Obit: Colburn, Nelson (1835 - 1906)
Poster:  Stan
Email:  posted4u@charter.net
 

Surnames: COLBURN RATHBONE HORRELL

---------Source: HUMBIRD ENTERPRISE (Humbird, Clark County, Wis.) 04/21/1906

--------- Colburn, Nelson (17 NOV 1835 - 13 APR 1906)

Nelson Colburn died at his home in this village (Humbird, Clark County, Wis.) last Friday evening at 9:15, of uremia, which was brought on by an attack of apoplexy. Duration of his illness was one week. His age was 70 years, 4 months and 26 days.

He leaves a wife and two children, Cullen of Elroy and Mrs. Carrie Horrell of this village, besides nine grandchildren, to mourn his death. Four children have preceded him to the spirit world, Irving, James E., Mrs. Lillie L. Nelson, and a babe of two months.

The funeral services were held Monday morning from the M. E. Church, Rev. Haskell preaching the sermon, conducted by the Masonic Lodge, and the remains were taken to Arcadia and laid at rest beside the dear ones in the family lot in the little cemetery in the Trempealeau valley. The Masonic Lodge of Arcadia said the last sad rites over the grave of the departed brother.

Nelson Colburn was born in Nunday, Livingston Co., N.Y., Nov. 17, 1835. When he was twelve his father's family removed to Loweville, Penn., where a mill was purchased. Mr. Colburn aided his father in operating this flouring mill for the next six years, when the mill was sold and he came west to Wisconsin. After two years he returned to his home in Pennsylvania and was married to Miss Nancy Jane Rathbone on Nov. 26, 1857. He worked at the milling business and on his father's farm until 1866, when he came with his wife to Arcadia, arriving Nov. 17th. Her he worked in a flouring mill one and a half years, then followed removals to Sechlerville, working one year; Cataract, one year; North Bend, three years; then back to Arcadia, where he and his brother began the erection of a mile, but sold before it was completed. At the end of six months Mr. Colburn was employed in West Salem, remaining one year and was then employed in the Melrose mill nine years. At the end of that time he disposed of his farm near Arcadia and purchased a farm near this village, where he moved his family in 1883. He did not operated the farm but entered the employ of W. T. Price in his mill at Hixton, where he worked for six years. This ended his career as a miller, and in 1889 he came to the farm and operated it for four years. Mr. Colburn then disposed of his farm property and came to Humbird to live, and here he has since resided, conducting a flour and feed store. He was a man who was always interest in the up-building of the town and gave his help towards promoting each worthy enterprise.

Over thirty years ago Mr. Colburn became affiliated with the Masonic order, being inducted into its teachings at Black River Falls. At the time of his death he was a member of Humbird Lodge No. 191. He had been a member of the board of supervisors of the town of Mentor, and was a man of sterling worth, an excellent neighbor, a kind husband and a loving father, and will long live in the grateful remembrances of those who knew him.

A good man and true has departed this life, but while we tenderly lay him away and the form fades, his dust to mingle with the dust of mother earth, we can only look away to the Supreme Ruler of the universe and say, "Thy will be done."