Madden, Robert

MADDEN, MANUS

Posted By: Lorelei Rusco (email)
Date: 11/5/2011 at 12:24:26

Madden, Robert –
Robert Madden was born June 5, 1847 at Fairfield, Iowa and came with his parents, Reuben and Mary Madden, to Union County, Iowa in 1854. His father located on what is now known as the old Madden Homestead and Robert lived there continuously until the date of his death. He was married to Alice Mae Manus in 1879 and she died in 1894, leaving her husband with the care of a family of boys and girls who at that time were of tender years. He died at Lenox Iowa, at the home of his brother John Madden, on September 29
1911 and left surviving him three sons, Earl, Charley and Warren, and one daughter Grace, together with a number of grandchildren. He also left two brothers, John Madden and Ed Madden, and two sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Bauman and Mrs. Martha Zollinger. These all with a host of other relatives and friends mourn his departure, one brother, Reuben Madden, was shot during the Civil War at the battle of Salina River in 1864, was captured by the enemy and died thereafter in prison.

The subject of this sketch had been in failing health for more than a year, and since the death of his daughter Mary which occurred about a year ago, to whom he was much attached, his health failed rapidly, being induced by intense sorrow for her loss, and it seemed as if he could not be comforted.
All that medical assistance and loving hands could do was done in his behalf, but to no avail. After his death he was taken to his old home, the home of himself and that of his father, as it had been his wish that wherever death might ‘ertake him, he wished to spend one night there, and his wishes were respected.

The services were conducted at the church near the home of the deceased by Rev. Miller of Jefferson, Iowa, who was a close friend and former pastor. Rev. Miller spoke in a touching way of the closeness of their friendship, and
told of the many sterling characteristics of the man for whom they mourned. The Masons and Odd Fellows, of which Mr Madden was a member partook in the ceremony at his grave. A large concourse of friends and relatives gathered at the church, and followed the remains to the cemetery near the church, where he had requested that he might be laid to rest. Many and beautiful were the floral offerings that were brought to him as evidence of the love and respect of friends. He rests near the home where he had lived for more than fifty years.

He toiled during his life that he might accumulate property in order that his children might have better advantages than he, and success crowned his efforts. It was a part of his nature to protect those who were entrusted to his care, and this was the object of his life. He had wished to live to see his children enjoy the heritage for which he had toiled but his wish could not be granted. Among his many characteristics, those of determination and self-reliance, and fidelity to his friends were the most marked. He was a loving husband, a generous father and a true friend. His life was identified with the early history of Union county, and through his death the community loses an
honored citizen. And so he has passed from among us, but let us believe that in the silence of the preceding world he heard the great waves breaking on a farther shore and felt already upon his wasted brow the breath of the eternal morning.
Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday October 5, 1911