Jose Robinet MIDDLETON

MIDDLETON, BUTLER, STRYKER, WILCOX, WILLIAMS, EMERICK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/6/2015 at 21:12:25

September 6, 1824 --– January 17, 1889

DEATH OF A PIONEER
Died, in Troy Township, Thursday, January 17, 1889, of Bright's disease, Jose Robinet Middleton, aged 61 years, 4 months, and 11 days.
The funeral services were held at the house, Saturday the 19th, and were attended by about 250, a number which would have been much larger if the roads had not been almost impassable except for teams that were sharp-shod. The services, conducted by Rev. W. A. Black,
were impressive and appropriate to the occasion, bearing upon the life and character of the Christian.

JOSE ROBINET MIDDLETON
Jose Robinet Middleton was born in Moorefield, Harrison County, Ohio September 6th, 1827 and was a resident of the Buckeye state up to the age of 27 years, when despite the entreaties of his friends, he determined to seek his fortunes in the then wild and nearly desolate prairies of northern Iowa. Accordingly, in the early winter of 1854, he started, coming as far as Dubuque on the cars, and making the remainder of the distance on foot, and stopping finally on the site of the present homestead. At that time there were but four settlers in the neighborhood, and they had been here but a few months. They were William Stryker, Stephen Wilcox, H. Williams (living on what is now the Emerick place) and Mr. Cosort (on what is now the property of David Miller.)

Our young pioneer lost no time in taking his claim of 160 acres, paying therefor the government price, $1.25 per acre. This was the
original 160 to which other 80's and quarters have been added till the whole now includes a tract of 720 acres. Soon after locating his claim, Mr. Middleton went down into Hamilton County, then a part of Webster County, and began teaching school. From Information gathered, he taught in the district now known as the White Fox in the winter of 1854-55, and is worthy of mention as being the first school ever taught in what is now Hamilton County. The winter was remarkably mild, and up till Christmas time children came to school barefoot, and the teacher walked from Homer to his claim barefoot only a few days before Christmas, the roads being dry and dusty. In the following spring and summer Mr. M. erected a substantial log house and put in a crop of sod corn. In the fall he returned to Ohio where he was joined by his older brother, John, and also Asahel, a younger brother, the rest of his father's family coming later. On returning to his claim it was found that a fire had burned both the house and the corn, and as the weather was very severe nothing could be done but to hastily construct a small cabin of unhewn logs and chinked with snow. This was done, and he was able to "prove up."

June 4, 1857 Mr. Middleton was united in marriage with Miss Lois A. Butler, daughter of Eli Butler, one of the earliest settlers in Hamilton County. Nine children, four girls and five boys blessed their union, eight of whom are living, the youngest a son of twelve years. A daughter died in infancy. In the early civil and religious organizations of the townships, the deceased took a prominent part. He was one of the first trustees ever elected in the township, and the first leader of the little society of Methodists. Of the pioneers of southwestern Wright County, he was one of the foremost in all that tended to develop the resources of the country, probably as great success as any one in this section. He was the originator of the apple known as the "Jose Sweets," and at our last state fair took 1st premium for best farm collection of apples for the
northern Iowa district.

In 1866 Mr. M. started a brick yard and supplied the brick for a large number of buildings, wells, etc, thus demonstrating that good brick could be made here. Two years later he built himself a large and comfortable dwelling of the same material, thus virtually constructing his house from the "ground up." But the old cabin and the other evidences of pioneer life were not destroyed, for he loved the old ways and customs and with but few tools delighted to fashion the many articles needed about the place* He made his own sleds, drags, etc., and even the harness for his team in earlier days. In short he was a born pioneer. Thus with interest and profit might the story of this worthy life be continued. For the history of our pioneers, their struggles and hardships is the history of our country's development. But space forbids. We can only pause for a few words in tribute to the memory of him who so lately was one of us.

In early youth the departed united with the M. E. Church, remaining a consistent member during the remainder of his life. In the little pioneer settlement, he labored with earnest zeal for his Master's cause, and did much toward keeping up religious services at Troy Center. As a friend and neighbor he was esteemed for his many noble qualities. His individuality was very marked. Naturally of a philosophic turn of mind, he was a keen observer and investigator of causes and events in nature, depending more upon his own powers of reason than on the second-hand conclusions of others. In the general acceptance of the term, he was "odd," but his very oddities drew to him many of his warmest friends. But it is in the home circle we find the truest test of man's character, and judged by this standard, the life of the departed was a worthy example. Strictly temperate in all his habits, he was a devoted, loving husband, a kind father. In the management of the home few, indeed, could have shown greater care and consideration. His children "rise up to call him blessed." And though all that was mortal is now at rest, his influence for good has not perished. In the hearts of those who were nearest and dearest, tender memories of precepts and examples still linger to admonish, to encourage in the pursuit of duty and right.

To the dear ones left to mourn their great loss, there is one precious comfort—the assurance that with him all is well that "when the mists have rolled in splendor" from the portals of the tomb, there shall be a glad reunion on the shores of eternal peace and joy. May time, with blessed healing, help to lighten the load of sorrow help to brighten the pathway of her whose grief none may know, and of all the sorrowing ones, is the prayer of the writer.

Boone Valley Gazette - Iowa
January 24, 1889

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Jose R. Middleton died at his residence at Troy Center January 17, 1889. Until the railroad went north to Eagle Grove, Webster City was his market town, Hamilton County people were his associates, and in Hamilton County affairs he was always greatly interested. He has never enjoyed very robust health, and has been rather feeble of late years, but he was confined to his bed a little over a week. Besides a wife and several children, he leaves an aged and bed-ridden mother, four brothers, and a sister to mourn his death. He was a man of generous impulses, intelligent, industrious, and frugal; always ready to help the needy, encourage the despairing, and relieve the distressed. All who knew him not only respected, but loved him, and his place in the community where he has lived so long can never again be so satisfactorily filled. His funeral took place from his late residence last Saturday and was attended by a very large concourse of sympathizing and sorrowful friends and neighbors. Burial was in the Troy Cemetery.

Webster City Graphic - Webster City, Iowa