REGISTER OF
OLD SETTLERS
BOOK ONE
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MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF | |
Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 229
submitted by Jo Ann Carlson, Sept. 8, 2007
At Old Settlers’ Meeting ---The Old Settlers’s convene at City Hall, Saturday, March 5, 1887, at 9 a.m., pursuant to call.
The President presented the following paper:
Never within the life of this society have we been called to mourn the loss of so many old settlers’ in so short a time. In the space of two week’s since our last meeting four of our members have passed away. MR. HIRAM GILBERT, died March 4th, 1887, MRS. MIRANDA G. DICKERSON, wife of O. Dickerson, on March 1st. MRS. ELIZABETH COLBERT, wife of D.E. Colbert, on Feb. 24th, and MRS. SOPHIA CASS, wife of Rev. M.G. Cass, on Feb. 21st, all occupying honorable and esteemed, places in society, and all will be long remembered by relatives and friends among whom they have lived.
On motion, the memorial and resolutions were adopted. Mr. Bridgman knowing our deceased friends well made some remarks highly commendatory of their lives among us as citizens and friends and in a general way said that the time seemed to have come when the old settlers were rapidly disappearing from our midst.In the person of Mr. Gilbert we have one of our first pioneers; one that settled here near a half century ago. We first knew Mr. Gilbert in the early summer of 1838 and ever since have known him as a model of honesty and integrity. He was one of the few that was called upon by his neighbor to act as a referee to settler their disagreements, an honor awarded to but few. From my acquaintance until his marriage with Miss Bennerfield his home was with his father. They lived in a large hewed log cabin, about one-half a mile south of his last residence. This cabin was a model of Kentucky hospitality. Here the religious meetings were held. Many a Sunday I have attended “preaching” at that cabin and after meeting enjoyed a dinner of corn bread and bacon, the common food of an early settler. It was customary at that cabin to provide dinner for all who attended meeting enjoyed a dinner of corn bread and bacon, the common food of an early settler. It was customary at that cabin to provide dinner for all who attended meeting. Hiram Gilbert, was the youngest son of Mordecai Gilbert, and the last of “the first lot of Gilberts,” as they were called, consisting of father and two sons, and I think two daughters. They came here among the first, took their claims and entered them, and lived on them until summoned hence. In looking over the list of early settlers, I find but few that can say as Mr. Gilbert could “I cam to this country before it was Iowa Territory.” That number is getting quite small and may it be said of them as it could be said of Mr. Gilbert, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou in to the joy of thy Lord.”
In the death of Mrs. Dickerson, who, lived in Iowa in its Territorial days, of Mrs. Colbert and Mrs. Cass, who came to Iowa but little later, all having been here more than thirty years, we have lost three of our number who for all the high qualities belonging to noble women, there are none to surpass them. Coming as they did when our country was new, a fitting tribute to one is a fitting tribute to them all and as Christian woman their lives were a blessing to all around them.
As a just and fitting tribute to our departed friends I offer the following:
Resolved, That we tender our sympathy to the families and relatives of the deceased and that this memorial be placed upon our minutes and a copy furnished the press for publication.
Mr. Henneker spoke in eulogistic terms of the excellent qualities of Mrs. Colbert as a neighbor and warm friend, and also of Mr. Gilbert.
William Davidson related some very pleasant memories of Mrs. Dickerson.
After some general conversation about bygone days, on motion adjourned.
J.P. Walton, President P. Jackson, Secretary.
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