OBITUARY.

THOMAS A. HOTSON.

In the death of Thomas A. Hotson Mower County loses one of her builders as well as one of her best types of citizen. Kindly and cordial, it was always a pleasure to meet him. Intelligent and well read, his companionship was inspiring. Honest and upright, it is of such as he that the country has great need.

Mr. Hotson was born in Norfolk, England, December 16, 1829. His life was a long one but it was as good as it was long. He was married in 1849 to Ester Guttridge, also a native of Norfolk. In 1854, they left their native land and came to America. They sailed from Liverpool and landed in New Orleans after a passage of six weeks and four days.

They settled first in St. Louis, where Mr. Hotson was employed in a rolling mill. They went to St. Clare County, Illinois where he bought an interest in a brick yard, which he operated one season and then engaged in farming. They remained there until 1862 when they came to Mower county and settled in Lyle township. They lived for the first year on the Epler place. He then bought 160 acres of land in section 10, town of Lyle. Three or four acres were broken and a pre-emption shanty constituted the improvements. This place has been the home of this worthy family for over fifty years, and it was a home where hospitality was enthroned and where peace reigned.

Five children are living, Atkins and Mrs. Emer Kneeskern of Austin; Fred and William of Lyle and Thomas of North Dakota.

Mr. Hotson, who for his advanced years had been a remarkably active man, was seriously ill last winter but recovered and had been pretty well until New Year's day when he was taken with a chill. Soon after he became unconscious and remained so until the time of his death, which occurred at 1:20 on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 5.

Mr. Hotson was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a man of splendid Christian character.

One of the sad accompaniments of the death is the fact that Mrs. Hotson is very low with the grippe and it thought that she will not rally.