George Fayette Schoonover (1841-1867)

SCHOONOVER, LOUCKS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

From Story County Aegis April 5, 1867 (page 3)

DIED.

In Nevada, Tuesday, April 2d, of Consumption, GEORGE SCHOONOVER, aged 26 years.

The deceased, long and favorably known to the citizens of this county, was born at Angelica, Alleghany county, New York, May 5th, 1841.--While still an infant, his parents moved to Kenton, Hardin county, Ohio, where the youthful GEORGE, grew in stature and in favor with makind [sic] until his thirteenth year. Whatever of book knowledge and schools he had was obtained during this period, for while yet a mere youth, he commenced the profession of his choice, and in which he was destined to achieve no mediocre excellence, that of a printer, in the office of the Alleghany County Republican, J. S. ROBINSON, then and still editor. In this office he remained three years, serving faithfully and laying the foundations for steady business habits and imbibing from his surroundings those political principles and the ability to distinguish the right, and maintain it, for which his after years were distinguished.

In the Spring of 1857, GEORGE accompanied the rest of the family in their emigration to the promising prairies of Iowa, and settled in Nevada.--Here he found work in the Advocate office, then conducted by R. R. THRALL, with whom he plied his craft for about two years, then shifted his quarters to Cedar Rapids and entered the Times office as a journeyman.

The Spring of 1861, heard the war cry raised over all the loyal mountains and prairies of the north. GEORGE'S early training , his associations and his sympathies were of a character to foster the spirit of nationality, of liberty may be of excitement, and we find him enrolled as a private in company "K" of the historic Iowa first. He shared in all the privations and the glories of this famous regiment, enduring the shoddy garments and the extortionate prices with which the State treated her first soldiers, waded the Missouri sloughs and won honor and a scar at Wilson's Creek.

At the expiration of the term of enlistment, he was discharged with his regiment, and having enough of war for the present, again sought out employment at this favorite trade and obtained it as a foreman of an office in Genne-seo, Ill. In the Spring of '62, he returned to Nevada, and purchased the press and material of th Advocate office from Mr. THRALL, an I set up on his own account, instructing the Republican Reveille, which, for nearly two years, he made a terror to the enemies of their country and pride of all loyal people in this county. The fulminations of of the Reveille and the sharp arrows shot from its quiver, were copied in the neighboring exchanges and publication day of each week came to be dreaded by the Democracy, more than Butler's orders to New Orleans.

In November 1863, by reason of failing health, he was compelled to dispose of his office, which he did to the writer, and the next Spring again entered the service as a private in Co. "A" 23 Iowa Infantry, which regiment he joined at New Orleans or shortly after its arrival an Morganza Bend, Texas. He was with the regiment in its service in Louisiana and the disastrous Red River Expedition. Afterwards he was detailed as foreman of the Post Printing Office at Head Quarters of the 19th Army Corpse [sic], New Orleans, in which capacity he remained until smitten by that curse of the service--chronic diarrhea. For about five months he laid in the hospital and was discharged at the same time with his regiment.

Returning to Iowa, he again betook himself to his trade, as Foreman of the Marshall Times office, Mrs. C. H. HENDERSON Editor. He remained in this office until returning ill health, warned him that he must seek elsewhere than in a printing office, the means of a livelihood. With this intent he returned to Story County, and by the advice of friends consented to accept the nomination as Republican candidate for County Recorder, to which office, it is needless to day, he was triumphantly elected, and on last New Year's day filed his bond and entered upon its duties.

But consumption, the basis for which disease was contracted in the service, was busy feeding upon his vitals, and he was but occasionally able to perform the active duties of his office. He maintained faith and hope in his ultimate recovery until but a day or two before the grim messenger made his last demand, and so late as Saturday last was seen upon the street.--Kindly cared for by his sympathizing friends and acquaintances, he went slowly down into the dark waters, not fearing death and early on Tuesday morning with his intellect bright as ever, he closed his eyes and went to rest.

He was married in 1862 to NANCY, daughter of GEORGE LOUCKS, Esq., and two little children mourn a father's death. The funeral exercises were held in the Presbyterian church, Rev. Mr. JONES officiating, and were attended by a large concourse of persons.

In his intercourse with his fellow men, Mr. SCHOONOVER, was urbane, and kind. Strangers would be apt to mistake his character, and from an air of easy familiarity which was habitual to him, would attribute lack of firmness as one of the qualities of his disposition. His extravagant generosity also tended to confirm this impression. Nothing was further from the truth, however. Beneath a careless habit, he concealed a will as obstinate at Caesar's, the which, when his mind and concience [sic] were convinced of the justness of any given course, never allowed him to waver therefrom.--When fully satisfied that he was in the clear course of right neither the seductions of friends nor the threats of enemies could turn him from the even tenor of his way.

His death is mourned by a large number of political and personal friends, to whose longing eyes nought now is shown of him but the gentle hillock of fresh raised earth, which upon the western prarie [sic] marks the spot where out GEORGE lies buried.