Adam Leslie Middleton

MIDDLETON

Posted By: Jane Middleton (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:46

Eagle Grove _______August 18, 1926
FINAL RITES FOR ADAM MIDDLETON
Remains Laid to Rest in Troy Cemetery, Near His Boyhood Home
Adam Middleton was buried in Troy cemetery last Sunday afternoon. The funeral services were held in the Methodist Church at 2:30. Every bit of available space in the large audience room and lecture room was occupied by friends and relatives of the deceased and of his family. The service was in charge of the Rev W.T. MacDonald, life long friend of Mr Middleton and acting pastor of the Methodist church during the absence of Rev Muhleman. The sermon was in the nature of a personal tribute from one friend to another, comforting to the relatives and the hundreds of friends of the family who had assembled to pay a final tribute. Editor Betz of the Farmers Elevator Guide was present and read a poem of his own composition, which is printed at the end of this article. The Methodist choir furnished the music and the pall bearers were close friends and associates of the deceased. Burial was in Troy cemetery where the Masonic service was given.
The community feels a material loss in the passing of Mr Middleton. He gave freely of his time, money ad energy for community benefit, even when he knew it was to the detriment of his own business. The cooperative movement always found a friend in Mr Middleton. He was the second president of the local Farmers Cooperative Company, and was one of the organisers of the state association and served on the state board of directors. He was president of the Cooperative Journal Co. Frequently he was called to Chicago and Washington to confer on farm relief measures. He was recognised as an authoritative, reliable spokesman for the farmer throughout the corn belt.
He started out in Troy township a poor boy and had accumulated 650 acres of land together with the necessary stock and machinery needed for the cultivation of that large acreage. Mr Middleton was also president of the American Farmers Mutual Life Insurance company of Des Moines, a new company which received the charter the day Mr Middleton died.
The loss of a man like Mr Middleton is a serious blow to any community. However, as Rev McDonald stated in his funeral sermon, we are glad we have had him. The world is better that he has lived, even for so short a period of time.And the universal sympathy of everybody is extended those whose loss is irreparable, the members of his immediate family The following obituary was read by Rev McDonald at the funeral service.
OBITUARY
Adam Leslie Middleton, son of Jose and Lois Middleton was born Sept 19, 1873, and departed from this life August 18, 1926, age 52 years, 10 months, 29 days.
Adam was the next to the youngest in a family of nine children. Three sisters, Ruth, Nora, and Alice and one brother, Sumner have preceded him in death. One sister, Lizzie Vaughan, of Caldwell, Idaho, and three brothers, Elbert, Elza, and Oliver of Washington State remain, none of whom were able to be present at the funeral.
IN 1901 he married Mamier E. Price of Paris, Wisconsin, to whom four children were born, Talford Leslie, Hale Ross (who died in infancy), Helen Ester and Myra Alice. These remain to mourn the loss of a loving husband and kind father.
Adam was born at the old Middleton homestead just west of the Troy church, and here he spent his boyhood days and grew to manhood. He received his education at the Troy school commonly known as the "Hub" and later attended several terms at the Highland Park college at Des Moines.
He united with the Methodist Episcopal church of Troy at the age of fifteen years, and was always a consistent and active member. Last Easter, he with the other members of his family united with the Eagle Grove Methodist Episcopal church by letter.
Adam always took an active interest in anything pertaining to the betterment of the community in which he lived and was deeply interested in all cooperative movements which he felt might be beneficial to the farmer. For many years he acted as president of the Eagle Grove Cooperative company, and also served as director on the board of the state organisation. Since 1911 he has been president and director of the Farmers Cooperative Journal. He was a member of the Farm Bureau and took part in all of its activities since its organisation.
Saturday morning, August 14, while driving cattle from the pasture, he was thrown from his horse and was so injured that he died Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 without gaining consciousness and progress.
The following were among those attending the funeral from out of the city: Chas Hearst, Cedar Falls :Ray L Gribben, Des Moines; Clarke Huntley, Chariton; Guy Roberts, Monroe; Ryle McKee, Carlisle; J L Starke, Corydon; W L Lawhorn, Garner; R K Bliss, Ames; John W Coverdale, Cedar Rapids; Mr and Mrs Howard Clemons; Mr and Mrs J E Wooters, Ames; Leland Wooters, Des Moines; Mr and MrsChester Schoby, Altona, Mr and Mrs Heike Rust, Sheffield; Wm McArthur, Mason City; Mr Netzer and Mr Files, Mason City; Mr and Mrs R Holman, Rockwell. Also, Mres Middleton's four sisters, Mrs T Mulenback, Bristol, Wis;Mrs J E Foulke and son, Lowell, Spring Grove, Ill; Mrs H Westlake, Union Grove Wis; Miss Frances Price, Paris, Wis; Walter Price, Union Grove, Wis; Mrs Anna Price and Mr and Mrs George Grieve, Webb; Miss Emily eade, Sioux Rapids; also number of relatives from Webster City and vicinity.
To Adam Middleton by F S Betz
Editor, Farmers Elevator Guide
Dear Friend,we've come to bid a found
Farewell to you one earth
You've been a friend, a faithful friend
In trouble, work or mirth.
Your life was like an open book
You were a friend to man.
You spoke why you thought was the truth.
'Twas true, the course you ran.
You lived more in the few brief years
You walked among us here,
Because your life was crowded full
Of service year by year.
Contentment was not yours as long
As you could lend a hand
to all your fellows needing help,
Were'er your keen eye scanned
you took live interest in affairs
Off home, of state of all
The matters that affect mankind_
None were regarded small.
When you consider things as wrong
YOu'd FIGHT to make them right,
E'enthuse with whom you might contend
Revered you in the fight.
You much PREFERRED to live in peace
Which you, betimes , restored
Where selfish interests blindly fought
And justice was ignored.
Your body now reruns to earth_
To earth from whence it came.
To finite sense, you'll be obscured,
But we shall have your name.
Your body's gone. Your spirit lives,
Shall live for evermore,
to spur us one, to cheer, to bless,
To show the open door-
The door of opportunity
to do, to dare, to live
A life of usefulness and hoy,
Such as you'd have us live.
Farewell, Farewell, Farewell, Farewell!
May God His peace bestow
Upon your spirit as you rise
Above us here below,
May there a double portion of
Thy spirit dwell with us
That we may better do our work
And serve Our fellow thus.