DR. FAWCETT DEAD

This community was again shocked and startled last Friday afternoon to hear of the sudden death of Dr. S. H. Fawcett, which occurred about three o’clock on the afternoon of that day. While the deceased had been ailing for some considerable time, and while it was hardly hope that he could again recover, yet his taking-away was sudden and was not looked for at that time. He had been apparently about the same all day, when at about three o’clock he complained of being cold, and as his wife turned her back to stir up the fire, he suddenly raised up from the lounge and fell over dead. Members of the family were notified as quickly as possible and they were soon gathered round to offer what consolation was possible to the broken-hearted wife, and to make the burden of her loss as light as circumstances would permit. From the fact of the sudden manner in which Dr. Fawcett was taken away, it is evident that heart failure was the immediate cause of his death.

Dr. Silas H. Fawcett was born in Moorefield, Hardy county, Virginia Nov. 26, 1821, where he spent his boyhood days at the home of his parents. In 1840 he moved into Indiana, where he married Miss J. Harland in 1851, at Hokoma, the same state. In 1868 he with his wife and family moved to Nebraska and immediately settled in this county, where they have resided since, and have been residents of this town since 1869. During their married life eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett, but three of whom are living at this time—Harland is the youngest and has a family of his own, Edward who has always made his home with his parents, and Mrs. Charles McMenemy. During the early days in Blair, and when this city was being laid out in town lots, Dr. Fawcett was among the first to purchasse a Blair city lot and built a home thereon. He was postmaster of this city for seven years and has until within the past five years been a successful medical practitioner.

It is needless to say at this time that in the taking away of Dr. Fawcett, Blair and Washington county have lost one of their most worthy and oldest citizens. In the time of the early building up of this county, when willing hands were needed to push young enterprises to a successful completion, Dr. Fawcett was always found in the forefront of any movement that had for its tendency the building up or betterment of mankind. He has been a valuable factor in the history of this county and state and leaves behind a record which will serve as a monumental tribute to his memory for years to come. While he has been taken from our midst, the fruits of his labor will ever remain as a pleasant token to those who were dear to him.

The funeral services were conducted from the family residence Sunday afternoon at two o’clock. Short services were conducted by Rev. Geo. Williams and the Masonic order, of which fraternal organization he was a retired member, and a choir consisting of F.H. Claridge, F.M. Castetter, Mrs. Flora C. Nash and Mrs. F. H. Claridge rendered some very appropriate music. The remains were interred in the Blair cemetery and were followed to their last resting place by a large concourse of sorrowing friends and relatives. In their hour of sad affliction and sorrow, the bereaved family have the sympathy of a large circle of friends, who keenly feel the loss of one of our oldest and most respected citizens.

~~~Obituarycourtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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