R. M. WORKS
The Humboldt Union, Saturday, May 6, 1911
Died: Apr. 29, 1911
ANOTHER
PIONEER GONE.
______
R.
M. WORKS A VICTIM OF PAR-
ALYSIS.
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Death came to this aged pioneer, at his home west of the river, at 4:30 Saturday morning, April 29th. His death had been expected ever since the stroke of paralysis on Monday.
He was born in Essex county, N.
Y., Feb. 20, 1831, and at eleven years of age he was thrown out upon the world
to make his own living. His work was that of a farm hand and other hard
work.
In 1855 he went to Iowa and worked
two years for farmers, but heard of Kansas and came here, to Allen county, and
settled on one of the best tracts of land in the county, where he lived the
remainder of his life. He kept adding to his land until he had fourteen
hundred acres of gilt edged farm land, and his returns from said land, soon made
him a wealthy man.
During the war of the Rebellion he
served three years and four months in Co. G, of Ninth Kansas. When the war
ended he returned home and was married the same year to Mrs. Caroline
Butterfield. Two children was the result of this union: Julia E.,
wife of J. W. Hamm of Humboldt, and C. W. Works, who has been his father’s
“right hand” man in managing his large farm. In 1872 Mr. Work’s wife
died and in 1874 he was married to Mrs. Francis Parker, a daughter of John
Woodin. Four children were born to this union, three of whom are still
living: Robert L., George C, and Mary. In June 1892 Mr. Works lost
his second wife.
Throughout all the years of his
active life Mr. Works has maintained himself pure and righteous among men.
In his quiet and unobtrusive manner he has made and retained warm friendships at
every turn. His whole life illustrates the adage that one should never
weary of well doing.
He was kind, generous and helpful
to those deserving help, and was quite a factor in the building of a new
Humboldt. He owned considerable business property in this city and a large
block of stock in the Humboldt Brick Mfg Co’s plant. Also in the opera
house, etc. He was president of the above named brick company.
The funeral was held at his late
residence Monday at 2:30. Rev. H. A. Gordon of Columbus, Kansas
officiating, and there was an immense crowd of friends present, and the funeral
procession to Mt. Hope cemetery was extra long, showing in what respect he was
held by people of this and adjoining counties.
The family has the deep sympathy of all in its bereavement.