John Marvin FISHER

FISHER, WOODARD, EVANS, ATWOOD, HENDERSON, MCGOWAN, HAURIGAN, AIKINS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/28/2006 at 11:28:30

2 November 1862 – 15 September 1931

JOHN M. FISHER, EARLY SETTLER PASSES AWAY-
Well Known Citizen Yields to Fatal Illness on Tuesday-Will Be Buried This Afternoon

John M. Fisher died at his home on South Commercial Avenue on Tuesday, Sept. 15. He had been in fairly good health until about a year ago when he was taken ill, but his grim determination to carry on regardless of his physical condition permitted him to return to work this past spring and summer. But two weeks ago he began to fail and it was soon seen that the end was not far away. Mr. Fisher was among the early settlers in this locality. He was among the original educators of this vicinity. He was a college graduate and his services as a teacher won constant demand. The Eagle joins the entire community in extending the bereaved children and other relatives and friends their sincerest sympathy in their great hour of sorrow. The following tribute was prepared by the late Mr. Fisher's pastor, the Rev. W. G. Muhlman, and will be read at the service this afternoon.

John Marvin Fisher was born in West Liberty, Muscatine Co., Ia. on Nov. 2 1861, (the son of James M. and Nancy Matilda Fisher). When he was 21 years of age he came to Wright County. He attended Normal Teachers College in Columbus Junction, from which he graduated. It was there he met Miss Marion Woodard. A romance sprang up between them which culminated in their marriage on June 25, 1884. The first year of their married life was spent on the farm near Muscatine, after which they returned to Wright County and settled on the farm now occupied by Martin Larson four and a half mile east of Eagle Grove. Here they raised their family, farmed, and during the winter Mr. Fisher taught school. He taught for many years in Troy and Woolstock townships. Mr. Fisher was a well-read man who never had any trouble to get a school to teach. Once he secured a school by singing "America" over the telephone to a member of the school board. All but the younger of his children went to school with him. There are many who live in this community who were his pupils. He used to ride to and from school on horseback. There were no fences in those days so that he rode across country. One day when he was riding home from his day's work in the schoolroom, he became lost in a blizzard. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fisher. They are: Raymond Fisher, Mrs. Ethel Evans, Miss Maude Fisher, Mrs. Stella Atwood all of Eagle Grove, and Ralph Fisher of Kanawa. They moved from the farm to Eagle Grove on March 1, 1911, and made their home on South Commercial Ave. Mrs. Fisher passed away on Oct. 12, 1922. Mr. Fisher had always been in good health up till a little over a year ago. He had a bad spell but recovered enough to go back to work. He suddenly grew worse again about two weeks ago and passed away Sept. 15, 1931, at the age of 69 years, 10 months, and 13 days. He was a member of the Troy Methodist Church. He confessed Christ as his Saviour and died in that faith. During the years since the death of his wife he has had the pleasure of having his children near him. Miss Maude was the only one left at home and she was faithful and kind in her attentions to him till the end. In addition to the sons and daughters mentioned, he leaves 4 sisters, Mrs. Clarence Henderson of West Liberty, IA, Mrs. Bert McGowan of Silsbee, Tex., Mrs. Tom Haurigan of Melstone, Mont. and Mrs. Harriette Aikins of Washington State; one brother Fred L. Fisher of Greshem, Ore.; eight grandchildren, and in addition, many cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held in the Methodist Church today, Thursday. Rev. W.G. Muhlman will preach the sermon. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Eagle Grove Eagle -- Eagle Grove, Iowa
17 September 1931