Samuel Lucius Bestow occupies a prime piece of Chariton Cemetery real estate where the long drive that bisects the original plat turns south, surrounded by such luminaries as the Copelands, the Stuarts and the Stewarts. But he doesn't get much respect these days, having faded into obscurity as most politicians do.
He was a conscientious, honest gentleman who served Iowa well as state representative, state senator and lieutenant governor, but truth be told he was a little boring. He defeated the Hon. Smith H. Mallory in a run for state senate during 1876 but, unlike Mallory, did not leave behind a legendary mansion. Nor were there signature pieces of legislation and certainly no scandals. His children all lived elsewhere.
When he died at 83 during January of 1907, however, Chariton Leader editor Henry Gittinger gave Bestow a full two-column sendoff, worthy of his standing, published under the headline, "His Life Work Ends." Here it is, containing just about all you need to know about this august gentleman:
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Samuel Lucius Bestow was a native of Erie county, New York. He was born at Williamsville on March 8, 1823, and died at his home in Chariton, Iowa, January 10, 1907, his age therefore being 83 years, 8 months and 2 days. He descended from New England revolutionary stock, his father being Job Bestow, one of the pioneers of Erie county, who settled there from Hillsdale, Massachusetts, as early as 1812. His mother's family name was Rogers --- Guelma Roges. He was the only son of a family of five children. Two sisters survive him, Mrs. Charlotte Fairchilds of Union City, Penn., and Mrs. Elma Smith of Chicago.
Early in life he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Ayer, in their native state, and to them were born four children, Job Bestow now of Chicago, Mrs. Lucy A. Huver, Williamsville, New York, Mrs. Laura J. Smith, Mercer, Penn., and Lucius Bestow, who died in Chicago on Jan. 22, 1899. Mr. Job Bestow and Mrs. Huver were present at the funeral but the other daughter, Mrs. Smith, could not be reached as she was on an ocean voyage to Florida at the time of her father's death. Also F.S. Huver, who accompanied his wife from New York, Frederick Bestow, a grandson from Chicago, and Mrs. William Dressel, former wife of Lucious Bestow, of Chicago, were present at the obsequies.
Mr. Bestow came to Lucas county, Iowa, in the fall of 1869, purchasing a farm two miles east of this city, where he resided until after his wife died, on April 22, 1900, when he sold it, gave up business and came to live in town.
The funeral was held from the home at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13, conducted by Rev. McCullagh, of the Presbyterian church, and the Masonic fraternity, of which he was an honored member of the Knight Templar degree. Many came to pay their tribute of respect to an honored citizen. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the family burial plot, beside those of his companion, in the Chariton cemetery, consigned after the beautiful ritual ceremonies, in the presence of friends, who spoke "farewell" with uncovered heads.
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As a citizen no eulogy is needed. Suffice it to say he met the requirements as they presented themselves and shrank from no responsibilities. He was frank with his fellow men and just in his dealings and had a humane spirit which caused him to consider the needs of others as well as himself. He had no patience with profligacy or shams but took a real delight in the genuine, no difference the position in life. As a business man he had had a long and eventful career. He had his ups and downs in business as well as sorrows and joys in everyday life, but met them all with due consideration. His earlier years were spent in farming and stock dealing. Later he secured government contracts and for two or three years during the war of the rebellion was with the Fifth Army Corps in that capacity. Afterwards he engaged in the manufacturing business and was the proprietor of a paper mill, but just preceding his removal to Iowa was in the lumber and hardware business at Williamsport, Penn. Since coming to Iowa, farming has been his occupation.
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He represented Lucas and Clarke counties in the Senate during the 16th and 17th general assemblies, being elected as a republican, defeating the Hon. S.H. Mallory. He served his constituents faithfully and well in that capacity and gained more than a passing reputation in dealing with certain committees appointed to examine into certain irregularities in the Ft. Madison penitentiary, known as "the Craig Steals." Senator Bestow's part of the report was scathing and was the means of saving the state many thousands of dollars, even though Craig's whinings for clemency, through the partisan prejudices of the times, shielded him from adequate punishment, but not by consent of Mr. Bestow, however.
