William PLETCHER

PLETCHER, GRIFFITH, STARKS, SISK, RENIER, BEALLIES

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/5/2017 at 18:54:05

June 7, 1859 --- April 2, 1918

William Pletcher was born near Elkhart, Indiana on June 7th, 1859 and departed this life on April 2nd, 1918. Thus on his next birthday Mr. Pletcher would have been 59 years of age. When seven years of age the deceased moved with his parents to the state of Illinois, and again when sixteen he came with them to Clinton, Iowa. A later move took him to Benton County where he was married. Mr. Pletcher has been a resident of Wright County for the past 35 years, and for 26 years of that time on the farm where his death occurred. Five foster children shared the blessings of the Pletcher home. Of these, four survive to mourn with the mother, a loss which will seem greater as the years pass. Harry Pletcher died in January 1908. The surviving children are Olin Starks of Waterloo. Iowa, Mrs. Sylvia Griffith and Ruth Pletcher of Eagle Grove and Carroll Pletcher of Deming, N. M. Mr. Pletcher was one of a family of 12 children. Of the 12, but three remain John Pletcher of Florence; Mrs. Elizabeth Sisk of Albany, Illinois and Mrs. Martha Renier of Indiana. It was more than thirty years ago that the deceased became a Christian and was baptized by Rev. Robert Carroll in Eagle Creek, 6 miles east. When the Baptist church was organized Mr. Pletcher became a charter member and his membership has remained in the church ever since. Nor was his church simply a place for membership. He loved his church and always sought to support it in. every way possible. He will be missed sadly by his brethren. Perhaps one of the most precious of the many excellencies of this man is reflected by a fact already mentioned; viz. his giving a home to five children who were in need of comforts which he could give. He always had something to make a child’s heart glad. A word at least and usually some remembrance which would appeal to a child. And the more needy in appearance the child, the more certain it was to be remembered. To help others was our brothers delight. No one ever left his door hungry if he knew it. He was ever thotful of others. Tho for weeks a great sufferer, he bore his suffering with great patience and when guests were present, he always hid as much as was possible of his troubles from them. He expressed his willingness and preparedness for the last Journey on many occasions. One of his favorite means of passing the long hours was in humming the songs of Zion which he loved so well. That he is free from suffering is a joy. But his absence from us is and will be our sorrow. Very largely attended funeral services conducted by Rev. Hugh F. Moore, were held from the Baptist church on Thursday afternoon, and enterment was made in Rose Hill Cemetery. Relatives of Mr. Pletcher attending the funeral from out of town were George and Thomas Griffith of Waterloo. Iowa, James Griffith and wife from So. Kaukauna, Wis. and William Griffith and two sons of Goldfield, Iowa. A nephew of Mr. Pletcher, Sam Beallies and wife, came from Benton County, Iowa.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
April 11, 1918