Iowa
Old Press
Maquoketa Excelsior
Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa
October 20, 1896
Rev. D. F. Boomershine
Rev. and Mrs. D. F. Boomershine will leave on the early train
tomorrow morning to attend the annual meeting of the Synod of the
Reformed Church, which convenes at Edinburgh, Illinois, Wednesday
evening, October 21. They will be absent over Sunday, hence there
will be no religious services nor Sunday school at the Baptist
Church next Sunday afternoon, but the regular services may be
expected on November 1st.
DIED
Imogene Naomi Klinefelter, little daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Otto Klinefelter, died early yesterday morning from
the after-effects of diphtheria. She was taken with diphtheria
about two months ago. She was never considered very ill and was
soon over the diphtheria, and for the few weeks previous to the
last few days, she was seen playing about the house. A few days
ago, however, she began to fail and she failed rapidly, sinking
into her last sleep yesterday morning. She was aged five years,
eight months and twelve days. The remains were laid to rest in
Mt. Hope Cemetery the same afternoon, with brief services at the
grave conducted by Rev. Macurdy. The bereaved have the sympathy
of the community.
A. F. Kearney
The Dubuque Herald has the following to say of Supt. Kearney:
A. F. Kearney, Superintendent of Schools of Jackson County, was
born in 1866 in Dubuque County, the son of A. J. Kearney, one of
the early settlers of Cascade Township. He grew to manhood on the
farm, attended Lenox College at Hopkinton, Iowa, but owing to
delicate health went to the mountains of Virginia in 1885. Being
greatly benefited by the change of climate, engaged in business
in Virginia and returned to Iowa in 1892, engaging in school
work. Professor Kearney located at LaMotte, Jackson County, in
the Spring of 1894, read law while teaching, and was admitted to
the practice of law by the Supreme Court of Iowa in May, 1895. He
was selected as the candidate of the Democratic Party for the
office of Superintendent of Schools of Jackson County and elected
to that office in November, 1895.
[transcribed by K.W., August 2009]
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Maquoketa Excelsior
Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa
October 27, 1896
OBITUARY
Dr. Gano S. Martin was born at New Town, Hamilton County, Ohio,
on the 16th day of January, 1828, and died at his home in
Maquoketa, Iowa, October 3, 1896, aged 68 years, 9 months, 7
days.
He received his education at the place of his birth and at
Cincinnati, Ohio, thoroughly preparing himself, for his chosen
life work, the practice of medicine. At the age of 18 he moved to
the state of Indiana, and at the age of 19 commenced practice of
his profession. After a residence of two years in Indiana, Dr.
Martin, in September, 1848, journeyed by wagon to Jackson County,
Iowa, the trip occupying one month. He was accompanied by Elder
Joshua Currier, a Baptist minister of Greensburg, Indiana. They
settled in LaMotte and Dr. Martin at once entered upon the
practice of his profession. On January 1, 1851, he was married to
Miss Lydia A. Wright, of LaMotte, a native of New York State.
After a residence of four years at that place Dr. and Mrs. Martin
moved to Maquoketa. This was about 1855, or almost forty years
ago. During this long period of time, with the exception of the
last few years, the doctor found active employment in his
profession as a physician. In the year 1865 he entered the drug
business, to which he gave his personal attention for over
twenty-five years, retiring therefrom some four years ago.
To Dr. Martin and his wife one child was born, a boy, in
September, 1852. He was named George Washington Martin. He died
at the age of fourteen months. In later years two children lived
with the Martins. One was Clara Howard who entered his home at
the age of two years, and who is now the wife of Mr. J. F.
Thompson. The other was Estella McKee, who came to him when eight
years of age, and who is now the wife of Mr. J. E. Lee of
Chicago. To both of these children he was a father, and it is as
a father that they mourn his loss today after all the many years
their lives were brightened by his love and care.
At the age of 15 the doctor became a follower of Christ and
united with the Baptist Church at New Town, Ohio. His father and
mother were Baptists and his grandfather was a Baptist. Minister
and one of the first settlers upon the place where the city of
Cincinnati now stands. Upon the arrival of Dr. Martin at LaMotte
in 1848 he at once assisted Elder Joshua Currier in the
organization of a Baptist Church of which the elder was the first
pastor. This brother, who as already stated, came to Iowa with
Dr. Martin, still lives, over ninety years of age, and has
recently moved from Harlan, this state, to Grand Junction,
Colorado. During his long residence in Maquoketa Dr. Martin has
been an honored and active member of the Baptist Church. His
Christian life has been consistent, his discharge of duty has
ever been faithful, his liberality has ever bounded and his good
works have ever testified to his living faith. By his pastor and
by his brothers and sisters in Christ he will be greatly missed,
now that he has been promoted from the church on earth to the
church in heaven.
The last days of the doctor’s life were attended with great
pain from which he earnestly prayed to be released. And now that
he is “absent from the body” we mourn not as those who
have no hope for we know that he is “present with the lord.”
The doctor has taken his last journey, he has answered his last
call, and has entered the “many mansions” where,
according to the promise of God, “there shall be no more
death, neither sorrow or crying, neither shall there be any more
pain for the former things are passed away.”
The funeral service was held Sunday afternoon at the family
residence in Second street. Rev. Henry Clark took for his text
the words “He was a good man,” and from them paid
tribute to the high character of the doctor. Interment was in the
family lot at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
[transcribed by K.W., August 2009]