Levi Churchill GENSMAN

GENSMAN, MCCANNON, BLIM, SPICER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/16/2012 at 18:53:17

12 February 1835 --- 22 April 1917

The lifeless body of L. C. Gensman was found about 3 o’clock Sunday morning by searchers a few rods from his front door. While probably in a delirium, Mr. Gensman had dressed and left the house. The sudden rupture of a blood vessel below the heart had caused his death. The funeral was held from the Baptist church Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. O. Staples. Mr. Gensman had been in poor health for some years. Only two weeks ago, however, he had returned home from a visit with his daughter at Waterloo and had been up and about the house since, his condition apparently being improved. Saturday he was weaker, but his condition not alarming. The family retired early that night. About 2 o’clock Sunday morning a daughter, Mrs. McCannon of Des Moines, woke up and went to her father’s room to see if he was all right. He was not in the room and she aroused the family. Neighbors were also notified and searching parties formed. An hour later the body was found.

Mr. Gensman was past 82 years of age, having been born February 12, 1835 in Boston, N. Y. In the early fifties the family moved to Wright county Iowa. The father lived to be above 100 years of age and the grandfather at his death was 105. Mr. Gensman was married in 1861 in Boston, N. Y., and he and his wife lived there until they moved to Webster City in 1872, where Mr. Gensman engaged in blacksmithing, at which trade he worked until he sustained a stroke of paralysis seven years ago and retired. He had enjoyed reasonably good health, however, until last winter. Mr. Gensman is survived by his wife and the following children: Mrs. C. E. McCannon of Des Moines, Mrs. John Blim of Waterloo and Miss Leona of this city. Mrs. William Spicer of this city is a sister. Mr. Gensman was a man of unusually strong character and was widely respected. The family have a host of friends in and about the city, all of whom mourn with them the passing of this good man.

Webster City Tribune -- Webster City, Iowa
April 1917