Herbert Rees

REES, WILLIAMS, CLARK, PHILLIPS, ANDERSON, BENNETT

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/1/2001 at 17:52:06

Herbert Rees died at his home near this city Friday morning, Feb. 17, after an illness of about eight months. He was a pioneer settler in this locality, and was held in high esteem as a citizen. He was 76 years of age, and was a native of Wales, having a family history of which he was pardonably proud. His grandfather, Herbert Rees, for many years held the post of pay-master-sergeant in the British army, which was conferred upon him at the age of 21 years, and which he held until his death at age of 47 years. Richard Rees, the father of deceased, attained the advanced age of 85 years and 6 months.

Herbert Rees emigrated to the United States in the latter part of 1853, landing in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., September 4.

The voyage had been on an American sailing-vessel, the “Jane Glidden.” He had embarked from Bristol on the “American Union,” which was wrecked, and the passengers were taken back to Bristol, re-embarking on the first-named vessel. Mr. Rees was married July 1, 1847, in Wales, to Miss Esther, daughter of Griffith and Charlotte (Williams) Thomas, both of Pembrokshire, South Wales, and of pure Welsh ancestry.

In 1853 Mr. Rees emigrated to Chicago, and for a year was occupied as a gardner. Later he laid out the grounds upon which the Lake View hotel now stands, having been engaged in horiculture [sic] and landscape gardening in his native country. In 1855, leaving Chicago, he proceeded to Clayton Co., Iowa, where he engaged in the nursery business two years. In the latter part of 1857 he came to this county and purchased a farm of 70 acres of highly improved land, and devoted his attention to the production of small fruits and vegetables. With a thorough understanding of his business, he was making of it a success.

Mr. Rees is survived by his widow and eight children, namely: Mrs. Robt. Clark, Julian, Iowa, Richard, Bonaparte, Iowa; John, of White Sulpher Springs, Montana; Mrs. Phillips, of British Colombia; Mrs. Anderson, of Epworth, Iowa; Henry, of Mandam, Y. Dakota; Mrs. Bennett, Waterloo, Iowa, and Charles, of this place. Two daughters, Esther the first, and Flora, are deceased. Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs.Bennett and Richard were present at the obsequies of their father.

The funeral was held Sunday from the residence t the M. E. church in this city, Rev. Kahl, of Elizabeth, officiating. Interment was made in East Dubuque cemetery. – Dubuque Herald.

[Note: Year not given but position in scrapbook suggests 1899]
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Source: Entler Scrapbook Collection, vol 4, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA