Otto W. STOREY

STOREY, STORY, CARVER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/2/2010 at 11:34:37

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa
March 7, 1888

Otto W. Story Dead - this most excellent man, and highly esteemed pioneer settler of Hamilton county, died at this home in Cass Township, last night after a brief illness. Obituary next week.

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Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa
March 14, 1888

The late O. W. Story was born May 24, 1824, in Chatauqua County, New York, and died March 7, 1888, married to Phebe Carver, August 5, 1847, and emigrated to Tama County, Iowa in 1852, and came to Hamilton County, in 1854, where he lived to the day of his death. The writer became acquainted with Mr. Story in the fall of 1855, and has seen much of him ever since. He came from Steuben County, Indiana to Tama County, Iowa and to Hamilton County in 1854. He always lived on the same farm in Cass Township that he bought when he first came to the county. He industrious, peaceful and kind to all, minded his own business never meddling with other affairs, never quarreled nor had a law suit from the time he came here to the time of his death. I doubt if the same can be said of any other man that has lived more than 33 years in one place. He has enjoyed unusual good health most of the time up to the hour of his death.

The day before he died March 6, 1888 he was in Webster City on business, he came home and done his chores as usual, and retired that night apparently as well as ever. The next morning as the clock struck five o'clock his wife remarked " It is five o'clock " He answered " Yes", and turned over on his side and breathed as one sleeping soundly. His wife spoke of getting up, got no answer, attempted to awake him, but could not. His breathing seemed quite difficult. She became alarmed, and called for the son who was sleeping upstairs and before he could come down stairs the soul of the good man had gone to God, who gave it. He passed off without a struggle. The community was shocked and dumb when the news went from house to house and we all realized that death had taken one of our best neighbors without a moments warning.

He left four sons and one daughter, "Park and Norman" are in business in Norfolk, Nebr. Bryon lives in Webster City, Emery is at home, and Miss Ella is one of the best teachers. Mr. Story was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for nearly 40 years and a consistent christian in all walks of life.

His word was as good as a written promise with all who knew him. He accumulated considerable property, had a good home a highly respectable family, many friends and no enemies. He was a strong prohibitionist, a peaceable citizen, a good provider for his family, a pillar in the church, and a man that we all would do well to patter after. We bow our heads in humble submission and say "He's gone but not forgotten, only remembered by what he has done."