From: "Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert" <iggy29@scican.net>

To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com>

Subject: OBITUARY - ELBERT ERNEST.

Date: Friday, June 01, 2001 8:10 PM

Decatur County Journal

April 24, l898

ELBERT ERNEST died at his home in this city Friday night, April 8, l898,

aged 65 years, after a short illness with lung trouble.

MR. ERNEST was born in North Carolina, March l4, l833, where he was

reared to the occupation of a farmer. He was married to MISS SARAH

ALBEE in l854 and in l860 they settled in Center Township, this county.

To them were born five children, all living, MRS. WARNER; LUELLA, wife

of CLAYBORNE BRAZELTON, of Decatur Township; NATHANIEL, a resident of

Clinton, Missouri; ZERELDA, wife of W.E. AMMON, of Decatur, and ETTA,

living at home. Four sisters and a brother reside in Indiana. All of

these with his wife mourn his loss. In November, l862, he entered the

army as a member of Co. C, Ninth Iowa Cavalry, serving nearly two years.

In l864 he lost his eyesight by smallpox and was confined in the pest

(sic) hospital at Bloody Island, near St. Louis. Owing to his

misfortune, he was discharged in July, l864. His wife died just four

weeks after his return from the army.

The year following he went to Davenport to receive treatment for his

eyes, but it was without beneficial result. In l866 he entered the

college for the blind at Vinton, where he remained a year and a half,

learning the broom and brush making business. He then returned to

Davenport and conducted a brush and broom factory until l872, when he

returned to Leon and purchased seventy-five acres of new land in Eden

Township. Notwithstanding his misfortune he personally improved the

farm, removing timber, building fences and planting an orchard with his

own hands. He made a beautiful home and occupied it until l880, when he

removed to Leon. For his second wife, MR. ERNEST married MISS EMILY

WATSABAUGH of Leon, who survives him.

His death fell upon the household and community with most severity, as

it came suddenly after a week's illness. But Mr. E. left much comfort

in the fact that he was a genuine Christian man. He feared God, he

loved God, exercised a living faith in Jesus Christ. He united with the

M.E. Church while living in the country, but afterwards united with the

Presbyterian Church at this place.

As a citizen, MR. E. was honorable and upright, held in high esteem by

neighbors and community. "I don't suppose he had an enemy in the

world," said one of his army officers in conversation. As husband and

father he was loving and much endeared.

Now he has fallen. It was not his lot to fall on a battle field of the

Civil War, but on the field of life which is also a battle field, where

one after another is falling. Another warrior in the sacramental army,

another veteran of the Grand Army of the Republic, another citizen and

neighbor is gone. Who next, is a question the veteran comrades of the

G.A.R. Post, his brethren of the congregation, friends and neighbors

ought solemnly lay to heart.

The funeral services were held from the Presbyterian Church, Sunday,

REV. G.D. GURLEY preaching the sermon. The G.A.R. Post had charge of

the services.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CARD OF THANKS

We desire to thank our many kind friends and neighbors who so kindly

assisted us during the sickness and death of our dear husband and

father.

MRS. E. ERNEST AND CHILDREN.

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