Tama County Iowa Obituaries


Elijah Newton Wing

Toledo Chronicle
Jan 23

Elijah Newton Wing was born in Richmond, McHenry county, Illinois, March 28, 1848, and died Tuesday morning, January 14, at 1:30 o'clock in the Methodist hospital at Des Moines of pneumonia. He had gone to Des Moines before Christmas to spend the winter with his daughter, Mrs. D. C. Daughtery, and his son Milton, and had been in his usual health and activity until a few days before death when his health failed rapidly, and he was taken to the hospital where he was tenderly cared for until the end.

His parents were Dr. Josia B. and Persis M. Wing, who with their family, came to Tama County in 1855. Dr. Wing lived in the village of Monticello for a number of years and was a practicing physician in Tama county for forty-five years. Dr. Wing died March 17, 1876, and the mother, Mrs. Persis M. Wing, died September 20, 1922, and had nearly reached the age of 99 years.

The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Catherine Emily Surface at her home in Carroll township June 29, 1870. They were the parents of seven children, five son and two daughters. Those living are J. Milton Wing, a grocer in Des Moines: Guy, Fred and Ralph, all of Seattle, Washington, John D. died in infancy in 1883, and Mrs. Edith Wing McCarty of Tama died September 28, 1928 and the wife and mother, Mrs. Emily Wing, died September 22, 1919.

Mr. Wing had two brothers and three sisters. Those preceding him were Cassius Corwin, who died in infancy, Theresa, who died in childhood, and Mary, who was Mrs. Justin Bates.

An only sister survives this pioneer family, Mrs. Della DeFrance, who makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Orin Harrison, and her husband in Toledo

Fourteen grandchildren are left who will miss a kind and indulgent grandfather. Miss Beulah Arford lived with her grandfather for a number of years and this made his life brighter and less lonely. Beside these, a number of nieces and nephews and a host of neighbors and friends will greatly miss him.

Mr. Wing was baptized and taken into the Christian church about 1873 at Monticello and some time later was transferred to the United Brethren church where he remained a faithful member. He was a man of strong personality. As a citizen his character was above reproach. Socially and as a friend he won the hearts of all. For all his shining qualities of heart and mind he will long and lovingly be remembered. In all the relations of life that cluster around the fireside and home, he embodied everything that makes a loving husband, a kind father and a faithful friend.

Note: The year was not given.

Contributed by: Karon Howatt Mazie