HEMENWAY, Vashin died 1878

HEMENWAY, GOODNOW

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 6/8/2025 at 16:32:27

Last Friday about noon Mr. H.H. Hemenway, of this city, received a dispatch from his brother Herman, at Cedar Falls, informing him of the dangerous illness of their father, at the same time stating that it might not be more so than he usually was when he had similar attacks.

Miss E.M. Hemenway, the only daughter, who makes her home in Lansing, started at once for Cedar Falls to be present at the bedside of her afflicted father, and she arrived there none too soon, for on Sunday at about 12 o'clock the old gentleman breathed his last.

Dispatches were at once sent to H.H., here, but in the meantime he had gone out of town, not having heard anything further from his brother as was expected if his father grew worse, and consequently he did not receive the news of his death until it was too late for him to even attend the funeral.

Vashni Hemenway was born in Worcester, Mass., and had he lived two months longer he would have attained the unusual age of 90 years.

When about 12 years of age his parents removed to Vermont, where he remained until 25 years old, when he went to Pottsdam, N.Y., on to a farm, and was afterwards married to Miss Eliza Goodnow, of that place, and there his children, eight of them; six boys and two girls, were all born.

He came west and located at Freeport, Ill., in 1850, making that his home until 1865, when, after the breaking up of the old family circle, his wife having died in 1862, he came to Lansing to reside with his son Homer and with him he had since remained until several months ago, when he concluded that a change of locality might be beneficial to his health, and he therefore went to the home of his son, Asa, near Cedar Falls, this State, where he had since remained until just previous to his death when he went to visit with Herman at the Falls, and at which place he died.

His death resulted from a complication of diseases, principally kidney and bowel complaint, which ailments he was subject to frequently.

The funeral services took place at five o'clock Sunday evening, at the Congregational church in Cedar Falls, and on Monday the remains were taken to Freeport, Ill., for interment.

Father Hemenway was one of the finest old gentlemen we ever knew, unassuming, kind and loving, and as pure a christian as the light of the gospel ever fell upon, always trusting, trusting that blessed Savior whose holy spirit for many years had been the guiding star of his existence. It could be said of him as the poet hath penned:

"Aged with decent grace upon his visage,
And worthily becomes his silver locks,
He wears the mark of many years well spent,
Of virtue, truth well tried, and wise experience."

~North Iowa Journal, Wednesday, August 21, 1878; pg 4

--- ---

Vashni Hemenway, father of Hon. H.C. Hemenway, died at the residence of his son on Sunday morning of last week, aged 90 years. Deceased was born at Shrewsbury, Mass., Nov. 28, 1788.

The early years of his life were spent in Vermont and New York. In 1850 he moved west and settled at Freeport, Ills., where he resided 'til 1868, when he moved to Allamakee county, Iowa, where he resided until his death.

The funeral services were held at the residence of H.C. Hemenway, at Cedar Falls, on Monday afternoon of last week, Rev. Dr. Estabrooke officiating.

The remains were taken to Freeport to be buried by the side of his wife and sister.

~Waterloo Courier, August 28, 1878

Note: Burial is in the Freeport City cemetery