Published in The Tribune, December 31, 1913

C. C. REDFIELD

(veteran)

As we write this, the body of a direct descendant of John and Priscilla Alden,, Carlos Clifford Redfield, lies cold in death, in his home, corner 3rd and Grant streets in this city. Carlos is the father of E. B. Redfield, the grocer, and moved here from Harlan Ia., just a year ago tomorrow.

Early in October he had a severe case of the grip and following that a liver trouble set in. On Sunday morning after Thanksgiving day he wasn’t feeling well enough to get up, and from that day he was unable to be up but for a few minutes while his bed was being made up.

A short time before he came here he had a similar spell with his liver, and at that time a heart weakness was noted. He seemed to recover from this thoroughly, but when he became weakened it developed again and was the immediate cause of his death at 9:45 Monday morning. He was conscious up to the last moment, almost, though he was too weak to speak. The tired heart labored vigorously to aerate the blood that was poisoned by the disease, but at last it ceased to beat and he was “gathered to the fathers.”

The funeral will be held at 11 o’clock today from the Congregational church, of which organization he was a faithful and earnest member. His former pastor, Rev. George R. McKeith, now of Exeter, has been sent for to conduct the service, there being no pastor on the field at the present time.

Carlos Clifford Redfield was born in Saybrook, Conn., April 3rd, 1837, and was therefore almost 77 years of age. He was the only son of William Redfield, who was the fifth son of Orrin Redfield, born June 25, 1769, who was the 2nd son of Josiah Redfield, born Aug. 19, 1743, who was the 8th son of Theophilus Redfield, born in 1682, who was the eldest son of James Redfield, born about 1646, who was the only son of William Redfin, or Redfen, who came to this country from England in about 1630 and is the founder of the family in America.

His relation to John Alden is thus traced: John married Priscilla Mullines in Plymouth in 1621 or 1622. Their daughter, Elizabeth, who was the first white child born in New England, was married to William Peabody and their 10th daughter and 12 child, Lydia, married Daniel Grinnel about 1683. Their 2nd daughter, Priscilla, became the wife of Theophilus Redfield on Christmas eve, 1706, at Saybrook, the old home of the family. William C. Redfield, a member of President Wilson’s cabinet, is also a member of this family, his great-great-grandfather, William Redfield, being a brother to Mr. Redfield’s great grandfather Josiah.

Mr. Redfield was reared on a farm and received an academic education. At the breaking out of the Civil war he was engaged in steamboating and the vessel upon which he was employed was chartered by the government, so while he was never enlisted he was actually in the government service during those trying times. Out of the thirty men in the crew Mr. Redfield and two others were the only ones that returned with the boat, so great had been the ravages of disease.

He was bookkeeper and later superintendent in a cotton mill at Rockville, Conn., for four years, moving to Iowa in 1870, settling in Shelby county, 1 ½ miles from Harlan, where he built up a fine farm, parting with it only a year ago when his health was such that he was unable to run it any longer.

He was first married to Miss Dora King at Rockville, Conn., and of that union one son, Clarence, was born. Mrs. Redfield died in 1865 and a year later he married Miss Sarah Buckland, a native of Windsor, Conn. Of this union but one son was born, also, Elbert B., of this city. Both now survive him, also an only sister, Mrs. G. A. Bushnell of Saybrook, Conn.

Mr. Redfield stood high in his community as is evidenced by the fact that he was clerk of Harlan township for 10 years, had been appointed deputy sheriff three terms serving as sheriff for two terms. He had also served as justice of the peace, was secretary of the Shelby County Agricultural society for 5 years, was appointed assistant commissioner to the World’s Fair at New Orleans in 1884, making two trips to that place.

Mr. Redfield belonged to no order, but was a rock ribbed New England Congregationalist, and was a faithful and devoted member of that church at Harlan. When he came to Blair, he and Mrs. Redfield put their letters into the church here and were received by Rev. Geo. R. McKeith, who will speak the last words over his bier at the church today. He was a member of the Iowa State historical Society and about a year ago he was made a member of The Mayflower Society of Hartford, Conn., his Puritan ancestry being so clearly established.

When he was 70 years of age he fell and broke his right leg, but it healed up so thoroughly that he didn’t even limp. About two years ago he was gored by a bull, and but for the fact that the irate animal threw him clean over the fence where he couldn’t finish the job was all that saved his life. When he recovered consciousness he was on the other side of the fence from the bull, but he had one rib broken and was otherwise pretty badly cut up on the wire fence. It was shortly after this that the first trouble with his liver developed and it is believed this accident was really the beginning of the end.

We need add but a few words to the story of the useful and honorable career that has just closed. We knew him but slightly before he came here to live a year ago today. His pure, clean life was clearly written on his kindly face, but the real depth of his strong character could be seen only upon close acquaintance. We are glad and proud to have known such a man and to be able to claim him as a friend.

With us who have known him so short a time the influence of such a life and such a character will live on for many years and we shall miss him greatly. To the wife of 47 happy years the very light of her life has gone out, and she will not cease to mourn until she meets him smiling through her tears on another shore. To their only son and family is left a name and a heritage of which they may be justly proud, and that will brighten through the years. - - Pilot

# 2 - - Enterprise, January 2, 1914

DEATH OF C. C. REDFIELD

After a long illness at his home on Grant Street, a resident of Blair for the past year passed away on Monday, December 29, 1913, aged 77 years.

Mr. Redfield was born in Saybrook, Conn., in 1837, and was a farmer in the eastern states until the breaking out of the civil war when he engaged in steamboating. For a number of years he lived at Harlan, Iowa, but moved to Blair a year ago, in order to be near his son, E. B. Redfield, who is engaged in the grocery business here.

The funeral was held at the Congregational church, Wednesday at 11:00 A.M., Rev. George McKeith, a former pastor, preaching the discourse, and interment made in the Blair cemetery.

Beside the widow, two sons, Clarence and Elbert, survive him.

Deceased was an upright, honorable man who leaves an untarnished name as a heritage to his children. ~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library ~~~ FindaGrave #118069536