Jacob M. Corwin

CORWIN, SLEE, LUECKEL

Posted By: Volunteer - Rhonda Rankin Rowe
Date: 1/31/2002 at 14:39:29

Witness of Lincoln tragedy, Farmington man, is dead.

When Jacob M. Corwin, for many years one of the prominent citizens of Farmington, died late Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 2, in a Ft. Madison hospital, one of the few remaining witnesses of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln had passed on. The night of the great tragedy Mr. Corwin was in the Ford theater in Washington, and while he was not looking at the presidential box when the history-making shot was fired, the noise of the report drew his attention to the Lincoln box, and he saw Booth jump from the box to the stage and make his escape. Mr. Corwin was at the time in Washington on leave, he having recently seen service with his troops in nearby Virginia territory.

Mr. Corwin had been a resident of Farmington constantly since the war until a few years ago, when he went to Ft. Madison to make his home with his niece, Mrs. Nellie Lueckel. His death was the result of a stroke of paralysis. His wife had preceded him in death many years. He is survived by one son, George Corwin of Paris, Ill., and a daughter, Mrs. John Slee, who lives in Southern California. His age was 86 years.

The deceased was always prominent and highly respected in Farmington. He was a leader in the Odd Fellows lodge and a member of that order for maore than fifty years. During his active life he was prominent in republican political circles, and until the disbanding of the Farmington G.A.R. post was a leader in its councils.

Funeral services will probably be held in Farmington (remainder of article missing.)

Source; Iowa Rankin and Jenny Matheson newspaper clippings