Iowa
Old Press
Maquoketa Excelsior
Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa
September 9, 1892
Joseph Pierce Eaton, Sr.
J. P. Eaton died very suddenly at his home on Main Street, this
city, last Friday evening, September 2, 1892. He was seated at
the supper table, with his family about him, when the summons
came. Paralysis of the heart was the fatal malady and he spoke
never a word after he was stricken. For a few days before his
death he had been complaining of not feeling well, but he kept
about and on Friday, the day he died, he felt much better and was
in his usual cheerful frame of mind.
He was born in Windham county, Conn., June 12, 1812, being a
little over four score years of age. Sept. 9, 1850, forty-two
years ago today, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha C.
Brown, who survives him. In 1855 he came to this place and
engaged in railroad construction. He assisted in building the
Iowa Central, Dubuque & Southwestern, Davenport & St.
Paul and Iowa Midland roads. He has long been regarded as one of
the best posted men in the state on railroad matters. In politics
he was a staunch, earnest Republican and he served this county
faithfully and ably in the General Assembly during two sessions.
He also served this school district several years as a director,
and his ward many years as a member of the city council. He was
never found recreant to any trust reposed in him by his party,
friends or neighbors. His history is the history of Maquoketa. He
was always interested in every good work and never too busy to
aid it with his counsel, and always sufficiently generous and
public spirited to give all the material aid his means would
allow.
Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Eaton, five died in
infancy. The other five, Joseph, William, Sybil, Martha and
Franc, survive to mourn the loss of a fond, affectionate parent,
and all were present at the funeral. Funeral services were held
at the house at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon. They were
conducted by Rev. J. G. Van Ness, of the M. E. Church, and were
largely attended. The city council and other city officials, as a
mark of respect to deceased and as evidence of the high esteem in
which he is held by those who knew him best, attended the
services in a body.
OBITUARY- WILLARD
Robert H. Willard died at his home adjoining the town of
Monmouth, Wednesday morning, September 7, 1892, at 3 o’clock.
Deceased was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, March 7,
1812. He moved to this state in 1862 and settled on a farm near
Smithtown, Clinton county, Iowa, where he lived until about 1887,
when he moved to Monmouth. He was twice married. His first wife
died in 1860. A year later, or just before coming west, he
married again, and his second wife survives him. He was the
father of twelve children, eight of whom survive him. Four of the
eight live in this vicinity, viz: Mrs. C. W. Comstock and Robert
Willard at Lost Nation, Jacob on the home farm, and Ira E., the
Republican candidate for county auditor, is in business in
Baldwin. Two sons are in the Black Hills, the eldest daughter in
New York State and John resides in Marion, this state. Funeral
services were held at the church in Monmouth this forenoon and
were conducted by Prof. Stephen A. Wood, of Lost Nation. Mr.
Willard was widely known and highly respected. He was an
indulgent and kind husband and father, a generous, public
spirited citizen and an obliging neighbor.
[transcribed by K.W., May 2009]