WALLER, John Robert Haight

WALLER, John R. Haight. (Rockdale, IA--March 10, 1845--Dubuque, IA, August 1891). The son of Robert and Marie Waller, Robert's father was a miner and smelter. In 1862 or 1863, he graduated from Epworth Seminary. During the CIVIL WAR, he enlisted in Company A, Forty-fourth Iowa volunteer infantry.

For the first three years after the war he was engaged in the smelting business with his brother-in-law, William COATES, deceased, and William G. WATTERS. On Jan. 1, 1871, he formed a co-partnership with Ed. W. Duncan in the real estate, loan and insurance business, which partnership continued unbroken until his death. They also owned and operated the DUBUQUE OPERA HOUSE.

On January 24, 1877, Waller was united in marriage with Mary E. Cooper, eldest daughter of A.A. Augustin A. COOPER She survived him with three children, May, Robert A. and A.A. He also left three sisters, Mrs. Wm. Coates and Mrs. Jas. Woodward, of Dubuque, and Mrs Mary J. Spensley, of Mineral Point, Wis. He was a member of Hyde Clark Park, G. A. R., and Apollo Lodge, No. 41, Knights of Pythias.

Waller has been afflicted with his disease for the last six years. Five years ago he went to England for the benefit of his health and gained 58 pounds on the trip. Last winter he began to grow worse and about three months ago took a trip to Salt Lake and Denver. Failing to improve he came home. His elegant home on the corner of Sixth and Bluff streets was closed and he went to the suburban home of his brother-in-law, James Woodward, where he improved quite a little. Remembering how he was benefited on his former trip to England, it was resolved to take another and on July 18 he left Dubuque, accompanied by his sister and brother-in-law. He was buoyant and stood the ocean voyage remarkably well. On arrival in England, he consulted his old physician who advised him to return at once to a better climate. Turning to his sister, Alice, Mrs. Woodward, he remarked, "That means I must go home to die." Last Friday morning, Aug. 14, he reached Dubuque, just eight days and five hours from Liverpool, and was taken directly to Mr. Woodward's country home. His family was summoned from Waukesha. Here he continued to sink until death relieved his suffering. He was perfectly conscious to the time of this death and realized his end was at hand. Mr. Waller was liberal republican in politics, but never held or aspired to public office. He was a thorough and honest business man and at his death was a director in the Dubuque County bank. He was also a director in the defunct Commercial National bank, in which he lost thousands of dollars. Being a most honorable man, the worry over the failure of that institution, doubtless hastened his death and added another crime to the list to which certain parties responsible for that failure must answer before the bar of eternal justice. There is no man who can utter a breath against the honor of John R. Waller. Honest, unassuming, public-spirited, Dubuque has lost one of her truest friends and the entire city pauses to mourn.