Later Mr. Bestow affiliated with the democrats owing largely to their stand on the tariff and other national questions and has been in the party councils ever since. He made the race for Lieutenant Governor on the ticket with Horace Boles, the latter being elected, but, as the Sioux City Journal said, "Mr. Bestow fell just outside the breastworks," but the second time he was more successful and not only Gov. Boles was re-elected but Mr. Bestow and the entire democratic ticket. He presided over the deliberations of the senate of the 24th General Assembly with unassuming dignity and retired with a statewide respect not confined to party lines. Those were memorable days in Iowa politics and are held as proud epochs --- especially by the party whose representatives then were, for it is a fortune to any state to have its political lists headed by men of the Boles and Bestow quality. They were both orators, of wide experience, fine appearance, brilliant, honest and courageous and the stump was made a forum of eloquence by their presence and the state richer through their services.
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Senator Bestow became a prey to an asthmatic trouble last May which held on with more or less severity until August. In October he was taken with rheumatism, which increased with intensity as time went by, until a few days prior to his death pneumonia set in. He came up town on election day to vote, but it was with great effort and pain. This was the last time that he got away from home. He never lost his interest in local or public matters and was rational to the very close of life. The last public address he made was at the Banker's Banquet in Chariton more than a year ago and while his ideas seemed as clear as of yore it was noticed he had much difficulty in his expression of thought. He presided at the meeting of the Hon. Claude Porter, candidate for governor, held in Chariton last fall, but did not attempt a speech further than the introduction and a few timely remarks. Thus it is truly said, "The silver cord has been loosened, dust has returned to earth as it was and the spirit to the God who gave it."
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Many columns could be written concerning Mr. Bestow's private and public career, of interest to the reader, but we must forego the pleasure, and touch on but a few. It is a matter of fact not generally known that he could have been, in all probability, governor of Iowa, instead of Horace Boles, had he but spoken the word. At the time of the first nomination of Horace Boles, W.E. Lewis, of this city, was a member of the state committee and there was not a democrat in the commonwealth better posted on affairs or wielded more influence than him. For some time they had been casting about for a suitable candidate for governor and it seemed about an equal choice betwen Boles and Bestow, but just preceding the convention Mr. Lewis discovered that the sentiment for Bestow was much stronger than for any other man. On the evening prior to the meeting of the convention Lewis urged him to let his name go before the delegates for the first place on the ticket, but he said "no;" that he had promised to support Boles for first place and would not break his pledge. And thus history was made.
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Like all business men Mr. Bestow had his successes and misfortunes. It was while he was in the paper manufacturing business in his native state that he met a great financial loss. He had, through his prosperity, erected what was then considered a fire-proof building and placed therein the finest of equipment and machinery, costing many thousands of dollars. Thinking he was secure in the quality of his structure he had inadequate insurance when a destructive conflagration came and he saw the results of his years of energy and industry melted into ruins.
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It is likely no person feels the death more keenly than Miss Helen Hettinger, who has been a member of the family fifty-two years. She was an orphan without a home in the old state, and came to live with the Bestows. During all these years she has been one of the family and has ever regarded each member with true devotion. Mrs. Huver speaks of her loyalty to those who have passed to the great beyond and of the interest and care she has unstintedly lavished upon the younger members while children in the old homestead. Mr. Frank Smith, a nephew, has also been a member of the family since 1882, coming here from Chicago, and he also realizes sadly that the home is like a broken reed swayed in the adverse winds.
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Helen Hettinger continued to live in Chariton --- in a small house on South 8th Street --- until her death during 1930. She had been provided for in the Bestow will and the Bestow children gave her the family property in Chariton, which she sold because it was more than she needed. She was laid to rest on the Bestow lot beneath a headstone that matches those of Samuel and Mary.
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