James Christopher PREHM

PREHM, GILLETT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/5/2014 at 15:48:57

March 4, 1833 --- September 28, 1883

James Christopher Prehm was born in Poland, Ohio, March 4, 1833. He was consequently in his fifty first year at the time of his decease. When only ten years of age he was deprived by death of his father and thrown largely on his own resources. At the age of seventeen he entered the useful and honorable vocation of a teacher in Ohio, which he followed for a period of twenty five years, devoting to it, with eminent success, the best years of his life. He came to Iowa in 1845, locating at Sperry, Des Moines county. There he remained until 1862, when he removed to Illinois, teaching for a time at Athens and afterwards at Pleasant Plains and Springfield, acting most of the time in the capacity of principal. In 1872 he returned to Iowa, living for a time in Linn county and afterwards at Quincy, Adams County, .. removing to Traer, Tama county, when he moved to Toledo [Iowa], where he associated himself with his son, A. A. Prehm, publishing the Toledo Times. Two years later he came to Eagle Grove and founded the Times, which he conducted up to the time of his death. Mr. Prehm was united in marriage at Sperry, Iowa, June 7, 1857 to Candace J. Gillett, who survives to mourn his loss. The union, a happy one, was blessed with eight children, five of whom are still living--two girls and three boys....

Eagle Grove Times - Eagle Grove, Iowa
October 11, 1883

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Died, in Eagle Grove, Friday, Sept. 28th, 1883 James Christopher Prehm, aged 50 years, 6 months and 24 days.

Mr. Prehm was born in Poland [Ohio] March 4th, 1833. His father died when he was only ten years of age, and at sixteen he made a home for his mother and the younger children, of whom he took an almost parental care. At the age of seventeen he commenced school teaching, which he followed for twenty-five years, in various towns in Illinois and southern Iowa, among them Springfield, Ill., most of the time in the capacity of principal.

His marriage occurred at Sperry, Des Moines county, Iowa, June 7th, 1857. Eight children have blessed the union, of whom three boys and two girls are living.

Brother Prehm's first journalistic labor was acting as correspondent of the Toledo Blade. Some three years since he purchased the Toledo Times, but after a few months removed to Eagle Grove and founded the Times at this place. Till late years Mr. Prehm was an active worker in the Sabbath School, having been elected superintendent when only fifteen, and also an ardent advocate of temperance. He had been a member of the order of Free Masons for a long period of years, and had just received his demit with a view of connecting himself with the lodge about to be organized at Eagle Grove.

Though apparently of a robust constitution, he belonged to a family where long life was a rare exception. His last illnes, which began nearly two months ago, was of a malarial nature. For the past four weeks he had been confined to his bed, but was not considered in danger till the Sabbath before he died; when he experienced a severe chill, followed by a sinking spell. On Monday he was pronounced better, and hope revived, but a return of chills hastened the end which occurred at Five o'clock Friday afternoon. The funeral services took place at the M. E. church on Sabbath morning, Rev. C. H. Bissell, of Humboldt, officiating, after which the remains were borne to the Goldfield cemetery for burial.

Our personal acquaintance with Bro. Prehm dates from our mutual settlement at Traer in the spring of 1875. We have always known and respected him as a genial, obliging and upright man, and have enjoyed and valued his friendship. We regret that reasons he long since conveyed to us, withdrew him from the active zealous christian effort, but we have found no reason to doubt that he was to the last ruled by christian principle and held to his hope of a better life. We were glad that we could express our sympathy for the family so bitterly bereaved, and also testify to the public our estimate of his personal worth. The peculiarly trying position he has occupied during the past year and a half might naturally cause prejudice in the minds of some. Mistakes he like all of us may have made, but we believe that an integrity of purpose ruled his general career. But now he has fallen--fallen in the midst of his days and usefulness, leaving a stricken family, and a work for others to take up and accomplish. --C. H. Bissell

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The funeral of J. C. Prehm last Sunday was more generally attended than any that ever took place in our town. The services took place at the M. E. Church, Rev. Mr. Bissell occupying the pulpit.He preached a forcible sermon, full of sympathy for the family of the departed. The remains were buried in the Goldfield cemetery."

Boone Valley Gazette --Eagle Grove, Iowa
October 4, 1883