Primghar Veteran Answers Last Call
I.L. Rerick, Aged 91,
Dies at Home in Primghar Saturday June 20. Funeral Held Monday Afternoon.
I.L. Rerick, Civil War veteran, former County Supervisor and County Recorder, fifty-two years a resident of
O'Brien county, passed away at his home in this city Saturday, June 20, at 9:15 p.m. and was buried in Pleaant Hill cemetery, Primghar, Monday afternoon, services being held at the Methodist church conducted by Rev. Breaw.
Mr. Rerick had long been prominent in the political and community life of
O'Brien county, coming here in 1871 and settling on a farm in
Liberty township, later removing to Paullina, where he served as
Mayor at one time and he was also a member of the Board of Supervisors in 1872.
When Primghar was made the county seat the first letter of the names of its citizens was taken to form the name, that of Mr. Rerick furnishing one of the "Rs."
He was elected County Recorder in 1898 and served two terms coming with his family to Primghar at that time and purchasing the home in which he has since lived and where he died.
The weight of increasing years took their toll from him and the past year he has been gradually growing weaker and the past month or six weeks he has been confined to his home most of the time and death came as a sweet relief from suffering.
His passing leaves but five veterans of the Civil War in Primghar. He was a good soldier and had an enviable war record, having taken part in the battles of
Fort Henry,
Fort Donelson,
Shiloh, Tupelo, Meridian, Jackson,
Pilot Knob,
Fort de Russy.
Mr. Rerick was the father of a splendid family, was an upright Christian citizen, held in the highest esteem by every one and his death has cast a gloom over the entire community.
As a token of respect for the deceased and his family all business houses were closed from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Monday during the funeral.
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Obituary.
Isaac L. Rerick was born at South Bend, Ind., May 4, 1834 and died at his home in Primghar on June 20, 1925 at 9:15 p.m. at the ripe age of 91 years, 1 month and 16 days.
He came to
Boone County,
Iowa in 1856 and was united in marriage to Samantha Ellen
Clark on March 22, 1857. To them were born seven children; Henry Rerick of Primghar;
Manford of Seattle, Wash.; Mrs. Ida
Bunce of Calumet; Mrs. Mary E. Wilkinson of Westboro, Mo.; Mrs. Dora
Yuill of Des Moines; Mrs. Bertha Yeager of Popejoy; and Ross Carl of Sioux City.
He with his family moved to
O'Brien county March 7, 1871, residing in Paullina and finally settling in Primghar, where he served in public office as County Recorder for two terms 1898 - 1902. He was also elected County Supervisor in 1872 and
Mayor of Paullina in 1883.
When the name Primghar was made up of the first letter in the names of the old-time residents one of the Rs was given to represent the name of I.L. Rerick.
He was a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted as a Corporal on Sept. 28, 1861 at Vandalia,
Iowa in Company E of the Fourteenth
Iowa Infantry. He served in nine important engagements, was taken prisoner - April 6, 1862 at
Shiloh and served fifty-two days in the prison at
Macon,
Ga. He was wounded severely at the battle of
Pleasant Hill,
La., on April 9, 1864 and was home on furlough six months, when he returned to the army and remained until his discharge on Dec. 12, 1864 at
Davenport.
His wife died at Primghar on Sept. 30, 1919 and three years later he married to Mrs. Mary
Hastings, who with his children and other relatives and many friends remain to mourn his departure.
He was converted in a revival meeting held in a school house in
Liberty township about fifty-five years ago and early united with the Methodist Episcopal church where he held every important office and remained an honored and respected member to the day of his death.
It may well be said of him:
Servant of God well done,
Thy glorious warefare's past,
The battle's fought, the race is won
And thou art crowned at last.
Let faith exalt her joyful voice,
And now in triumph sing,
O grave, where is thy victory,
And where, Oh Death, thy sting.
Source:
O'Brien county Newspaper - Primghar,
O'Brien county,
Iowa. Thursday, June 25, 1925