George W. Jack 1834-1908

JACK, HART, BROWN

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 11/10/2004 at 13:45:16

George W. Jack.

George W. Jack, among the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Van Buren county, died at his home in Bentonsport, Wednesday afternoon, the 8th last. The funeral took place Sunday at 3 P.M. from the home, being conducted by Rev. Chas. E. Perkins of the Keosauqua Congregational church. Members of the Masonic fraternity of Keosauqua and also from Bentonsport, Bonaparte and Farmington escorted the remains to the graves where the ritual of respect was read by Prof. David Williams of Keosauqua.

Music at the home as furnished by the following members of the Keosauqua Congregational choir: - *********? H. F. Duckworth and Oscar McCrary and Messrs H. F. Duckworth and C.E. Perkins. There was a very large attendance. The following biographical sketch prepared by one of the *** was read by Mr. Perkins in connection with his address:

George Washington Jack was born Nov. 2, 1834, in Morgan county, Ohio. There were twelve children in the family and three survived their brother, viz: Lydia Ann of Parkersville, Ala., J. Thompson of Ft. Madison, Ia., and Eva of Amity, Oregon.

In 1836? Mr. Jack came to Van Buren county and settled at Vernon, where he worked at his trade stone cutting. Later he sold paper for the Bentonsport woolen mills. He move from Vernon to Bentonsport in 1861. In 1867 he engaged in the mercantile business and followed in continuously for sixteen years.

In the fall of 1881 he moved to the farm adjoining town which remained his home for the rest of his life with the exception for three years during which he was engaged in business in Keosauqua and another two years in Bonaparte where he also conducted a mercantile business.

February 4, 1859?, he was married to Elizabeth Hart and to this union eight children were born, viz: - Delbert A., John W., Ella L., Edwin F., George L., Clara E., Chester C., and Albert. All survive their father except Ella L. and Chester C.

The loving wife and mother of these children died March 29, 1882, at the age of 43 years, 7 months, and 28 days.

January 4, 1887, Mr. Jack was married to Mary E. Brown, who survives her husband. A loving Christian woman she was indeed a mother to the large family of children and she made his later life one of sunshine, joy and happiness.

Mrs. Jack held many positions of honor and trust among his fellow citizens. He was an earnest, consecrated Christian and for almost a lifetime was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was also an enthusiastic Free Mason and for many years served the Bentonsport lodge as its Master.

The end of earth for him came peacefully Wednesday evening, April 7, at 5:*0 o’clock, so peacefully that it reminded of Bryant’s lines, of “one who wraps the drapery of his conch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams.”

[parts of this clipping difficult to read - position in scrapbook would suggest the year of 1908, and Wednesday was on the 8th]

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA