Freeman, Chauncey William 1834 - 1931

FREEMAN, POLLITT, HAINES, BONDY

Posted By: Norman Hjelmeland (email)
Date: 1/28/2022 at 11:26:05

Chauncey Williams Freeman, Decorah's oldest resident, died Friday, May 29, 1931, at 10 a.m. Death was due to old age. The funeral service was conducted at the Congregational church by Dr. J.P. Burling Sunday. The burial was in charge of the Masons, Grant Bollman conducting them in an impressive manner.

Mr. Freeman was born in Rahway, New Jersey, July 19, 1834, so was nearly 97 years old. He received most of his schooling at a Quaker school in Ohio. In 1864 he married Martha Pollitt. The wedding took place at the home of the grandparents of Mrs. E.R. Haines and Mrs. Nelle Bondy of this city in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. Freeman became the parents of three children. Two died in infancy. One son, A. Ward Freeman, died in this city Oct 27, 1918. Mr. Freeman's wife died on Dec 11 the same year. Mr. Freeman had nine brothers and one sister, all of whom preceded him in death.

Mr. Freeman came to Decorah with his brother, Robert, in the early fifties. He soon engaged in the dry goods business with his brother-in-law, the firm being Perkins & Freeman. From here Mr. Freeman moved to Brookfield, Mo., which was his home about 30 years. He conducted a dry goods business there and was postmaster under Cleveland. He became the agent of the Milwaukee Mechanies Insurance Co.; he was followed by his son, Ward, and now the latter's widow has the agency, fifty years later.

When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Freeman was in San Antonio, Texas. He rode horseback to Brookfied, Mo., where he took a train to Decorah. He here joined the army, entering the commissary department.

In 1894, Mr. Freeman returned to Decorah, He built the building now occupied by the Motor Supply Co. In 1895 he retired from active business.

Mr. Freeman was the oldest Mason in Iowa. He was made a Mason in Decorah in 1857 and the Masonic apron given to him 74 years ago was buried with him Sunday. He became a Knight Templar in 1869.

Mr. Freeman was a man of kindly disposition, even temper, and agreeable manner. He was held in high regard in Decorah. In spite of the fact that most of the friends of his young manhood and middle age were dead, he made new friends, and to the end of his life had many of them.

Decorah Journal, June 3, 1931

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen