Edwin Michael (1840-1909)

April 27, at 5 p.m., Edwin Michael of Lake Prairie passed from the scenes of earth.

Obituary

Edwin Michael was one of the native born citizens of West Creek township, and one who had an honored place in the county. He was born Sept. 17, 1840, the older of two living children of John J. and Wealthy Ann Green Michael. His brother William H. Michael lives at his country residence near Lowell. His father, a native of New York state, was born March 22, 1811, and died Nov. 1897.

Edwin Michael was reared in Lake county with the exception of four years spent in Westville, Laporte county, where he attended school. After this he took the literary course at the old University of Chicago.

When his country was in the throes of war and civil strife he bravely offered his services, and his life if need be, to the Union and honor of the old flag. He enlisted at Lowell Aug. 12, 1862, in Co. A 99th Indiana Infantry. He was under Sherman in his campaign from Atlanta to the Sea. He then went home and donned the peaceful garb of the civilian to participate for the rest of his life in the work and public activity of his home community.

Mr. Michael married Jan. 1st, 1866, Miss Thuza H. Dyer, and five children, a son and four daughters, were born to this union, Margaret A., wife of Henry D. Gerrish and Earl J., both of Challis, Idaho, and Julia M., wife of William Kobelin, Miss Idaline and Edna R. who are now living at the old homestead.

About two years previous to his death counseling physicians in diagnosing his case pronounced it organic heart trouble, from which he suffered attacks more or less until last fall. From that time on until about six weeks before his death he endured much, but the last few weeks were filled with the greatest of suffering, and on Tuesday, April 27, at five o'clock, when the sun was begining to dip in the western sky, he peacefully passed away, while a faithful physician and a loving family gathered around his bedside.

Mr. Michael's funeral was held at the home, "Prairie View," on Saturday, May 1, at two o'clock, being deferred this long owing to the non-arrival of his son Earl who started at once upon learning of his father's serious illness.

The service at the home was conducted by their pastor, Rev. Mr. DeLong, who spoke many words of comfort and counsel to both relatives and friends. The choir was all composed of near friends who sang with much feeling the three hymns Mr. Michael loved best.

Everything that was said and done seemed to come from hearts and lips that both loved and respected this honorable, upright man. Many beautiful floral offerings were sent as a small token of the last service of love that could be done for him.

The last and very impressive service was conducted at the cemetery by the G.A.R. Post of which Mr. Michael was a member.

Edwin Michael was one of the native born citizens of West Creek township and one who had an honored place in the county as an upright man and citizen.

He was born September 17, 1840, being the oldest of the only two living children of John J. and Wealthy Ann (Green) Michael. His brother, William H. Michael, lives at his country residence near Lowell, Ind. His father, a native of New York state, was born March 22, 1811, and died in November 1897. Edwin Michael was reared in Lake county with the exception of four years spent in Westville, Laporte county, where he attended school. After this he took the literary course at the old University of Chicago.

When this country was in the throes of war of civil strife he bravely offered his services and his life, if need be, to the union and the honor of the old flag. One of the several campaigns in which he served was with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea. After the war he went home and donned the garb of the civilian to participate for the rest of his life in the work and public activity of his home community.

Mr. Michael was married January 1, 1866 to Miss Thirza H. Dyer, and five children -- a son and four daughters --were born: Margaret A., wife of Henry Gerrish, and Earl J., both of Challis, Idaho, and Julia M., wife of William Kobelin, Jr., Misses Idalene and Edna R., who are now living at the old homestead.

About two years previous to his death counseling physicians in diagnosing his case pronounced it organic heart trouble from which he suffered attacks that were more or less severe until last fall. From that time on until about six weeks before his death he endured much, but the last weeks were filled with the greatest suffering. On Tuesday, April 27, at 5 o'clock when the sun was beginning to dip in the western sky he peacefully passed away. A faithful physician and a loving and endeared family were gathered around him.

Mr. Michael was a trustee of the Lake Prairie Presbyterian church. He took every interest in the church and its welfare and supported it with his means and his personal influence.

The funeral services were held at the home at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 1. The sermon was delivered by Rev. E.E. DeLong and the choir of the Lake Prairie church sang appropriate hymns. After the funeral services at the home the remains of Comrade Michael were escorted by members of Burnham Post, of which he was an honored member, to the Lake Prairie cemetery, where the beautiful G.A.R. ceremony was performed. The following acted as pall-beareres, the first four being members of his Company -- Co. A, 99th Indiana Infantry: J.P. Spalding, Matt. Boney, H.T. Welton, T.D. Dickinson, W.C. Nichols, and R.W. Bacon. The bereaved friends have the sympathy of all in their great bereavement.