James Edward Batman (1834-1909)

BATMAN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/16/2016 at 18:41:42

From Nevada Representative December 31, 1909 (page 2)

TRIBUTE TO JAS. E. BATMAN.

From Funeral Address by Rev. W. P Payne

Probably few men in this community outside his family and family relatives knew Mr. Batman more intimately than did I No one probably had a better understanding of his inner thoughts, convictions and purposes than did I. Let me briefly list some of the constituents of his make-up that made him a valuable citizen, and entitle him to high honor and to the enduring regard of his fellow townsmen.

First, he was a man of industry. He never had time to loiter by the wayside or to polish sidewalk guard rails. He dignified labor by doing well whatever kind came to his hand. And the fruits of his labor he made good use of.

Second, he was reliable, honest, trustworthy. His integrity was unquestioned. His service was always the best he could give, whether his employer was the public or a private individual. He never needed to be watched. During a minor business intercourse with him for many years, we never has occasion to be dissatisfied with his work or his claim for wage.

Third, he was not vociferous in the proclaim of his views and convictions in politics and religion; but he had his views and convictions all the same, and on proper occasions quietly and firmly maintained them. In religion he was associated in early years with the Baptist denomination but in late years he had grown into the broader faith that emphasizes the love of God rather than His justice. In a word, he had come to hold God as the Father of the children of men and that in this life and the life to come, he would deal with them as a father should. In politics he always aimed to talk and vote as he had shot when a soldier of the Union, at the enemies of the country and of the government. In fact in all his relations to local, state and national affairs he was thoughtful and worthy citizen.

Fourth, he established and maintained, with the help of a good wife, a permanent and comfortable home in which was reared a group of children who are rendering their day and generation good service. He was a man of clean habits, neither in word nor example did he give encouragement to his own boy nor other men's boys, to use booze or tobacco His record along this line, beginning before the war and continuing through the war is estimable.

Fifth, the span of his life form 1834 to 1909, three-quarters of a century, covers the period of state building in the great Central west, especially of our own peerless state of Iowa. In this building up of Iowa through a residence of more than forty years, he gave the full share of help that all worthy, patriotic citizens, contribute. It is to him and such as he that Iowa owe much of prosperity and high place among the commonwealth of the nation.

Sixth, but to my mind crowning feature of his career is patriotism, his service as soldier of the union army. The man, however humble and obscure who take his life in his hand, and for three years more or less, offers that life for the ransom of the nation, as did our departed friend and fellow citizen is entitled to a seat in the high places of civic renown. Indeed he has won that enduring encomium of the man of Galilee, who said "No man hath greater love than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Men and women of Nevada do you know (you do if you stop to think) that the services of this old friend of us all are wrought into the very substance of the stately monuments that tell the story of the great battlefields of the lower Mississippi? A few years ago I wanted to establish my eligibility to membership in the society of the Sons of the Revolution. I knew that one of my ancestral grandparents was a revolutionary soldier, but family facts in regard to the matter were hazy and unreliable. I wrote to Washington giving such slight data as i could. In due time there came back to me from the war department, the name of the old worthy, the name of hi company and regiment and the character of his service. This, though a century and a quarter had passed since the record of his service was made. Mr. Batman's name is securely recorded in the archives of the government at Washington-- the "Government of the people, by the people, for the people" and, if a century or two hence, som distant descendant of his should wish to verify the record of his deeds, a letter or maybe a wireless telegram to Washington would summon up the patriotic story.

But some one might say that so much credit cannot justly be given a single soldier when two millions other soldiers were by his side. Not so; the fact that other men were doing the same work deducted nothing from the merit of his service. The great victory of a regiment detracts nothing from the honor or glory of the patriotism, loyalty and bravery of the individuals composing the regiment The fact is the salvation of the nation through the victories of the Union armies, is the greatest civic achievement in the annals of civilization, and the humblest soldier who had part and lot in that achievement is entitled to the highest honor and deepest gratitude his fellow countrymen now and hereafter can extend.