Arthur W. Stevens (1884-1907)

STEVENS, CHILD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/7/2017 at 09:00:44

From Nevada Representative July 8, 1907

OBITUARY

ARTHUR STEVENS

The funeral of the late Arthur Stevens was conducted from the Presbyterian church here Monday afternoon, Rev. O. H. L. Mason of Boone officiating. The funeral was largely attended, there being along with local friends of the family and relatives from elsewhere a delegation of about fifty friends from Boone. The address by Rev. Mason was very appreciative of a young man who was not especially well known here but who was plainly held in exceedingly high regard by the people who really knew his character and worth. Quantities of flowers were brought as offerings to his memory, and the church was most beautifully decorated for the funeral. The interment was in the Child lot in the Nevada cemetery.

The relatives and friends from abroad who attended the funeral were, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Stevens and son Earl, of Boone and Des Moines, parents and brother of the deceased; Mr. and Mrs. Will child and daughter, Mr. and Mrs Roy Child, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Campbell, Mr. George Person and daughters Nora and Eva, all of Ames, Mrs. Altha Person and son of Kelley; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Bartlett of Boone; Mrs. Juila Stevens of Rhodes; Mrs. Mollie Child Glasco of Cedar Rapids; Fred Jones of Marshalltown; Henry and Chas. Buck of Rhodes; also numerous young people of Boone; including members of the "Hoot Club," boys of the "S. O. M. Club," girls of the "A. I. A." Club," athletic, and of Arthur's graduating class in the Boone high school.

Arthur Stevens was born in Rhodes April 22, 1884, and died at Des Moines July 4, 1907, aged 23 years, 2 months and 12 days. The family home has been for many years in Boone; but for the past tow or three years Mrs. Stevens and also kept a home in Des Moines in the interest of the education there of the two sons. Arthur had showed marked ability and was an expert stenographer having proved himself a most capable teacher of the shorthand system. He had enjoyed good opportunities of education and training and had just reached th age when the fruits of his preparatory work were beginning to be realized. The death of such a young man at such a period to his career strikes everyone as especially sorrowful. It was at Boone that Arthur was best and longest known; and the following from the Boone News of Friday is a fine testimonial to his standing there:

"The news brought sadness to all and his friends here can scarcely realize that death has cut short the career of one of the most promising of the younger residents of Boone. Arthur was taken ill several months ago with typhoid fever and successfully passed through a long siege of sickness. he then came in Boone and remained for some time but contracted the scarlet fever and was taken back to his Des Moines home where he remained for nearly two months. Returning to Boone he seemed to be enjoying in a measure his old time health. He was given a position by the Northwestern company in Norfolk, Nebraska, and went there to act as stenographer. However he was again taken ill and was compelled to return to Boone. He came back early this week, but it was thought best that he should go to Des Moines to be with Mrs. Stevens where he would receive the best of care. He was able to be around and seemed to brighten up on arriving at his home. He was around as usual yesterday and the members of the family had no premonition that death was so near. Just about six o'clock he was seized with a sudden illness and in a few minutes he passed away. His mother was with him at the time, Mr. Stevens and Arthur's only brother, Earl, being in Boone, the latter visiting with his father. Spinal meningitis is given as the cause of death. Messrs. Frank Beatty and Will Stevenson went to Des Moines this morning to be with the family. Arthur was well known and was a popular favorite with all. In his high school life he evinced a great interest in athletics and after concluding his work here he kept up his practice and was in the state meets and larger athletic gatherings. He was for a time in charge of the shorthand and typewriting departments of the Iowa Business College and until his health was shattered gave promise of a most brilliant future. His death, which comes just in the prime of young manhood, and at the time when he head everything to live for, brings with it an especial sadness to his hosts of friends in Boone. Of a bright and cheerful disposition, always a man athletically inclined and pleasing in conversation his demise will be mourned by all. The parents and brother have the deepest sympathy of the Boone friends in this hour of trying bereavement."