Manchester Darwin01

Waupaca Republican

August 16, 1895

Dr. D.L. MANCHESTER

One of our Old Respected Citizens Passes Away

On Sunday morning our citizens were pained to learn that Dr. Darwin L. Manchester was dead and his congenial spirit would never more be with us on earth. His friends were not surprised; they had known of his long suffering with disease and were fearful that a few more days would bring the summons. It was a sad thought to his friends (and everybody who knew Dr. Manchester was his friend) but still they could only offer words of sympathy and hope. They could not stay the hand of the silent reaper.

Darwin L. Manchester was born at Cornish, N.H., February 25, 1833, and settled in Waupaca in 1856, when this little city was merging into civilization from out the Indian Lands. In 1858 he married Sarah J. Vaughan. Four children were the result of this union; two died in infancy, two, with the mother, survive. Mary, wife of Prof. F.A. Lowell and John d., graduate of our high school, and student in the State University. From the time of his settling in Waupaca until the war of the rebellion he was a carpenter and builder in the village, but in July 1862 he enlisted in Co. G. 21^st Wis. Vol. Inf. as a private and was soon promoted to orderly sergeant. He was wounded at the battle of Perryville, being shot through the right shoulder and left on the field for dead. He managed to crawl to the road where he was taken in an ambulance train to the hospital where he lay for three months. After he recovered his arm was partially useless. The government granted him an honorable discharge when he came home and took up the study of medicine; entering the Dartmouth Medical college, Hanover, N.H., and graduated in 1866. He also attended medical lectures at the University of Vermont. He took a course in the Chicago medical college and received a diploma in 1868. His practice was large in this city and surrounding country, hardly a home for twenty miles around but knew, loved and respected the genial doctor for years. He was elected Mayor of the city in 1879 and also elected to fill vacancy at another time. He also held other offices of trust and was appointed physician and surgeon for the Wisconsin Veterans’ Home at its start in 1887, which position he resigned last spring on account of failing health. The doctor was widely known in the medical fraternity being a member of the state medical society and was held in high esteem by his brother physicians I the society. He was an enthusiastic member of Garfield Post G.A.R., and was loved by his comrades everywhere. He was also a member of the Masonic order and was a charter member of the K. of P. lodge.

The funeral was held under the auspices of the Garfield Post of this city and F.A. Marden Post of the Veterans’ Home Monday afternoon. The Woman’s Relief Corps attended in a body and took part in the ceremony at the grave. Rev. E. Perry of Wausau late the official chaplain of the home delivered a touching tribute to the deceased. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. Drs. Pelton, McNaughton, Barothy, and Reed, of this city, Jones and Corbett of Weyauwega, and Irvine of Royalton acted as honorary pall bearers each bearing a beautiful floral piece. Comrades Ghoca, Peterson, Dr. Scott, Ham. Stratton and Demarest were the active pall bearers the guard of honor of the G.A.R. Lieut. D.A. Ramsdell being officer of the day. A large number of neighbors and friends of the deceased paid their respects by attending the funeral and following the remains to Lake View Cemetery where interment was made according to G.A.R. rites.

An affectionate husband and father, a kind neighbor and friend, a grand comrade of the G.A.R., a good physician has gone. He will be missed but he will live long in the memory of his relatives and friends for his noble traits of character, for his kindness of heart and genial companionship.

At Rest

As soon as the message reached the Home announcing the death of our dear old physician, Dr. D.L. Manchester, who peacefully passed away at 1 a.m. Sunday, August 11, Col. Caldwell, commandant of the Home immediately ordered the flags lowered at half mast, and the doctor’s office at the hospital draped in the deepest mourning. Officials and members were instantly thrilled with profound and universal sympathy. His loss is a great misfortune to the Home. Truly, his place can not be filled. We shall miss his sunny greetings. All tearfully recalled the doctor’s many deeds of kindness and acts of humanity. Each felt that he had lost a true hearted friend and physician. Great and noble hearted in life, he was surpassingly great in death. Through days of deadly languor, through weeks of agony that was not less agony because silently borne, with clear sight and calm courage he looked into his grave. What brilliant broken plans; what baffled high ambitions; what sundering of strong, warm manhood’s friendships; what bitter rending of sweet household ties – but all the love and sympathy could not share with him his sufferings. With unfailing tenderness he took leave of life. As the end drew near his thoughts were constantly with his patients and friends at the Home whom he fondly loved, and his last request, softly whispered to the writer, was to be sure and give his love to all inmates at the Home. With warm, fevered face he looked wistfully upward and said “Farewell.” Let us think his dying eyes read a mystic meaning, which only the rapt and parting soul may know. Let us believe that in the silence of the receding world he heard the great waves breaking on a farther shore, and felt already upon his wasted brow the breath of the eternal morning.

The officials of the Home and every soldier ….