Iowa
Old Press
THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
April 16, 1896
DIED
Willey.--At his home in Sidney, Iowa, April 9th, 1896 at 5
o'clock p.m., of paralysis and kidney disease, James W. Willey,
77 years and 4 months. He was born near Nashville, Tennessee,
Dec. 10th, 1818 where with his father, who was pastor of the M.
E. church at that place, he resided until the age of nineteen,
when he removed to Greenville, Bond county, Illinois, where he
remained until 1870. Here on the 3rd day of September 1859, after
the death of his first wife, by whom he had four children, three
of whom are living, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth V. Edwards
and to them were born eight children, of whom only four are now
living, two here and two in the state of Wyoming. Leaving
Illinois in 1869, he came with his family to Fremont county and
settled at Hamburg, but remained here only one year when he
removed to Thayer county, Neb., where he resided until 1878. It
was while enduring the hardships of frontier life that he had two
strokes of paralysis, from which he never fully recovered. From
Thayer he moved yet farther west to Harlan county, where he
remained until in 1891, he came to this place and here passed the
remainder of his life. Mr. Willey was converted when he was about
eighteen years old and united with the M. E.church. About seven
years ago, while at Almo, Nebraska, he transferred his connection
to the Free Methodist church there. During the las two years of
his life, he thought more of the importance of right living, and
made greater advances in Chriistian character.He grew in grace.
And throughout his last sickness and amid sufferings, that at
times were very trying, he exhibited great patience, sweet
resignation in the Divine Will, growing confidence in his
Redeemer and increasing joy as the time of his departure drew
nearer and he would enter into that City that has foundations and
whose builder and maker is God, and where there shall be no pain
nor night nor any curse. Just before he breathed his last he
asked those present to gathfer around his bed and sing:
My latest sun is sinking
fast,
..My race is nearly run;
My strongest trials now are past,
..My triumph is begun.
The ceremonies were held from the Baptist church, conducted by
Rev. Noerr, of the Presbyterian church, whom Mr. Willey request
should have charge of the last sad rites, and the remains were
then laid to rest in Sidney's silent city. To the wife and
children who are left to mourn the loss of a true, loving and
considerate husband and father, the Herald extends its
most sincere sympathies.
[transcribed by W.F., March 2004]
-----
THE FREMONT COUNTY SUN
Sidney Fremont County, Iowa
April 30, 1896
- Elmer McWilliams of Harrison county is calling on relatives here.
- C. H. Polk is having his well repaired.
[transcribed by W.F., August 2007]