him some milk. The coroner was called; but the death was obviously from natural causes, and there was no occasion for an inquest.

Mr. Read was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1826, and died as stated at Nevada, Iowa, on October 29, 1909, aged 83 years, 2 months and 21 days. He was married at or near the old home on November 13, 1853, to Maria Eliza Stephens; and in 1860 they came to Iowa and established their pioneer home on what were then the bleak prairies of Lincoln township in Story county. There they lived for nearly thirty years; but about twenty years ago they came to Nevada. A dozen or so years ago Mrs. Read secured a divorce; but they have both continued to reside in Nevada, and she has ministered to him upon occasion and was the first to be notified when he was found dead. The funeral will be conducted from her house some time Saturday afternoon.

Mr. Read was a man of marked character, very positive in his way of looking at thing and not always easy to get along with; but there ws much sterling worth in him, and in this hour his merits claim much more attention than do his eccentricities. He was straight-forward and honest, industrious and sincere, and he favored according to his understanding what w for the good of the country. He lived long, and though at the last he was alone, he was about on the last day of his life and met his death in evident peace.