My father spoke of you frequently with love and awe. In 2011 there are very few who knew you when you were alive--maybe a few who were children in 1921 when you passed on. So--in your honor I am putting both of your obituaries in my blog so the Eggleston descendants can learn more about you. I know you would have been so proud that your grandson Donald became a doctor, grandson Raymond became a lawyer, and granddaughter Mary Elizabeth became a nurse. And all three were World War II veterans.
(See June 23, 2011 blog for photographs of Madison Joseph Eggleston)
Obituary from "The Leader-Courier" Kingman, Kingman County, Kansas, Friday, May 20, 1921
M.J. EGGLESTON PASSES AWAY
M.J. Eggleston one of the aged residents of Kingman passed away at the city hospital yesterday morning May 19th, 1921, aged a little more than 85 years. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 4 p.m. at the home of his son Frank D. Eggleston, 663 [636] North Spruce street, conducted by Rev. W.R. Johnson. The burial service to be in charge of and conducted by the Masonic fraternity of which order he had been a member for many years.
Deceased was best known among his intimate friends in Kingman and elsewhere as "Dad" Eggleston, and his friends were many, wherever he was known, as he was a congenial companion and associate and a most interesting conversationalist. His wide experience in the affairs of the world gave him a vast fund of universal knowledge to draw from.
He was a native of Michigan, and from there entered the service of his country as a soldier in the Civil war, in a Michigan regiment serving with bravery and marked distinction, participating in many of the hardest battles of the war.
After his services had ended as a soldier he returned to civil persuits and in 1878, came to Kansas and to the city of Larned where he engaged in business for a number of years, coming from there to Kingman about 22 years ago and has made his home here the greater part of the time since then. His health commenced to fail rapidly some two or three years ago and for the past year he has been confined to his room practically all the time and the past several months has been an inmate of Kingman hospital.
Mr. Eggleston bore the distinction of having been one of the special guards at the execution of the assassins of President Lincoln, at Washington in '65. He was selected as one of the detail from his Michigan regiment and witnessed that tragic event in this Nation's history. His experiences as a soldier in those stirring times would furnish material for an interesting bit of history, which he had long planned to have published but failing health prevented its consummation.
In his days and long experience Mr. Eggleston had been a prominent figure wherever he made; his home and his passing will be regretted by many. He leaves one son Frank D. of this city.
Obituary from "The Kingman Journal" Kingman, Kansas, May 20, 1921
M.J. EGGLESTON PASSED AWAY AT EIGHTY FIVE
Another of the old timers ceased to be when Madison J. Eggleston passed away yesterday at 1 o'clock at the Kingman hospital. Mr. Eggleston was aged 85 years, and would have passed still another milestone had he lived until the 2nd [5th] day of next July. For 20 years "Dad" Eggleston has been a familiar figure about the streets of Kingman, always cheerful even when sick, hopeful to the last, and above all singularly independent, physically vigorous and abundantly self reliant for a man of his advanced years.
Failed Rapidly of Late
For the past few months, he had been confined to the hospital, unable to get out, though being up and about much of the time. However, he required much attention, and it was evident that he could not last long. On Wednesday afternoon, he was visited by Frank Eggleston, and again in the evening. About 10 o'clock Frank returned to the hospital as the old gentleman was not feeling quite so well. He remained with him until 12 o'clock, at which time the elder man seemed to be resting easily, and Frank went home and retired, only to be called out an hour later by the message that his father had passed away.
His trouble was diagnosed as fundamentally Bright's disease somewhat complicated, together with heart trouble and the many infirmities incident to old age.
Funeral this Afternoon at 4:00
The funeral will be held this afternoon at 4:00 o'clock from the home of Frank Eggleston on North Spruce street. The sermon will be delivered by Rev. W.R. Johnson, and interment will take place at Walnut Hill.
Born in Michigan
The deceased was born in Michigan when that state was yet a territory. He first came to Kansas in 1878 and settled at Larned, where he worked at his trade of carpenter. About 20 years ago he came to Kingman, making his home a part of the time with Frank, and a part of the time having rooms of his own, as the fancy struck him. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served his country honorably for about 2 years, largely in the Potomac campaigns. He was a member of the 7th Michigan Infantry. Mr Eggleston was a member of the Masonic order, which body will conduct the services at the grave, and the old soldiers will act as pall bearers.
Active at an Advanced Age
One of the most striking characteristics of the deceased to those who knew him as they saw him in later years was his great activity and marked self sufficiency for a man past the eighty mark. Only four years ago he made a trip to Arkansas alone, but unfortunately took sick, and had to have some help to get back. A number of times he made the trip back to his old home in Michigan.
Mr. Eggleston was fond of out door life. And one of the first sights of early spring was "Dad" Eggleston and his fishing rod, headed for the best fishing nooks in the river. And few men, young or old, knew better the hidden wiles that lured the finny victim from his resting place.
Of his family only one son, Frank Eggleston of this city, survives him. He has one sister, Mrs. J.M. Fuller of Wichita, and three brother, Liman [Lyman] Eggleston and William Eggleston, both of Michigan, and Byron Eggleston of Arkansas.
In his passing, another of the old veterans has gone to answer to the last roll call, and a familiar landmark that radiated good cheer and fellowship has gone out of the lives of his fellow journeymen. And the busy community, for a brief hour this afternoon, pauses with bowed head, in honor of him who has gone and in remembrance of the good deeds he scattered over a long span of almost 86 years.
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