William Adams (1819 - 1891)

ADAMS, MILLIGAN, WHEELER, WILSON, NEFF

Posted By: Karen Brewer (email)
Date: 2/12/2022 at 18:27:53

The Osceola Weekly Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa
April 16, 1891, Page 3

Mr. William Adams died at his home four miles east of Osceola of dropsy of the heart. He was born January 6, 1819 in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Moved with his parents to Wheeling, West Virginia where he remained for several years. In 1835 he moved to Warren county, Illinois and in 1844 was married to Nancy J. Milligan, who died in 1852. To them four children were born, all of whom lived to be grown. In 1854 he was married to Lucretia Wheeler and to their union four children were born. He moved in 1858 to Clarke county where he buried his second companion in 1863. In 1864 he married Mrs. Irena Wilson and to them five children were born. Four of his children, two sons and two daughters have passed beyond the river.

He had a very sick spell one year ago, and since then at times would complain of a shortness of breath, but no pain. Nothing serious was apprehended till the day before he died, when he had a sinking feeling, but from that he rallied, and said he felt better than he had for some time. He was a man of great strength, determined resolution and was cheerful to the last. Tuesday morning, when his daughter, Mrs. Charity Neff, came to see him he said; "I must get up and hold my boy," (meaning her baby) so he did. Then when dinner was ready, got up and said he would take the dinner in the sitting room and after dinner he took his usual smoke. He was then feeling worse and said, "I'd better go to bed. His son ran for a couple of men who were working near, they came, gathered him from his chair, laid him on his bed, and he lived but a few minutes. Just before the men came he said as he noticed the tears on his daughter's cheeks, "Don't weep, we all have to go and I'm ready." The week before in speaking of a funeral in the neighborhood, he told his wife, "I'll be the next one." The last few weeks of his life he took great satisfaction in reading the Bible.

Grandpa Adams, as every one knew him was a kind husband, an affectionate father and a good neighbor. He was a member of the Presbyterian church for several years. His companion and nine children who are left to mourn have the sympathy of a large circle of friends in this their so sad and sudden bereavement.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Dunlap, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Osceola cemetery.
B. G. K.