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From: "Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert" <>
Subject: OBITUARY - ELLIS FLEMING.
Date: Fri, 01 Jun 2001 18:56:30 -0500

Decatur County Journal
April l7, l898

ELLIS FLEMING was born in Washington County, Ohio, February l2, l859;
died at his home in Woodland, Iowa, April 4, l898, aged 39 years, l
month, and 23 days. He had suffered from the dread
disease--consumption--for more than twenty-three years.

On September 23, l886, in Washington County, Ohio, he was married to
MISS ADDA SCOTT. MR. FLEMING was a physician of considerable ability,
having begun the study of medicine at the age of eighteen and graduating
at Keokuk, Iowa, at the age of twenty-one years. He began to practice
at his home in Ohio, but after seven years he came to Woodland, Iowa,
where he continued to practice until his death. There still survives to
mourn his departure the wife, a child, three brothers and one sister.
The esteem in which DR. FLEMING was held by his neighbors was manifested
by the great crowd that attended his funeral.

The funeral service was conducted by the Masons, C.F. STEVENS, Pastor of
the Christian Church of Leon preaching the sermon.

There's a gathering in the village,
That has never been outdone
Since the soldiers took their muskets
To the war of sixty-one;

And a lot of lumber wagons
Near the church upon the hill,
And a crowd of country people,
Sunday-dressed and very still.

Now each window is pre-empted
By a dozen heads or more,
Now the spacious pews are crowded
From the pulpit to the door;

For with coverlet of blackness
On his portly figure spread,
Lies the grim old country doctor,
In a massive oaken bed,

Lies the fierce old country doctor
Lies the kind old country doctor,
Whom the populace considered
With a mingled love and dread.

Maybe half the congregation,
Now of great or little worth,
Found in many stubborn battles
With the foes that sought their life.

In the night time or the daytime,
He would rally brave and well,
Though the summer lark was flying,
Or the frozen lances fell;

Knowing if he won the battle,
They would praise their maker's name,
Knowing if he lost the battle,
Then the doctor was to blame.

'Twas the brave old virtuous doctor,
'Twas the good old family doctor,
'Twas the faithful country doctor
Fighting stoutly all the same.

When so many pined in sickness,
He had stood so strongly by,
Half the people felt the notion
That the doctor couldn't die.

They must slowly learn the lesson
How to live from day to day,
And have somehow lost their bearing
Now this landmark is away.

But perhaps it still is better
That his busy life is done;
He has seen old views and patients
Disappearing one by one;

He has learned that Death is master
Both of Science and of Art;
He has done his duty fairly,
And has acted out his part.

And the strong old country doctor,
And the weak old country doctor,
Is entitled to a furlough
For his brain and for his heart.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert

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