Edward C. Delavan was born in Mills county, Iowa, March 31st, 1876; was baptized Aug. 18th, 1896, and died in the community where he was born and reared, Nov 22d, 1899. Eddie, as he was familiarly called, was more than an ordinary boy and young man; was never known to keep bad company, use a bad word, absolutely obedient to his father and mother, and was never heard to say an unkind word to Richard, his brother, who had been his life companion.

Eddie had all the comforts of a model home that heart could wish, except health. His father has been a prominent citizen of this neighborhood and county for 35 years, and an elder of the old Pleasnat Hill church for 30 years. His mother is a daughter of Uncle Dick Estes, who helped make the history of Mills county.

Eddie was afflicted when only a little boy with white swelling for five long years; was never strong and rugged, but exceedingly brainy and bright; possessed a high literary talent which he manifested in his school days. Many will remember a piece he used to render in public: "There is No Place for a Boy." He had recently been unwell, complained of his head, had become hard of hearing, and it would seem that the only reasonable conclusion for the act by which he took his own life is, he became temporarily insane. Reason being dethroned responsibility ceased; for where there is no law there is no sin, for sin is the violation of law, so said the great apostle.

We have preached many funeral sermons in this community, but this is the saddest of them all. On Nov. 24th, 1890, the writer conducted the funeral of his grandmother Estes. On Nov. 24th, 1893, he conducted the funeral of William Estes, his uncle, and on Nov. 24th, 1899, the last sad respects were paid to a loved son, brother and respected friend. He leaves a father, mother, brother, two sisters and many relatives and friends. Let us console ourselves that Eddie died without an enemy; that God must have loved him; that Christ died for him; that we will all meet him again.

Bro. Kennedy, who preaches for the congregation of the deceased at Pleasnt Hill, assisted in the funeral. Also at this funeral were laid to rest the remains of Charles Delavan, the eldest brother of the father of the deceased, who was killed on his way home from the Confederate army on a furlough, sick. He was apprehended by Gen. Jim Lane's men and shot. The family were then living in Cass county, Mo., and his grave was not known until recently. He was 20 years old when killed. "Peace to his ashes" till the resurrection morn, when all that are in their graves shall come forth.

J.D. McClure



In Memory of E.C. Delavan (Taken from family scrapbook)

Once that home so bright and pleasant,
Naught but happiness was there;
Joy, and mirth, and loving voices,
No one seemed to have a care.
As they gathered round the fireside
When the days work all was done,
Talking laughing, all were happy
In that cosy, lovely home.

Now, alas; how sad the change -
Father's head is bowed with grief,
Mother's heart is almost broken;
(Oh, precious Jesus send relief.)
Loving brother, tender sisters -
All are weeping, sad and lone,
For Death's cold and icy fingers
Have taken their darling home.

Oh, how they loved that noble boy,
Sad will be the weary days;
How they'll miss his gentle footsteps.
How they'll miss his loving ways.
Now that precious voice is stilled,
No more that happy laughter heard;
Only can they find consolation
In the Saviour's Holy Word.

For He says unto the weary:
"Come and I will give you rest;"
And now Eddie's soul is resting
On the Saviour's loving breast.
Only a few more years to mourn him,
Then you'll meet your loved one, dear;
Sickness and suffering for him are over,
He awaits you over there.

The Sabbath school has lost a scholar,
And a faithful, helping hand,
And the church has lost a member
That was a treasure in their band.
The neighborhood has lost a friend,
A voice they loved is still;
All speak of him with praise and love,
All mourn at Pleasant Hill.