Nathan CHURCH

CHURCH, MERSON, BAKER, SMITH, PLUMLEY, BABCOCK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/2/2013 at 22:01:33

October 30, 1831 ---- October 24, 1905

Called to the Great Beyond

Again the angel of death has visited our community and taken from our midst another of our old settlers and respected citizens, Nathan Church who died on Tuesday morning at the residence of his son-in-law James Merson. He has been a great sufferer but the passing was quiet and peaceful.

Nathan Church was born at Oxford, New York, October 30th, 1831. His father was Lyman Church also born in that state and the family is descended from one of the earliest families of the state of New York. Mr. Church came to Black Hawk, Iowa, in 1853. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E of the 12th, Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He took part in some of the most important battles of the early war and was at the Battle of Shiloh two days. On account of exposure at Fort Donelson, he became soon after the battle of Shiloh, unable to do duty and was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained in the hospital until he was discharged in May 1862, on account of disability. While in the service he contracted rheumatism which has always clung to him and his constitution was badly broken. He was married in Black Hawk county before the war, to Miss Sarah Baker. Two daughters of this marriage survive him, Mrs. Lottie Smith of Bayfield, Wis., and Mrs. Alice Plumley of Sylvan, Minn. On the 27th day of April 1865, he was again married to Miss Elvira Babcock, a native of Jefferson county, New York, who died in Renwick, December 8th, 1903. Of this union three children were born, two sons and one daughter. One son Earl, C., died August 5th, 1880, aged 6 years. Two children survive him, Elmer M., whose home is in Sylvan, Minn., and Mrs. Inez Merson, of this place.

The funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the Baptist church conducted by the pastor, Rev. A. J. Lauler. Interment at Luni cemetery. Mr. Church was among the highly esteemed citizens of Wright and Humboldt counties and leaves a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. As a community we extend our sympathy to the bereaved family.

The Renwick Times - Renwick, Iowa
October 27, 1905