J. Frank Leavitt 1847-1903

LEAVITT, CARROLL, RUARK, THERME, KUNTZ, WHITMORE

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 11/30/2001 at 19:04:41

MR. J. FRANK LEAVITT.
Born In New Hampshire July 31
1847 [sic], and Died May 21, 1903
Aged 55 Years

OBITUARY SKETCH

J. Frank Leavitt was born at Sanburton, New Hampshire, July 31, 1847. There he lived until December, 1865, when he came to Iowa and made his home at Bonaparte for about two years. He then returned to New Hampshire.

On the 27th of November 1871 he was married to Miss Lucy A. Carroll at Fishersville, N. H.; and in 1876 he returned with his family to Iowa and resided in Bonaparte for several years. They then moved to Farmington where the family have lived for the last 15 years or up to the time of Mr. Leavitt's death.

He passed from earth to his home in the Spirit World May 21st, at 1 o'clock P.M., aged 55 years, 9 months and 21 days.

The disease that terminated his life was cancer of the tongue and throat. He had been more or less troubled with this disease for about a year and a half but last October it became so bad that he permitted a surgical operation to be performed but this only afforded temporary relief. All the remedies used proved unavailing in curing him of this terrible disease.

Mr. Leavitt's trade was that of a brick mason and there are many buildings in Farmington and surrounding country that will stand for many years as monuments of his workmanship.

He was the father of four children: one son who died in infancy, and three daughters who are living and who were present to bid farewell to their beloved father. The names of the daughters are: Mrs. Isadore Ruark; Mrs. Ada Therme, and Mrs. Mary Kuntz. His wife and mother are still living, also one sister, Mrs. H. A. Whitmore of Bonaparte and one brother, Chas. H. Leavitt of Mt. Zion. There have been ten grandchildren, seven of whom are living.

Mr. Leavitt had full consciousness of his condition until nearly the last moments of his life. He gave directions about his grave, selected his own pall bearers and called his family around him to bid him good-bye. He said that he was not afraid to die; that he had tried to live an honest, upright life, and did not know that he had an enemy in the world. Thus he quietly and peacefully passed away to meet and greet his friends on the other shore.

The funeral services were held at the family residence in Farmington May 24th at 10 o'clock A. M., the Rev. G. C. Goodenough officiating. A large assemblage of relatives, neighbors, and friends attended the funeral to pay the last tribute of respect to the departed and to express their sympathy for the mourning family.

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 4, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA

I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.