Jarvis, Charles 1821 - 1908

JARVIS, HOYT

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/24/2022 at 12:52:22

Source: Decorah Republican May 14, 1908, P2 C6

AFTER FIFTY YEARS.
Death of an Active Pioneer in the County Seat Contest of 1855-6-7
The Spirit Lake Beacon of last week carried an obituary of Charles Jarvis, or “Father Jarvis” as he was familiarly called by those who knew him in his old, old age. There are only a few hereabouts who will recognize in the name a pioneer resident in this county. According to the Beacon’s obituary Mr. J. came to Winneshiek county in 1840, or soon after the Day family settled at what became Decorah. To make history come true he must have located at or near Freeport. His wife was Bessie A. Hoyt, a sister of David and Thomas M. Hoyt. In 1857 (or after the Decorah-Freeport contest for the county seat had ended, and the hopes of Freeport had gone into an eclipse), his family removed to Emmet county, where he acquired a homestead to a quarter section. To this he added by purchase and hard labor another farm of 240 acres, and seven years ago moved into Spirit Lake and became a citizen of whom the ”Beacon” wrote this loving tribute:--
A frequent caller at this office, Father Jarvis’ cheerful disposition was an inspiration to the writer, ever proving a ray of sunshine when business perplexities were depressing. No man ever crossed the Beacon’s threshold who was more warmly welcomed by the entire force than Father Jarvis.
Mr. J. was eighty-seven years old the 4th of last March, and was the third settler that located in Emmet township, Emmet county, in 1857.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he was born March 4, 1821 and died May 6, 1908. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Estherville, IA.