Ledyard, George R. – 1834-1882

LEDYARD, WHITAKER

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 10/12/2010 at 18:06:50

Death of George R. Ledyard
One of the hardest tasks that comes to an editor is to write fitting words on the death of a friend – to incite well-rounded sentences when the heart is filled with grief. At such times words seem so weak, and all past practice and study so utterly futile, that they seem as nothing. In attempting to write of Mr. Ledyard such are out first thoughts.
Since we took charge of the Journal he has been one of our most valued and trustworthy counselors, for in his position as chairman of the Republican Central Committee of this county, it was necessary that we should often go to him when in doubt as to what was best to be done. And we ever found him far seeing, safe and entirely trustworthy – zealous in his help for friends, yet considerate and fair to opponents. Now, that he is bone, a great blank seems to have suddenly opened, and refuses to be closed. Then, too, his cheerfulness was universal, and his hope unbounded – where others saw defeat, he cheerily predicted success, and his predictions were sure to be realized. His keen foresight, his unerring judgment as to a proper seizing of opportunities, and his thorough knowledge of men, made him eminently successful as a political manager. Thoroughly imbued with the love of the principles of the Republican Party no labor was too great, no sacrifice of personal comfort too much, to aid in its advancement, or in the preferment of its representatives. He was active, energetic, and tireless in his efforts to accomplish what he deemed best, for the best interests of the party of his choice, and no citizen has gone to his reward who will be more greatly missed in political councils. As a man, a citizen, a friend and a neighbor, George Ledyard filled the full measure in all the requirements that would entitle him to respect and honor.
Everybody in the county knew him and all who knew him will feel a pang of regret of his sudden departure. He died on Wednesday afternoon, last, and was buried on Sunday. His funeral was the largest in numbers and display ever held in Newton. Men from all parts of the central portion of the State, and from all over the county, were present to pay a last tribute to his memory, and these represented the high estimation in which the deceased was held – each man giving evidence of his personal regard for him. The funeral was in charge of the Masons, and extra trains were run from Marshalltown, Brooklyn, Des Moines, and Prairie City, bringing on them members of the Order and friends along the several routes. On arriving at this point the visiting brethren were met at the depot with an escort form the Oriental Commandery of Newton, who with the Cornet Band, conducted them to Masonic Hall. After all had arrived, Col. J. W. Wilson, who had been selected as Chief-Marshal, made the programme and arranged the procession, and marched to the house where the services were held. The procession was formed in the following order:
Procession
1. C.R.I. & P. Band
2. Garrett Post No. 16, G.A.R., commanded by Maj. G. B. Hogin, Department Commander of the State.
3. A.O.C.W., of Newton, with delegation from Prairie City, Monroe, Colfax, Kellogg, and Mitchellville; Col. Than, Townsend, in charge.
4. Newton Cornet Band
5. Grand officers of the Grand Commandery, of Iowa.
6. Oriental Commandery No. 22, of Newton, commanded by J. W. McLaughlin.
7. St. Aldimer Commandery, No. 30, of Marshalltown, commanded by C. O. Gilman.
8. Templar Commandery No. 4, of Des Moines, Iowa, commanded by D. H. Shinn.
9. Preston Lodge 218, of Prairie City.
10. Riverside Lodge, of Colfax, with delegation from Mitchellville Lodge.
11. Meridian Lodge, No. 180, of Kellogg.
12. Fairview Lodge, No. 198, of Monroe, Iowa, with whom were delegations from Pella Lodge No. 55, and Monumental Lodge 311, of Galesburg, Iowa.
13. Newton Lodge, No. 59, of Newton, with whom were delegates from Herman Lodge, No. 273, of Grinnell, Lily Lodge 254, of Malcolm, and Corinthian Lodge No. 174, of Brooklyn.
14. Pall bearers – C. N. Doane, Kellogg; L. M. Shaw, Monroe, Henry Bousquet, Pella; M. P. Doud, Colfax; J. L. Hunter, Newton; Henry Efnor, Galesburg; S. M. Mowatt, Winterset; S. E. Zinn, Newton.
