Nelson P. Gustafson, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
Nelson P. Gustafson
Death of Nelson P. Gustafson.
MR. EDITOR: -- As various reports are in circulation concerning the death of Mr. Gustafson, I deem it my duty to give to the public a more correct accout, as a good deal has been said about his children neglecting him. One paper having published the statement that he "froze to death under an old shed."
Mr. Gustafson was a man 50 years old and lived by himself in a comfortable dwelling surrounded by his children, although none of them lived nearer him than one mile. His children are all in comfortable circumstances and had all repeatedly urged their father to make his home among some of them. But like many another he preferred his own home as a general thing, yet was accustomed to spending several days at a time with some of them.
On Sunday, January 11th, he spent the day with his son's family, seemed unusually cheerful, was boasting that he could do more work than any of his boys. Toward evening he returned to his own home and was never seen alive again. During the week his sons both visited the house and finding the doors locked each supposed him to be at the home of the other, consequently thought nothing strange. It coming on extremely cold the roads were blockaded with snow and people were stirring as little as possible. On the following Sunday his son Andrew, driving in the direction of his father's, thought to stop a awhile at his house. He thought of nothing wrong until upon trying the door found it still locked. He then went around to a window and looking in beheld the lifeless body of his father stretched upon the floor. He immediately procured assistance and entered the house. There was no evidence of any sickness. His bed was just as he had left it upon rising to build a fire. He had put the wood in the stove with kindlings which had partly burned and gone out. He had fallen over the floor and probably expired instantly, as there was no evidence of any struggle. His house was comfortably furnished, plenty of bedding, two stoves, sufficient fuel and food, and came no nearer freezing to death than Schuyler Colfax or numerous others that we read of daily as dropping dead.
The sad loss of a father, together with the manner of his death, is hard enough for his children to bear without unjust censure from a public which is misinformed as to the facts of the case.
The writer of this article is not a relative in any way, but offers this as a true statement in behalf of his children. Mr. Gustafson's funeral was held at Robbin's church in the north part of the county, near his late residence, and was followed to the grave by a large circle of relatives and friends.
Newspaper: The Tribune
Date of Publication: February 12, 1885
Volume Number: 1
Issue Number: 46
Page: 1
Column(s): 5
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook