Hiram Williamson 1850 - 1903

WILLIAMSON, HOUSEWERT

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/30/2016 at 12:23:42

Death Claims Another Pioneer
Hiram Williamson Succumbs to Apoplexy After A Long and Painful Illness

Hiram Williamson, one of the early settlers of Monona County and a man who enjoyed a wide acquaintance in Monona and western Woodbury Counties, died at his home near Holly Springs at 1 o’clock Monday morning, of apoplexy, following an illness of some three months’ duration.

The remains were brought to Sloan for interment, the funeral being held from the Congregational Church Tuesday afternoon. The services were in charge of the Modern Woodmen of America, of which order deceased was an honored and respected member. Members of the Holly Springs Camp of this order, who during his illness had remembered him by many acts of neighboring kindness, assisted the local camp in the services, while the religious exercises were conducted by Rev. H.K. Hawley.

In reviewing the life and character of the deceased we cannot do better than use the words so fitting spoken by Rev. Hawley, as follows:

“Hiram Williamson was born in Huntington County, Pa., March 28, 1850. In 1865 he moved with his parents to Rockford, Illinois, where he remained until 1872, when he moved to western, Iowa. He first settled in Mapleton, Monona County, but moved to Sloan in 1876. He had since lived in this vicinity until a year ago when he removed to the neighborhood of Holly Springs, where he died February 23, 1903.

“Mr. Williamson was the second son of Joshua and Mary Williamson. He belonged to the sturdy stock which has helped make America what it is today. His father, who still survives him, traces his ancestry to German parentage, while on the mother’s side he received the staunch Scotch-Irish blood which has helped so much to give firmness and character to our American institutions. He inherited the legacy of good Presbyterian training for many generations.

“Just before coming to Iowa Mr. Williamson married Miss Maggie Housewert, of Rockford, Illinois. They had two sons, the eldest of whom, Frank, died at the age of thirteen, Guy, the younger, still survives him. Hiram was the second of seven brothers. Four still survive. Two have been laid to rest in our cemetery in the recent past. Two sisters also mourn the loss of a kind and thoughtful brother.”

“Mr. Williamson was a good citizen, a most generous neighbor. No one called upon him for help or service which was in his power to give, and was turned away empty. Always quick to appreciate need and generous in his sympathy, he made friends whenever he was known. Of a jovial, hearty disposition he made a good comrade and a faithful friend. Reared in the helpful influences of a large family, he early learned unselfish within his home. This habit of unselfish brotherhood became a characteristic of the man. In the times of bereavement and sorrow, which have been all too frequent in this family, Hiram was a support and a comfort.

“Within his own home ha has been the kindest of husband and father.

“For many years he was a most faithful helper in the singing in the Congregational Church of Sloan.

“You who knew him have lost a faithful friend. It was the good fortune of many of you to know him better than I. Years alone prove a friendship. Let us remember him as he was, a good citizen, a faithful friend, a loving brother, a devoted husband a father.”

Following the ceremonies at the church, the remains were interred in the Sloan Cemetery with the Woodmen’s honors.

No man in this community was more widely known or more generally esteemed than the deceased. He numbered among his friends everyone with whom his life had brought him in contact and his death is mourned as a personal loss by all in the community.

To the bereaved and grief stricken relatives the honest, sincere, and heartfelt sympathy of the many friends of the family is extended.