PIKE, RALPH C. 1837-1895

PIKE, BURDICK, ELVIDGE, HALL, HUNTER, COLLINS, GRAVES, TILLSON

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 3/27/2021 at 12:12:22

Decorah Public Opinion, Friday, Nov 22, 1895, Decorah, IA, Page: 4

DIED

RALPH C. PIKE-Of typhoid fever, at his home in this city, Monday morning at 2:40 o’clock, at the age of 57 years and 7 months.

Mr. Pike was born in Shenangen County, New York, on the 18th day of April, 1837, where he lived for four years; and then removed to Whitewater, Walworth County, Wisconsin. In the year of 1856 he moved to Decorah, and in the year 1857 married Miss Hariette Burdick. After he was married he lived eighteen years at Northwood, Iowa, but for the past twelve or thirteen years he has been a resident of Decorah. For a number of years he was a member of the grocery firm of Pike & Elvidge. While engaged in the grocery business here he also acted as agent for the United States Express Company. Three years ago when his business partner, Mr. Henry Elvidge, was elected Clerk of the Court, they sold out the grocery store, and Mr. Pike turned his attention to the care of the United States Express Company’s business here, and in connection handled the business for a few Insurance companies.

He was a prominent member of the Odd Fellow Lodge here, and was a hard worker for the good of the order.

The funeral services were held at his late residence on Main Street, the address being made by Rev. D. L. Hillard. The Odd Fellows Lodge had charge of the ceremonies, and marched in a body to the grave.

Mr. Pike was a man of sterling worth and was respected by all who knew him. He leaves a wife, and aged mother, a sister, and a daughter to mourn his loss.

Those from aboard attending the funeral were his daughter, Mrs. Will Hall, husband and daughter Zoe, from Grand Forks, N. D.; a sister, Mrs. Wm. Hunter, and her husband, from Northwood, Iowa; a niece, Mrs. Ed. Collins, and her husband, from Northwood, Iowa; a step-brother, Mr. Howard Graves, and his wife, from Estherville, Iowa; and a niece, Mrs. W. H. Tillson, and her husband, from Cresco, Iowa.

The PUBLIC OPINION extends its most heartfelt sympathies to the relatives in their bereavement.

Added by Joy Moore March 27, 2021

Source: Decorah Republican Nov. 21, 1895 P 1 C 4

RALPH C. PIKE.
Died November 18th, at 2:45 A. M., aged 68 years, 7 months.
Last week this paper mentioned with gladness the improvement in health and probable recovery of Ralph C. Pike. This week it is compelled with grief to record his death. This event occurred at fifteen minutes before three last Monday morning-.
Mr. Pike was taken sick four weeks ago last Saturday. His illness was not alarming. It was only malaria with typhoid symptoms. Dr. Daubney was called in, but the fever proved obstinate and ran its course. At the end of twenty-one days he awoke from its delirium, himself again. A period of improvement set in, and last Saturday he was rejoicing in the prospect of getting up, for a little while at least, the next day. A change for the worse began that afternoon and was first noticed in a partial paralysis of one arm. At midnight he was siezed with sharp pains and a severe nervous attack. In fact the entire nervous system seemed broken down. His physician was called but apparently recognized a phase of his disease which foretold the result that was reached at the hour above stated.
Ralph C. Pike was born in Sherburne, Chenango County, N. Y., April 18th, 1837, but came with his parents to Whitewater, Wis., in 1840. There all the years of his boyhood and early manhood were spent. In 1856 he came to Iowa, and in the following year he married Miss Hattie Burdick. For several years he served under T. W. Burdick as Deputy County Treasurer and Recorder, and thereby acquired a wide and favorable acquaintance with those then living in the county. In 1865 he went to Northwood to engage in the banking business. During the eighteen years he lived there he earned a warm friendship from all who know him. In 1882 he came back to Decorah and engaged in various occupations, chiefly merchandising, until he became agent of the U. S. Express Co., which position he filled until taken sick, and held until he died. When the change for the worse came his only daughter, Mrs. Myra Hall, of Grand Forks, was summoned by telegraph, and although she came at once death had intervened ere she arrived. Besides the wife and daughter, his surviving near relatives are his aged mother, Mrs. Gaylord Graves, and Mrs. Wm. Hunter, his only sister, both living at Northwood.
The deceased has always been a useful, enterprising citizen, an earnest, active Republican in politics, and a man whose principles and motives were always on the side of the pure and true. He was an ardent member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity, being one of ten who revived the lodge in this city after its charter had lapsed and had indeed been formally surrendered. He had filled its offices of honor, and none of the brotherhood have been more faithful to its interests. Few have exemplified as fully in his daily walk the spirit of Friendship, Love and Truth, which is the central idea of the order.
Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon, Rev. D. L. Hilliard officiating at the house, after which his brethren took charge and bore him to his last resting place, consigning him to mother earth according to the ritual of the order.

Transcriber's Note: His gravestone in Phelps Cemetery shows he died in 1897 which is obviously in error.

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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