TODD, William S. 1861-1886

TODD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/18/2025 at 16:10:54

William S. Todd
(August 10, 1861 – June 14, 1886)

Worth County Index, Thursday, June 24, 1886, p.4
Obituary
William S. Todd, only son of William Todd of Bristol, was born at that place August 10, 1861; died of quick consumption at the Fox House, Mason City, Iowa, June 14, aged 24 years, 10 months and 4 days. The deceased was a most worthy young man, faithful and true in every relation of life. He grew up in this county, working on the farm in summer and attending school in winter. That which can be said of very few young men may be truly said of him – he was a “home body,” and a youth of high aims and clean life, who always kept good company and never learned the taste of liquor. After arriving at man’s estate, he clerked one year at Manly, and since that time has taught four or five terms of school, always doing good work and giving universal satisfaction. It was while going to his school on one of the stormiest days of last winter that he caught the terrible cold which resulted in his death. In the forlorn hope of receiving benefit by change he left Bristol for Colorado just one week before his death. He arrived at Denver three days after, but hopeless of obtaining relief and longing to be once more with the loved ones at home, he started almost immediately on the home journey which was never to be finished here. Monday evening, June 14th, utterly exhausted and dying, he was taken from the train at Mason City, and there an hour later he peacefully breathed his last. His funeral service was observed at the Bristol school house last Thursday, Rev. Farcher, of Lake Mills, making a tender and impressive address. It is seldom that Worth County has been called upon to mourn the loss of a young man more universally beloved and respected. We sympathize deeply with the afflicted father and only sister. The latter sends the following touching lines for publication: Peaceful be thy silent slumber, peaceful in the grave so low. Thou no more wilt join our number, thou no more our songs shalt known. Dearest brother, thou hast left us; here thy loss we deeply feel; but ‘tis God that hath bereft us, he can all our sorrows heal. Yet again we hope to meet thee, when the day of life is fled. Then in heaven, with joy to greet thee, where no farewell tear is shed.