EASTER, Zachary Taylor: 1847-1911

EASTER, KECK

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 12/23/2013 at 13:16:35

Obituary of Taylor Easter

Zachary Taylor Easter was born in Fayette county, Pa., May 24, 1847, and died Sept. 20, 1911, (his 30th wedding anniversary), at home one mile west of Utica, Iowa, his age being 64 years, 3 months and 27 days. He came to Iowa in 1871, but soon went to Chicago, where he was employed for several years by the Marsh Harvesting Co., later manager of the Dist. Telephone Co. Sept. 20, 1881, he was married to Miss Rose Ella Keck, daughter of Hon. J.A. Keck and wife, residents near Utica. For a short time Mr. and Mrs. Easter lived in Chicago, came from there to Iowa, and then to Kansas in 1882, where they lived until 1898, when they returned to Iowa. Later they moved to the state of Washington where they lived for a year, and then came back to this state, residing in Harrisburg township until they purchased the Henry Warner farm, near Utica, five years ago, which has since been their home and where they lived when death called the husdand(sp)a few days ago.

Taylor Easter was a noble man. He was a loving husband, a kind neighbor and an honorable citizen. Everybody liked him and he was worthy of the esteem in which he was held by all his acquaintances. He was a member of the Methodist church and was faithful to his profession.

He was one of fourteen children, eight boys and six girls, eight of whom are living, and who, along with the loving wife, are left to mourn for the departed husband and brother. Two brothers, Charles of this county, and John of Albia, this state, were at his bedside when death came.

The funeral services were at the Methodist church in Utica, Sept. 22, the sermon being by Rev. C.E. Ward; of Fairfield, the interment being in the Spencer cemetery northeast of Stockport. The pall bearers were Judson and Elmer Keck, John Dodds, B.F. Collais and James M. and S.B. Johnston.
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A large circle of the friends of Mr. Z.T. Easter were sorely grieved when they heard of his serious and sudden illness. He grew worse so very rapidly that it seemed impossible to do anything. He called Dr. Morris & Morris Sunday, Called council Monday and decided on an operation, calling Dr. Armentrout of Keokuk who came Monday evening and made an incision for appendicitis, but found the appendix completely rotted away; also the bowel adjoining was decomposed and other troubles, sufficient to kill an ordinary man. It was deemed unnecessary to attempt the operation so the incision was closed and the send awaited which came near 11 o'clock Tuesday. The interment was at the Spencer cemetery Thursday noon. Mr. Easter was a good man and was highly respected and his wife has the sympathy of a host of friends.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 383, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA