Decatur County Journal
August 28, l902

EDWARD KINKAID PITMAN was born in Estill County, Kentucky, March l5,
l835, and died at his home in Leon, Iowa, August 25, l902, aged 67
years, 5 months and l0 days. His father came of sturdy English stock
while his mother was of Irish origin. In l838 the family moved from
Kentucky to Illinois and fourteen years later came to Decatur County,
Iowa, settling on a farm in Eden Township, 7 miles south of Leon, where
the subject of this eketch endured the hardships common to the pioneer
farmer's son.

In the spring of l863, he enlisted as a private in Co. G 3rd Missouri
Cavalry, in which he served until the following December, when the
regiment was broken up by hard service and divided, his company being
assigned to the 7th Missouri Cavalry. From that time until the close of
the war, he was connected with the quarter-master's department.

In the winter of l865-6 he taught school near Pleasanton, and the
following autumn was elected clerk of the courts, which office he filled
for four years, after which he purchased and for two years edited the
Leon Pioneer, the first newspaper published in Leon. Deceased has
always affiliated with the Democratic Party and in l872 was appointed a
delegate to the national convention which nominated Horace Greeley for
President.

MR. PITMAN was postmaster of Leon from l886-l889, prior to which time he
had been for some years engaged in merchandising. Since his retirement
from the post office he had built up an extensive real estate and loan
business, and enjoyed the entire confidence of all his patrons and
business associates.

Early in life the deceased became a member of the Christian Church and
philanthropic enterprises. The temprance cause especially found in him
a jealous and untiring worker and he was always found ready to aid and
succor the unfortunate and oppressed. His generosity was only bounded
by his ability, and many are the unselfish deeds which he performed in
an earnest endeavor to follow in the footsteps of the Master who said
"Do unto others as you would have then do unto you." For many years he
had been a member of the Masonic Fraternity and had filled numerous
offices within gift of that society.

MR. PITMAN had been a resident of Leon since l867, had continuously
labored for the upbuilding of the town. He, with others, promoted a
movement to secure the entrance into Leon of the Missouri, Iowa and
Nebraska Railroad, of which Ex-Governor Drake was then President, and
which is now a part of the Keokuk and Western system. Failing in that,
efforts were made which resulted in the building of the Chariton branch
of the C.B. and Q. and later the Des Moines, Osceola, and Southern
Railroad which has of late years proved of benefit to the town and
county.

Deceased was married on September 6, l854, to MISS LOUISA OSBORN, the
mother of all his children. Her death occurred January 30, l874, and in
l875 he was married to MRS. SARAH I. CASTER, mother of J.M. and J.A.
CASTER of this city, who died August ll, l890. On December 9, l89l,
deceased was united in marriage with MRS. SARAH L. DALE, a lifelong
acquaintance.

MR. PITMAN was the father of five children, four of whom, MRS. M.P.
LINDSEY and MRS. ORRA GARDNER, of Leon; MRS. H.A. HILLIKER and ED K.
PITMAN JR., of Des Moines, together with a wife, survive him and were
present at his bedside during his illness and death. Two brothers, JOHN
W. PITMAN, of Havana, Ill., and J.H. PITMAN, of Leon, with three
sisters, MESDAMES MARY E. STANLEY, of Concordia, Kansas; RENA MCDOWELL,
of Davis City and MARGARET POOL, of Leon, are left behind.

He was a kind loving husband, an indulgent affectionate father and a
truly loyal brother.

May his memory remain green in the hearts of those he loved and served.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following tribute to the memory of MR. PITMAN was paid by a lifelong
friend and business competitor which is an evidence of the esteem in
which he was held.

ED, as he was familiarly known, was on the side of the people, to make
them better, wiser and happier, was to him a genuine pleasure. He will
be missed by many to whom he gave sympathy and encouragement in their
troubles.

The funeral of MR. PITMAN occurred Tuesday afternoon at his home, and a
large number of friends were in attendance. The services were conducted
by Elder H.H. Hubbell of the Christian Church, and the Masonic Order had
charge of the funeral. The body was laid to rest in the Leon Cemetery.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
July 25, 200l
 

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