Person:Solomon Kettering (1)

Transcription of Obituary:

The community was called upon this week to mourn the sudden departure of Solomon Kettering, who for years was a familiar figure on our streets and an influence in civic, educational, business and church circles. The quick unmooring of his life makes the fact seem almost incredible, but his absence from his accustomed place of business, and the sorrow present in the home and community, tell the sad, sad truth in letters that burn with sorrow and grief.

Mr. Kettering wasn't in the best of health in late years, and the last week found him grappling with the grippe, but in it all he continued business and was cheerful to the extent that his family and friends thought the malady but a passing incident and with time all would be righted. But Monday morning named the hour for his passing into the border land. He went early to the store on a special errand expecting to adjust things for the day and return for breakfast. Several telephone calls failed to get a response and the family naturally concluded that he was on his way home, but Willard, in passing the store room on his way to college, stepped in and found his father in his accustomed chair but lost to consciousness. He immediately summoned Drs. Burd and Gardner, who gave their best effort to restore him, but to no avail. The center of life had been throttled and the weakened heart was unable to successfully battle against the difficulty as present in apoplexy, and peacefully and without a struggle he slept into eternity, and in the passing was far more free from pain than in active life when sickness claimed him. The fire not having been started indicated that the difficulty took him almost as soon as he arrived at the store. He had removed his overcoat and evidently felt exhausted, and thought to revive himself by resting, but instead of finding a temporal rest was admitted into the spiritual rest where forever he shall abide amid joy and gladness and free from pain and sadness.

Mr. Kettering was a native of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and was born July 10, 1847. When three years of age his parents moved to Iowa and settled on the Kettering farm, located near what was early known as the middle Mills. Here he worked and attended school until he gained his majority when he came to Lisbon and associated himself with Signs & Kurtz as clerk, and later worked for their successors, Sutliff & Lewis. Later he held a clerkship with Daniel Buck. In 1872 he became a member of the firm of Davis & Kettering, druggists. Mr. Davis is now in Cedar Rapids, in charge of the money order department in the Post-office, and when told of the passing of Mr. Kettering his eyes filled with tears and his mind as quick as a flash went back thirty-four years and he saw Mr. Kettering as he was then in the vigor of youth and steamed with ambition. After four years Dr. Armstrong purchased the Davis interest and the firm became Armstrong & Kettering – a firm name very familiar to those in mid life. After several years Mr. Kettering assumed entire control of the enterprise and has remained ever since in the same business and at the same location.

Mr. Kettering’s influence was more general than that of a private business. He was long connected with the educational interests of the town in the capacity of school director, having served on the board of education for upward of twenty-five years.

His hand has recorded most of the history of Lisbon as it was made by the City Council. He was the first recorder of the town and, with only a term or two vacation, has held that position ever since, and was still active in that office when life stilled his active brain and ready hand.

In church circles his influence likewise has been felt and his ambition to see righteousness prevail helped to mold character in his fellows and told for improvement in church property as it is now present in the beautiful M. E. church and here, as elsewhere, he shall ever live and be known to those who shall enjoy the fruits of his labors.

Mr. Kettering was married to Miss Mary Coe, Dec. 10th, 1871. Six children blessed the union – two daughters, Ella and Sarah, and four sons, Lewis, Ralph, Ernest and Willard. The entire family, save Ella, survive him. Ella died Feb. 1st, 1903. The entire family are present in the home of sorrow, surrounded by sympathizing friends and a hallowed memory of a loving husband and good father.

Memorial services were held at the home this Thursday at 2:00 o’clock and at the church at 2:30, where a large gathering of friends met to pay honor to a noble life. Interment was held in the local cemetery. Rev. H. J. Bowder, his pastor, officiated at the various services, assisted by Dr. D. S. Fouse.