Zea, Sylvester (1819 - 1912)
Denison Review 7-3-1912
The End of Earthly Toil- Sylvester Zea, Born April 10, 1819,
Passes to Great Beyond on June 28th at Arion
- Came to Crawford In 1864
- Sold the Tracy Chapman Farm in '66 for a Span of Colts, Two Cows and $500 in Money.
Sylvester Zea was born April 10, 1819 at Burns in York State and died at Arion, Iowa June 28, 1912.
In the year 1840 he was united in marriage to Marie Van Vliet and for 59 years they fought life's battle, endured life's hardships and tasted of its joys together. After a few years they moved to Tama county, Iowa, in 1854 where they lived ten years. In 1864 Mr. Zea and his son-in-law, Mr. Dunbar, came to Crawford county to look at the country, having walked part of the way as there was no railroad.
Being pleased with the country they returned for their families and came to Crawford county by the old prairie schooner method. Their first year here in 1865 was spent on the old Denison farm just southeast of Denison. In 1866 they rented the Sol Slater place and later Mr. and Mrs. Zea ran the tavern on the old stage road near the Slater place. The stage line ran from Des Moines by way of Boone to Council Bluffs. The coming of the railroad soon ended the career of the stage line and the little tavern.
Mr. Zea owned the Tracy Chapman farm and in July 1866 he sold the farm to Tracy Chapmen for two cows, a span of colts and $500 in money and returned to Tama county. In the spring of 1878 they returned to Crawford county and bought 160 acres at Dunham's Grove, which he improved and afterward sold to the Kinney boys. They rented what was known as the Graham place at Dunham's Grove where he farmed a number of years, and afterwards moved to Deloit, at which place he has since resided.
Mr. and Mrs. Zea were the parents of ten children, six were born in New York and four in Iowa. In the year 1890 Mr. and Mrs. Zea celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, which was greatly enjoyed. The mother of the family died August 28, 1899. After her death he made his home a few years with his granddaughter, Mrs. Lilly Darling, whom he and his wife had cared for since childhood, and then among his children. Five of his children had preceded him to the grave.
Those left to mourn the loss of an ever kind and loving father are: Mrs. Nancy Dunbar, Mrs. Frederick Landon and Mr. Isaac Zea of Deloit and Mrs. Wm. Hunt of Omaha and Mr. and Mr. George of Arion. Fifty-one grandchildren and six great-grandchildren are living.
He was a firm and constant believer of Christ and a sincere Christian. His funeral was held Sunday at 11 a.m. Rev. Eddy officiating. The pall bearers were Chas. Shives, J. Inghram, Geo. Hutchinson, F. H. Brogden, W. T. Huckstep and Geo. Winans and his remains were laid to rest by the side of his wife in the Deloit cemetery. The family wishes hereby to express their gratitude for the kindness shown and the many floral offerings at the church.
Submitted by Melba McDowell