OBITUARY: Charles H. Bacon, 1839-1904, Mitchell Co., Iowa

[Mitchell Co. Press - April 28, 1904]



                             Charles H. Bacon

BACON.  The death messenger has been particularly active in our midst during
the last few month, and it seem that there are but few homes in our
community that have not been called to mourn either directly or indirectly.

On Sunday night, April 17th, the home of another of our esteemed citizens was
visited and the husband and father was summoned by the all-conqueror.

Charles H. Bacon was born in Licthfield, N.Y., March 14, 1839, and hence
had but recently entered upon the sixty-fifth year of his age.  When he was
but a child, his parents came to Wisconsin, where her grew to young manhood.

He returned with them to the east but after a few years came west again
to Wisconsin, and later in 1866, to Newbury, Iowa, bringing with him his
parents, where, with the exception of a little time spent in St. Ansgar,
he resided until 1891, when he came to spend his remaining days in Osage.

About three years after coming to Iowa, his father died.  During the ten
remaining years of his mother's life he cared for her with an unusually
tender devotion.

On Nov. 17, 1870, he was united in marriage to Henrietta Davis, also of
Newburg, who besides fulfilling the duties of a faithful wife, shared in
the privilege of caring for his aged mother.  Both his wife and two
daughters still survive and were all permitted to be with him in his
last illness, and to minister to his needs, as only tender hands inspired
by loving hearts can minister.

Among other near relatives may be mentioned his only sister, Mrs. W. D.
Hatch of Osage, and her three children, Mrs. S. W. Cook of Groton, South
Dakota, Mrs. Charles Davis of Abilene, Kansas and Mrs. John Davis of Osage.
Also Chester Titus, Mrs. Bacon's nephew, who since babyhood, has been a
member of Mrs. Bacon's household and regarded with the affection of an
only son.

To one who was so reserved and unassuming as Mr. Bacon, and withal so
opposed to anything suggesting ostentation or show it would be inappropriate
to speak many words.  However to mention a few facts most of which are so
generally known, may not be out of place.  He was universally respected
because of his genuine worth.  "His word was as good as his bond".

No one can say that he ever took advantage in a bargain while may can
testify to his generosity, helpfulness to those less favored than himself,
and to his thoughtfulness.   As in his neighborhood so in his public life,
for he was called to serve on the city council, and on the city school
board, he stood for the best things, for temperance, for strict honesty
in the discharge of civic duty and for the maintenance of a high standard
of uprightness and morality.  But he found his chief delight with his
family, in doing and planning for them. Deprived in his youth of advantages,
he wanted his children to enjoy the best possible. For this he sold his
farm and came to Osage, for this he toiled and sacrificed.

Genial, hospitable, delighting in children, he was often the life of a
company, especially before his hearing began to fail.

The funeral service was held on Wednesday, April 20th, at the home in the
presence of a large assemblage, conducted by Rev. D. I. Coon, and the body
was laid to rest beside those of his parents in the cemetery at St. Ansgar.



   This transcription was submitted to IAGENWEB for personal family history
          purposes only, and shall not be used for personal gain.
               Transcribed by: Marilyn O'Connor, August 2005