15. Hearse, and family of deceased.
16. Citizens on foot
17. Citizens in Carriages.
Rev. D. H. Rogan, now of Cedar Rapids, had at the request of deceased, been sent for, and delivered the funeral sermon. It was one filled with eloquence – of touching tenderness, and most fittingly calculated to cheer and comfort the mourning friends. From the closing part of it we quote as follows:
“George R. Ledyard was born at Albion, New York in 1834. In 1856 he married Miss Sarah Whitaker. The greater portion of his active life was identified with the developing West. August 1862 he enlisted in the 3rd Iowa Infantry, and was elected Lieutenant of his company. Succeeding to the command of it as captain, he served three years, filling out the full term of his enlistment. Subsequently selecting Monroe, in this county, as the place of his residence, he remained there an esteemed citizen, until his removal to this place in 1869, when he was elected County Auditor. This office he held for ten successive years, discharging its duties with marked efficiency. He was earnestly identified with the public affairs of the county, and was a zealous leader in public measures. A devoted Mason for 25 years, he rose through the various grades of the Order and wore its highest honor. Co__ and affable in his manners, exemplary in his character, and energetic and efficient in all that it fell to his hands to perform, he won esteem from his fellow citizens and made personal friends in all his associations with men. Devoted to his family, he sheltered his home under his diligent care and kindled gladness on its altars by his geniality and generosity.
Too worthy was he of life, it would seem to us, to live no more than 47 years. But because in the immaturity of __ the natural laws of our life __ not followed, he fell into the power of disease, to which he was compelled to shield at last, after a manly struggle against it. Having made his life worth retaining by the comforts and the friendships, and the sacred home attachments with which he had crowned it, he clung to it with hope and courage; but when the struggle could no longer be of any avail, the calmness with which he yielded it was no less manly than the resoluteness with which he had sustained it. As undisturbed as if preparing for sleep, he made his request for a Masonic, Christian burial, and quietly entered the great beyond, where his life will unfold by higher lessons into immortal fullness. Yet too soon he passed on – too soon for this great concourse of saddened comrades and friends; and too soon, oh, how much too soon! for those who taken their leave of him as brother, and father, and husband! And it is for us to sing with our weeping the song of hope:
“Within the maddening seize of things,
And tossed by storm and flood,
To one fixed stake my spirit clings –
I know that God is great.”
At the conclusion of the services at the house, the body was removed to the pavement, and the face expressed in order to gratify the universal desire for one more look at the dead. The procession passed first, and was followed by the immense concourse of people present. The face presented a very natural appearance, with an expression of perfect rest and repose.
The body was enclosed in a draped casket, with silver trimmings and lined with satin. On the plate was simply engraved, “Goodbye R. Ledyard.”
On the lid lay a beautiful wreath of calla lilies and other white flowers. In the center of which was a passion cross composed of red flowers. Capt. W. R. Manning brought from Chicago a beautiful floral basket on pillow, in the center of which was the monogram, “G. R. L.”
The procession then marched to the cemetery, where, with the beautiful ceremonies of the Masonic Order, the body of Geo. R. Ledyard was placed in its final resting place. On request Gov. Buren R. Sherman made a few remarks. He and Mr. Ledyard had been friends of long standing and intimate relation. The feelings of the Governor nearly overcame him, and it was several seconds before he could proceed. However, he finally managed to pay eloquent tribute to the memory of his friend as follows:
My Friends: At last the end has come. The strong man of yesterday has been compelled to succumb. The brave soldier, who has faced death on a hundred battle fields, has at last yielded. The poor, tired feet, which have had so often, so cheerily, and so promptly in the service of friends are finally in rest. The warm heart, filled to overflowing with kindness, and which in it’s every pulsation, was in most sympathetic sympathy with humanity everywhere, is forever stilled. The weary pilgrim has laid down his burden, and put on immortality! – and we, his neighbors and friends, are here to pay our sincere tribute of affection to his memory.
