Wandell, Alexander 1844-1899

WANDELL

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 9/30/2024 at 16:44:18

Death of Alexander Wandell - This event occurred at his residence in Arlington about one o'clock Tuesday afternoon in the presence of his son and wife, the only surviving members of his immediate family and the funeral will be held at the M.E. church this afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by his pastor, Rev. W[illegible].

Mr. Wandell has been a sufferer from the disease that caused his death, said to be consumption for about [illegible] years.

When the editor of the NEWS came to Arlington, Mr. Wandell was wont to be in his store but was so soon thereafter taken sick that we only made his acquaintance in a formal way. It is said he was rather reluctant in making acquaintances but when they were once formed they were never broken. And we have often heard during our sojourn in the city nothing but words of commendation as to the life and character of Mr. Wandell.

He was highly esteemed by all and his death all though expected momentarily, has brought a shock and a sense of sadness to our people. He had been rapidly failing for the past two or three weeks and he and his family knew that the end was near.

A week ago he talked over his business matters with his family and made such disposition of his property as he desired at that time. His end was peaceful and quiet. His son and his wife, as we have stated, were at his bed side.

His last words were, "See the baby! There stands the baby!" He had reference to the little daughter of his son's who died a short time ago and whose little life was the joy and the bright star that cheered him during many an hour of sickness, drove away many a heart ache with its angelic smiles and little babyish capers. While it lived Mr. Wandell was almost its constant companion and when it dropped it's little wings and passed away from him his heart strings were rent asunder. But what is cloudy here shall be bright as the morning sun in that haven of rest. We can't tell. If this little comforter of Mr. Wandell in his sick hours had not gone on before it could not have stood by his bed side at the last hour to accompany him through the valley and the shadow of death and be the beacon of light to guide him to that celestial city, that home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. What a glorious end!

To have our dear ones stand by our side in the hour of dissolution and guide us home where trials, troubles and sickness and death are at an end. The sweet life of the babe, though short, was not in vain. Its little form and its memory was dear to its grandfather in his last moments and who shall ever know or dare to say that as his spirit stepped out from its burdensome body of clay that the meeting of those two was not glorious and that the bells of heaven did not ring and assemble the angels of heaven to witness the event and to welcome the weary traveler home.

The funeral was from the M.E church today at two o'clock. Mrs. H.E. Rathbun presided at the organ, with Mr. Thomas Kershaw, Mrs. M. Shumway, Miss Vina Nuss and H.E. Rathbun as the choir. The pall bearers were John Gladwin, A. Rittenhouse, J.A. Foster, J.R. McDonald, Geo. Shriver and George Hill, old soldiers.

Alexander Wandell was born in Cattaraugus county, N.Y., Oct 7, 1844. When he was about nine years old his father removed to McHenry county, Ill., where he remained one year, and in 1854 located in Clayton Co., Iowa. [the rest of this portion of his obit is a re-printing of his biography from the 1882 Clayton co. History & details his military service in the Civil War. I have not transcribed it here - to read click the link below]

He was married Feb. 3, 1872 to Ella Rowell, who was born in New Hampshire in 1854. They had two children, Wilber M., born May 8, 1872, who still survives, and Cora E., born March 2, 1876, and who died in infancy. Mr. Wandell was a republican and remained so until his death. During his illness he joined the Methodist church of this city.

[The remainder of the obit is a nearly 2 column transcription of the sermon preached at the funeral & not transcribed here]

~Arlington News, August 31, 1899, pg 4

1882 Bio of Alexander Wandell
 

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