PETTITT, Daniel C.

PETTITT

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 7/26/2015 at 06:53:52

DEATH CLAIMS ITS OWN
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Ex-Sheriff Crossed the Dark River.
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DEATH CAME UNEXPECTEDLY
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Was a Successful Business Man and Good Officer and Citizen - Burial at Birmingham Sunday Afternoon.

Our town was shocked and saddened Saturday morning by the announcement of the death of ex Sheriff Daniel C. Pettitt, which occurred at 3:45 o'clock Saturday morning. Mr. Pettitt's condition Friday was not apparently much worse than it had been for several days; however about 10 p.m. had had a sinking spell from which he could not rally. He remained unconscious until 3.45 in the morning when he passed away. Resides with his daughter and Mrs. Creamer, J.W. Burns, J.P. Starr and perhaps others were present when the end came. Death was caused by dropsy and heart trouble.

The funeral took place Sunday. A short service was held here Sunday morning at 9 o'clock conducted by Rev. C.(E. Perki)ns. The remains were then taken to Birmingham where services were held in the M.E. church at 2 o'clock. When the funeral cortege reached Birmingham the church was already filled to overflowing. Mr. J.P. Starr, the noble grand of the I.O.O.F. lodge here, read Rev. Mr. Perkins funeral address at Birmingham, and the lodge had charge of the burial. Members of the lodge here were pallbearers as follows: Messrs. David Clemens, R.P. Ramsey, J.M. Overman, J.K. Matheson, J.W. Burns, J.W. Shaffer.

The four former went to Birmingham.

Others who accompanied the remains besides Miss Pettit and Mrs. Creamer were Mesdames R.V. Lawson and J.M. Overman and Messrs. Elsie Jamison, J.P. Starr, J.C. Calhoun, W.T. Holbert, H.L. McGrew, J.S. Bell, H.H. Marriott and Wm. Cooksey.

The roads were in a very bad condition, the atmosphere was cold and raw, and the journey was a very uncomfortable as well as a sad one. The party returned to Keosauqua about 6 o'clock, except Miss Pettitt, who will remain at Birmingham a week or more.

(possibly a piece missing) the 1st of January, 1964, Mr. Pettitt veternized and was therefore granted furlough. When the time had expired he went to Memphis, Tenn., where he was attached to A.J. Smith's corps and participated in the battles of Guntown, Tupelo and Oxford. He spent part of the winter in Louisville, Ky., and then newly equipped, started on the Wilson raid, in which he took part in the engagements of Monte Valley, Platersville, Selma and Columbus, Ga. He was mustered out at Atlanta and discharge Aug. 20, 1865, at Davenport, after serving three years and eight months.

At the close of the war Mr. Pettitt returned to Birmingham, the home of the family, and in the course of time engaged in the agricultural implement business, in which he was successful, and at the time of his coming to Keosauqua he had an implement house at Birmingham and one at Anita, Cass county. In this business his fair dealings and good management won him the confidence and respect of the community.

In 1897, Mr. Pettitt was nominated for sheriff of this county. This nomination was not only unsought, but it was made against his will. However he accepted and was elected and served four years. Mr. Ramsey, the present sheriff, was Mr. Pettitt's deputy during the last year of his term. Mr. Pettitt was a good officer. He didnt go out of his way to court or conciliate anybody, but stood always upon the basis of fairness and justice to all and of his own conscious integrity. He commanded respect to all.

After his term of service as sheriff Mr. Pettitt remained here and bought property. He engaged in the hardware business with C.W. Casner for a couple of years. Before disposing of this business his health began to fail, and the enfeeblement had been continuous up to about Dec. 1, when he became confined to his house most of the time. Dec. 16 was the last time he was out, the occasion being the installation of his daughter, Miss Iva M. Pettitt, as noble grand of the Rebekah lodge of this place.

Oct. 31, 1867, Mr. Pettitt was joined in wedlock with Miss Sarah J. Deahl, a native of Pennsylvania. One child was born to them to them, which died in infancy; but, they adopted their neice, Miss Iva M. Mrs. Pettitt died in 1901. Miss Iva M. Pettitt, a most estimable young lady, is now the only surviving member of the family.

Mr. Pettitt was an upright citizen, a genial, faithful friend, an affectionate husband and father. His passing to the other world leaves a void in our county and town as well as in his own household which can never be filled.

**Special Note: This article appears to be spliced so I have done what I felt necessary to put together properly. **
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BIOGRAPHICAL.

Daniel C. Pettitt was born in Clark county, Ind., August 17, 1843. His father, Geo. R. Pettitt, was born in Indiana, and his mother, whose maiden name was Martha J. Davis, was a native of Kentucky. They began their domestic life in Indiana, which continued to be their home until 1844, at which time they crossed the Mississippi into the Territory of Iowa.

Mr. Pettitt was one of a family of three children. His early life was unmarked by any event of special interest. On the 9th of March, 1862, at the age of 18, he enrolled his name among the boys in blue of Company H., Third Iowa Calvary. The two following years were spent mostly in skirmishing in Missouri and Arkansas. While stationed in Mexico, Mo., Daniel and another boy went to get the former's horse; which had run away, as they supposed, to a farm about two miles distant, but on reaching that place (missing)

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book E, Page 107, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA

Van Buren Obituaries maintained by Rich Lowe.
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