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Culter, Ezekiel Hon. 1827 - 1893

CULTER, CUTLER, BRIGHAM

Posted By: Allison Lawrence (email)
Date: 7/4/2021 at 20:17:15

Source: The Decorah Republican November 2, 1893 P 5 C 2

Hon. Ezekiel Culter, ex-Auditor of the county, died yesterday afternoon of acute pneumonia, after an illness of a week’s duration. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon 12 o’clock – possibly form the Congregational church. The bell will indicate. A fuller sketch of his life is deferred until another week.

Source: The Decorah Republican November 9, 1893 P 5 C 3

At his home in Decorah, on the afternoon of Nov 1st, EZEKIEL CUTLER, passed into rest, in his 66th year.

Mr. Cutler was born in Waterford, Vt., April 26th, 1827. His early experiences were those of a rugged son of toil on a Vermont farm. He early sought the advantages of an education, and by farm work in the summer and school teaching at other seaons, he literally worked his wy up to a preparation for college, and subsequently through a course at the University of Vermont, at Burlington, teaching more or less each year in order to pay his way. After graduating he went to western New York, and for a brief time was principal of an academy near Buffalo. But he had the legal profession in his mind for a life occupation, and he shortly entered a law office in the latter city, and was admitted ot the bar in 1855. Coming west he found an attractive location at Anamosa, where he settle and entered into successful practice. In 1857 he married Miss Sarah E. Brigham, of Keseville, New York, who with three children – Frank J., of Oregon, Mary B., and Horace, who are both at home – survive him.

When the War of the Rebellion broke out Mr. Cutler dropped the best law practice in his county, and patriotically enlisted in the 31st Iowa Infantry. Such was his standing and influence that when the regiment was officered he was made its major. He and his regiment were immediately plunged into the awful perils of the Mississippi river campaign, and although he remained in the service less than a year the privations undergone were such as to fasten upon him a lung difficulty which lasted through his life, impaired his physical stamina, and several times brought him so close to death’s door, that his recovery was almost a miracle. In this respect he was one of thousands who sacrificed health and business success to his patriotism.

While living in Anamosa he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for that Judicial District, and was also chosen to a vacancy in the State Senate, serving one session. While absent in the army and recovering his broken health, others stepped in and secured the position he had occupied as the leading attorney, and in 1866 he came to Decorah. Here he immediately met warm friends. In 1867 he was elected County Judge, and by the establishment of the office of County Auditor, and the abolishment of the office of County Judge, he stepped from on e office to the other, by operation of law, and became the first Auditor of the county. Twice he was re-elected, serving with capability and fidelity. After his retirement he devoted himself to law and insurance, chiefly the latter, because his infirmities forbade the hard work that successful pursuit of the former involved.

He was a Republican from principle; a devoted member of the Congregational church, in which he served many years as Deacon and a faithful member of Col. Hughes Post, G.A.R. One of the positions from which he will be most missed is that of member of the Decorah Board of Education. For many years his devoition to this work was continuous and arduous – given ungrudgingly, without reward, because of his unflagging interest in the cause of education and the welfare of youth. It is unnecessary for us to speak of what he was as a private citizen, a husband a father. In all these rleations his life was open, known and read of all men. He rests from his labors, and verily his works do follow him.

Funeral services were held at the Congregational church, Rev. John Willard coming here from Chicago to officiate. The bearers were Messrs. Cadwell, Portman, E.L. Beard, C.V. Lloyd, Coffeen and Townsley.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a grave shows the deceased was born in 1827 and is buried at Phelps Cemetery.

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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