James Edward Batman (1834-1909)

BATMAN, PURKHISER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/15/2016 at 06:58:46

From Nevada Representative December 28, 1909 (front page)

OBITUARY

DEATH OF J. E. BATMAN

James E. Batman, long a most esteemed citizen of Nevada and a veteran of the civil war, died suddenly on Christmas afternoon, having dropped on the street and passed away a few minutes later at his home. His death was about as sudden as such events are in the natural course of events. Also it was unattended by any amount of suffering and was the peaceful conclusion of a long life that had been worthily spent. Mr. Batman has his home with his youngest son Bert at his old homestead which he had had for about thirty-five years; but he had been having his Christmas dinner with his son Arvil at the latter's home about four blocks east. The dinner had been comparatively early for a holiday, and the afternoon had been quietly and most enjoyably spent. Between twenty-five minutes and half-past five he started for home, and as he passed the McKim home he was observed to stop a little; but he went on and crossed the street. Then he stopped again, leaned against a tree and then sank down upon the snow. Help was almost instantly at hand and a doctor was quickly summoned. A bob-sled that happened to be passing was requisitioned, and he was put into the sleigh and taken home. He spoke a few times in the sleigh and after being laid on the bed at home; but he was very weak and before any thing could really be done to rally him the end came at a quarter to five, his illness having lasted only about fifteen minutes and certainly not more than twenty minutes. He had for couple of years been subject to heart trouble, his strength failing occasionally but always recovering until this time. There is no reason apparent why the trouble should have come upon him this time, unless it be the going out into the crisp winter air; but it came and was quickly over.

Mr. Batman was a native of Louisville, Kentucky, where he was born December 17, 1834; and he died as stated at Nevada, Iowa, December 25, 1909, aged 75 years and 8 days. He grew up at Louisville, and as a young man removed to Washington county, Indiana, where he was living when the war for the union broke out. He responded with alacrity to the call for troops and enlisted on June 3, 1861, for a term of three years. He was mustered into the service as a private of Company C, 24th Indiana Infantry on the second of July following, and he soon became a part of the 1st brigade, 3rd division, 13th Army Corps, Army of the Mississippi. With this command he went through much of the hardest service in the west. He fought as a private in the battles of the Shiloh and of Grand Prairie, Arkansas, and as a corporal he was at Port Gibson, Champion Hill, the siege of Vicksburg the assault on Jackson, and the engagements of Atchafalaya and Carrion Crow Bayou. He has a veteran furlough and was transferred to the 83d Ohio, from which regiment he was discharged, his term of enlistment having expired on July 30, 1864. He then returned to his Indiana home, where he was married on September 26, 1865, to Ovanda, eldest daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Purkhiser. Arvil, the eldest son, was born the next year in Indiana; but in October of 1866 the Purkhisers and Batmans emigrated to Iowa and came in the first instance to Nevada. In 1874, Mr. Batman bought the place fronting the city park form the east, which has since been known as the Batman homestead and where he has since had his home. Mrs. Batman died there August 10, 1897 but one or more of the children have been there to make the home for him in the intervening years.

Mr. and Mrs. Batman had six children of whom two died in infancy, the survivors being Arvil A., of Nevada; Anna, who was for several years principal of the Nevada high school and now holds the same position at Lamar, Colorado; Frank, living south of Ames and Albert C., more commonly called "Bert" the deputy county auditor. There are also thirteen grandchildren and [unreadable] relatives on the Purkhiser side. Miss Anna Batman from Colorado and Miss Lillian Purkhiser from Inwood, Iowa, arrived Monday for the funeral, which will be conducted Wednesday at two o'clock at the Presbyterian church by Rev. T. K. Hunter, assisted by Rev. W. E. Payne.

Mr. Batman was a good and patriotic man and an esteemed member of the community. he was proud of his army record, and he brought up a good family. He was a charter member of Jason D. Ferguson post was for time commander of the same, and he was street commissioner of Nevada for many years. In all that he died he was straight-forward and faithful, and his work in this world was most honorably done. The fact that when death came to him it came quickly and easily will not be regretted; but his life is appreciated, and his passing is sincerely mourned.