Christopher Columbus Steadman 1854-1903

STEADMAN, WEIHER, DEAN, BENNETT

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/19/2001 at 07:38:33

A SAD DEATH
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Christopher Columbus Steadman was born April 15, 1854; died September 12, 1903, aged 49 years, 4 months and 27 days.

Deceased was the second son of James and Elizabeth Steadman, and was the third of the family of seven children.

Just without the confines of our city, on what is known as the "old home place," Mr. Steadman was born and in the years that followed, his residence was never far from the place of his birth.

On January 30, 1887, Mr. Steadman married Miss Martha Weiher and this union was blessed with two children, Edna aged 12 and will the aged 9, who with the mother and wife are left to mourn the departure of one who in life had been kind and gentle.

While yet young in years, deceased assisted his father and elder brother in their work and later, under the careful guardianship of these he developed into a stone cutter and mason of ability, and when maturity was reached he associated with his brother in the profession and since that time the firm name of Steadman Brothers has been a familiar one to our people and stood for excellencey in their line of work.

Deceased was a hard working, honest man, possessed of a friendly disposition and his cheering ways were welcome to everyone. It was not generally known that disease had hastened upon him several years ago and even to the immediate family he never disclosed his real sufferings. Several years ago the heart refused to perform its proper functions and repeatedly since that time he has been subjected to some fear attacks from that weakened member.

On the morning of his death he decided to take his family to the street fair in Farmington and had attended to the team preparatory to the trip. At about 9:15 he was at home and remarked that he felt dizy [sic] and was told to lie down. He had barely reached the sofa when he exclaimed: "My heart has stopped beating and it will never be again." The loving wife hurried to his side before she could realize the seriousness of the case his soul had ceased to inhibit the body. Medical aid was immediately called, but the patient was beyond their assistance.

The shock of the announcement was very great. His brother and fellow worker of years, was even denied the privilege of being there at the last moment. He had gone to the farm on some necessary errand leaving the brother in seemingly good spirits and returned to find him dead.

Mr. Steadman was a quiet, unassuming man, and one whose integrity was unquestioned. He did not care for public life, but chose rather the peacefulness of home, where his spare hours were spent.

He was a charter member of Bonaparte Camp No. 1949, M. W. A. and had always been numbered among the staunch members. When a sick brother demanded attention he was ever present and that was one of the reasons why it seems so hard for his brothers to lay him away Monday. It was a sad duty, but one that was performed was with gentleness, tempered with great love.

The services were held from the home Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock and was attended in a body by the Woodmen and a large concourse of friends. Rev. Ayrault delivered a brief sermon, full of sympathy, after which the Woodmen took charge of the services. The body was laid to rest in the family lot in the new Cemetery.

The floral offerings were profuse.

The Hillsboro camp sent a delegation of 14 members while the other towns were represented at the funeral.

Those left to mourn of the immediate relatives are, the wife and two children, and aged mother, two brothers, W. A. and N. F. Steadman and three sisters, Mrs. Malissa Dean, Mrs. Emma Bennett and Miss Hattie Steadman. He was preceded to the better land by two brothers who died in infancy and the father, who died seven years ago.

The facts relating to the brief life of this man were furnished by his brother and constant companion of almost fifty years, W. A. Steadman, and the manner in which he spoke of his fellow worker was very pathetic and that tribute he paid the memory glowed with the great love and confidence he bore his more than then friend. The life had been a useful one and the manner in which it was spent had been such as to inspire confidence in his behalf. The death leaves a vacancy in a home, in a brothers heart and in the hearts of our people. May he rest in peace.
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I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.