Cartwright, George Edmund Newsam Dr. 1818 – 1900

CARTWRIGHT, CLARKE, CARTWRIGHT-JONES

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:44

Source: Decorah Republican Apr. 12, 1900 P 2 C 3

THE WORK OF THE REAPER.
Last Friday while the funeral rites were being observed at the Willett family residence, in the nearest adjoining home another old settler was passing slowly from mortality into immortality.
George Edmund Newsam Cartwright, as he was christened, whom this community has for nearly thirty years intimately known as Dr. E. Cartwright, was the son of Richard Cartwright, born at Leicester, England, Dec. 22d, 1818, and was the last one of a family of twelve children. He was educated in King’s college, London, England, and after serving an apprenticeship as a chemist, studied medicine and graduated from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, London. While yet a young man he came to this continent in charge of a sailing vessel, at a time when six weeks was the sailing time. During the passage small pox broke out, thereby giving to him an unpleasant but valuable experience ere he escaped from quarantine.
At Elora, Canada, Sept. 11th, 1848, he married Jane Winter Clarke, who was his beloved companion for all the the{sic} ensuing years. The early period of their married life were spent in Hamilton, Canada, where their five children were born. These are Charles Cartwright, of Carters, Cal., Dr. Richard Cartwright, of Salem, Oregon, George Cartwright, of New Salem, N. D., Mrs. Jennie Cartwright-Jones, of Chicago, and Miss Lillian, who remains at home with her mother. Another daughter (Fannie) died in 1878.
In 1857 the family came to Iowa, and located in Floyd county, where the doctor practiced over the wide prairie reaching from Charles City to Rockford. Subsequently they went to Waukon, and came to Decorah in 1872, where he has since resided.
From early life Dr. Cartwright was an earnest churchman, and throughout all his residence in this city he has been known for his devotion to his church and faith. He was also active in his political relations. As soon as possible after determining to make a home in the United States he became a citizen. During the war of the Rebellion his affilliations were with the Republican party, and remained such until, in process of time, the tariff question caused a readjustment of relationships. His early training in his native land led him to favor freedom of trade, and his affilliations turned to the Democratic party as the bettor representative of his opinions. Being a man of wide reading and positive opinions his sentiments in both religion and politics were held with boldness and force; no one ever doubted where he stood. Correct habits, temperate living and a deep love of nature combined to give the deceased unusual vigor, and not until he had reached his eightieth birthday did age appear to tell on him. A heart weakness existed which occasionally troubled him and caused slight illnesses, but none of a serious nature until Sunday, the 12th day of November, when a very violent attack of convulsions occurred to him. From this attack he recovered mentally, but not physically. As the weeks passed by it became evident that ultimate recovery was impossible. A recurrence took place on the 2d of April that indicated that the end was nearing, and on Sunday, the 8th inst., at 3:30, rest and release came to Dr. Cartwright at the age of 81 years, 3 months and 16 days. Funeral services were held on Tuesday from Grace church. Rev. John B. Van Fleet, the rector, officiating.

Source: Decorah Republican Apr. 26, 1900 P 4 C 4

Three Pioneers go together.
In commenting upon the death of Dr. Cartwright the Waukon Standard notes as an unusual coincidence the death of Wm. Brownell, a pioneer of ’57, on the 12th, and Rev. Walter Delafield in Chi-ago, on the 11th. The latter was a banker in Waukon. The Cartwrights and Brownells were neighbors in Elora, Canada, prior to coming to Iowa; and Dr. Delafield was the donor, or procured the gift, to the Episcopal church in Waukon of the bell that was removed to Decorah and now hangs in Grace church tower.

Phelps Cemetery
 

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