Achsah (Danison) Middleton (1803-1893)

DANISON, MIDDLETON, RENNE

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:52

June 8, 1803 --- October 29, 1893

Achsah Danison was born near Hagerstown, Md., June 8, 1803. She became an orphan at an early age, her mother having died when she was but three years old and her father when she was five; at which time she was separated from her four brothers and two sisters and went to live with an aunt.

She was married to Hutchinson Middleton January 20, 1824, and moved to Harrison county, Ohio, three years after, where they continued to live five years, then went to Tuscarawas county. Ten children were born to them; seven boys grew to manhood and one daughter to womanhood. The sons and daughters were John L., Jose K., Elizabeth, who died when thirteen years old, William R., Asahel, Elmore, Abishai, Achsah Ann, who died when fourteen months of age, Elza E. and Nancy Jane Renne.

In their Ohio home the spirit of enterprise took hold of the elder sons of this happy family, and about 1854 Jose R. came to Iowa and his brother, John L., now living on Iowa avenue, emigrated in 1855. In 1856 the father and his family were all induced to come to the then far west; coming on the railroad as far as Iowa City, the rest of the journey was made with teams.

Mr. and Mrs. Hutchison Middleton purchased land and improved the place in Troy township that is now owned by Justin Theblay, the first home being on the site where Mr. Theblay's new residence now stands. The beautiful old trees about the place stand as a monument to the hardships endured by these early pioneers.

Owing to the tedious mode of traveling and the inconveniences encountered while on the journey west, their son Abishai took cold and consumption set in from which he died the following winter, Feb. 14,1857, and his was the first grave made in the old Troy cemetery. William R. was teaching school and living at Goldfield in 1861. On Sept. 14th, while talking pleasantly on the street, to all appearance perfectly well, he suddenly fell to the ground dead. The father, Hutchinson Middleton, died April 24, 1868. The youngest son, Elza E. Middleton, moved to Woolstock and was postmaster there for several years and kept a general store. He, with his family, went to Peckham, Nebraska, a few years ago, hoping the change of climate would he beneficial to his health, but he died in October, 1891.

Thus we may see the sorrows of this good mother were many, all of which she bore with christian fortitude, and consolation came from a higher power in her great griefs. She joined the Methodist church when but twelve or fourteen years old and remained a consistent member during her whole life. When her youngest child married James Renne she made her home with them, and went with them when they moved to their new home in Woolstock township twelve years since. About seventeen years ago she had a long sick spell and was never able to walk after that. Her mind remained clear and active, she was a good conversationalist with whom it was a pleasure to converse. At stated periods, except within the past few years, she would be carried to the several homes of her sons on her bed, where she visited a few days or weeks according to circumstances. Her visits were always heralded with pleasure and friends in the neighborhood would gather at her bedside, listening to the bright thoughts from one who, although deprived from active bodily duties, kept pace with current events of the nation and home.

About two years ago she received a partial paralytic stroke, and at times since that event her mind appeared weakened. Since last July she has been suffering very much, and her death has been expected at any time. During the last few weeks of her life she invariably called her daughter, Mrs. Renne, by the name of either of her sisters, whom she had seldom seen since she was eight years old. She died Sunday afternoon, Oct. 29th, at four o'clock, aged 90 years, four mouths and twenty-one days.

Her children and grandchildren have been devoted to her care and she was held in the highest esteem by all whose pleasure it became to know her. For seventeen years Mr. and Mrs. James Renne have cared for the helpless invalid, and no earthly recompense will award the faithful and loving kindness of a daughter who has devoted the best years of her life for the welfare of another.

The direct descendants from Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson Middleton now living number four children, thirty-six grandchildren, thirty-seven great grandchildren; by marriage, six daughter-in-laws, one son-in-law and fifteen grandchildren, making ninety-nine in all.

Boone Valley Gazette --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
1 November 1893