No words of mine can add to the impressiveness of this scene or the solemnity of this occasion. We are again reminded that “in the midst of life we are in death.” I thank God, that it is left us to know, that our friend had no fear of Death; but that as characteristic of him through life – like the soldier who dared to meet the foe – he had courage for the supreme moment, and has left us a heroic example worthy of all imitation.
The end has indeed been reached, and this brotherly brother – this true and honest man – George R. Ledyard – has gone out from us forever. And now, standing here by the open grave of one departed friend and remembering his life and manly virtues, let us each, as says the poet:
“So live that when thy summons comes to join
“The innumerable caravan, which moves
“To that mysterious realm where each shall take
“His chamber in the silent halls of death,
“Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,
“Scourged to they dungeon, but”
Like the friend at our feet –
Sustained and soothed
“By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,
“Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
“About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams” –
Brother, Companion, Sir Knight, farewell!
The sad rites being concluded, the march to the city was made, and the brethren taken to Masonic Hall, where a substantial lunch had been prepared for them, and to which, after their long march, all did ample justice.
Notes
Mr. Ledyard carried Beneficiary Policies in the Workmen, and Masonic of Oskaloosa, $2,000 in each.
Senator Sudlow, and Representatives Dotson and Tool were present at the funeral.
Over 600 were in line of the procession, and many times that number were present to show their respect for Mr. Ledyard. Men rode twenty miles over the almost impassible roads, in order to be at the funeral Sunday.
Mr. Ledyard took his first three Masonic degrees in Pella Lodge, at Pella, passed through the several minor offices and was elected Master. After removing to Monroe he revived Fairview Lodge, and was raised to the Master’s chair. He took his Chapter degrees in Newton, and held all the intervening offices to that of High Priest. He also took his Commandery degrees in Newton – served in all the other offices and was elected Eminent Commander. In the Grand Commandery of Iowa, he was Past Grand Captain General, and in the Grand Chapter, Past Grand King.
There were present at the funeral on Sunday, the following Masonic officials:
Officers of Grand Commandery, - E. E. Ainsworth, Gr. Commander, Des Moines; C. C. Gilman, Gr. Capt. Gen., Marshalltown; S. A. Broodwell, Grand Warden, Logan
Past Grand Officers: - B. R. Sherman, Past Gr. Com., Vinton; John C. Parish, Past Gr. Com., Des Moines; H. S. Winslow, Past Gr. Com., Newton.
Officers of Grand Chapter: - A. C. Sherwood, Gr. H. P., Marshalltown; J. H. Marshall, Gr. Capt. Host, Council Bluffs.
Past Grand Officers: - Caleb Lamb, Past Gr. H. P., Newton
Officers Grand Lodge: - J. W. Wilson, Past Grand Master, Newton.
Wm. E. Ledyard, Milwaukee; Reuben R. Whitaker and wife, Oskaloosa; E. Williams and wife, What Cheer; and Frank Whitaker, of Oskaloosa, were among the relatives from abroad who were present at the funeral.
The Press was represented at the funeral by Charles Leighton, of the Oskaloosa Herald; J. R. Sage, of the Cedar Rapids Republican; a representative of the Des Moines Register, B. C. Ward, of the Prairie City News; John Vandermast, of the Monroe Mirror, and perhaps others whose names we failed to get.
The music, furnished by the Newton Bands on Sunday, was excellent, and drew from the crowds present a full mead of praise. The rendering of that grand and touching melody, “Nearer My God to Thee,” by the Old Band, at the grave, was pronounced by several strangers who were excellent judges of music, the finest and most appropriate piece of band playing they had ever heard.
The will of Mr. Ledyard was filed for probate on Monday. He names Geo. B. Hogin as Trustee for all moneys belonging to the estate, the proceeds to be used for the benefit of his wife; he also devises all his other property, (except the piano, which he gives to Ella), to his wife – at her death the property is to e divided equally between the three children. Mrs. Ledyard and Maj. Hogin are named as executors of the will.
Source: Newton Journal; March 9, 1882, page 3