Cyrus Highland (1847-1932)

HIGHLAND, MASKER, JOHNSON, WEBSTER, JAGERSON, FERGUSON, IHLE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/23/2023 at 16:14:43

From The Slater News June 1, 1932 (page 4)

Obituary of Cyrus Highland

Cyrus Highland was born of parents, Ole and Gunfield Highland, July 19, 1847 at Strandsogn, Norway. He came to America, June 20, 1862, with his parents, five brothers, three sisters. The family located at Leland, Ill. He enlisted in the U. S. Army and served until the close of the civil war with Co. H, 156 Illinois volunteers Infantry, with Captain Thomas in command. His two oldest brothers also served in the same war. He came to Story county, Iowa in 1876.

He was married to Isabel Masker Johnson, July 14, 1877. They have always lived in this community and have been active and faithful in community and church work. Their farm home was one-half mile northwest from Slater. This they purchased when it was all prairie land. At that time the North Western track was the early narrow guage type. The Milwaukee track was not built and the town site of Slater was in one big cattle pasture, owned by Mr. A. M. Jenks. So they have seen and had much to do with the building up of this immediate vicinity.

When they advanced in years and farm work became too strenuous they moved to Slater where they have had a happy home. On March 16th this spring Mr. Highland was hurt in a fall. He was cared for at home, but did not get any better so it was decided to take him to the Old Soldiers' Hospital at Marshalltown. On account of the seriousness of his injury and his advanced age he failed to improve and passed away May 21. His wife was with him all the time at the hospital and his daughter, Mrs. Nels Ihle, was there also at the time of his death.

He leaves his loving faithful wife, his companion for nearly 55 years, and the children--Elihu Highland of Bricelyn, Minn., Gertrude Webster of Omaha, Nebraska, Godelia Jagerson of Sherburn, Minn., Carrie Ferguson of Chicago Heights, Nellie Ihle of near Slater and 18 grandchildren. Three children have preceded him in death--Ross, who died in the prime of his life, Ella at the age of 10, and Gertrude, eight months. He also leaves three brothers, Gabrial, at Minneapolis; and Nels and Cornelius of Glenwood, Minn., and other relatives and a host of dear, loyal friends.

All the children were present at the funeral with the exception of Godelia, who could not come because of illness in the family.

During his long residence in Slater and vicinity Mr. Highland was always loyal to the best interests of the community and neighbors and friends always found him a reliable and trustworthy citizen. He was a member of the Bethlehem church and took part in its activities and was a faithful attendant at its services as long as his health permitted it.