Thomas Williams Haney 1845-1936

HANEY, DICKERSON

Posted By: Volunteer: Roxanne Riggan
Date: 6/1/2012 at 15:05:58

OBITUARY

THOMAS WILLIAMS HANEY

On May 1, 1845, a son, who was christened Thomas Williams Haney, was born to Thomas Haney and Elizabeth Dickerson Haney.
Mr. Haney grew to manhood in Van Buren County and departed this life in the early morning of April 8, 1936, being at the time of his death 90 years, 11 months and 7 days old.

It is worth while to note the extensive observation of the growth of Iowa, and which this individual has been permitted to observe. Iowa was still a territory when he was born and he has seen the growth of Iowa from pioneer times to our present condition.
His observation includes the change from ox-teams on the farm to tractors; the change from mere paths as roads to pavements; from messengers to telephones; from candle light to electric lights; from knife and saw to anesthetics and x-rays, and many other articles of advancement and improvement that might be mentioned.

At an early age he had the desire to obtain an education, which at that time was hard to do. He attended the rural school and because of his inability to purchase books to enter a more advanced school, he returned to the rural school and reviewed the subjects which he had studied before. Working out for some of our neighbors, he was able to purchase books and entered the Troy Academy and after finishing that school he became a teacher, which vocation he followed for 20 years. During the summer he farmed and for 45 years he was reporter for the Government on crop conditions.
In November 26, 1869 he was --------- (obit cuts off here then continues on next page)

In the fall of 1896, Mr. Haney was elected to the office of County Auditor, as a Republican. He was re-elected for the second term, and later Deputy Auditor under C. C. Rambo.
In the fall of 1896 he purchased the property, adjoining Keosauqua on the West, which he has occupied during the last 40 years as his home.

Early in life he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been a constant supporter since that time. He took his church vows seriously. He was a Bible student; attended the regular church services, and also Sunday school, and was Sunday school teacher for many years.

About 10 years ago he suffered a paraletic stroke and while he had gained his health to some extent, nevertheless he has been practically an invalid since that time.

During all his life he has stressed the idea if being a good neighbor, and thought that was one of the essential things required of a man, and because of that fact, his last days were happy.

He often referred to himself as an old-timer, and notwithstanding the advancement of the times, he had no desire to throw off the ideas and manners of that period.

He was a good husband a good father and a good citizen and while the last ten years of his life, his influence was limited because of his physical infirmities, nevertheless his influence will live on for good.
In governmental affairs he always asked himself this question; if this proposition prevails, will it be for the best interests of the greatest number?

Funeral services were held from the Haney home in Keosauqua Friday afternoon April 10, at 2 o’clock in charge of his pastor Rev. M. E. Hayes.
Interment in Sunnyside cemetery in Milton.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Scrapbook A, page 380, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA