Death of Lorenzo H. Sales

We are again called upon to record the death of an early settler of Decatur County.  Judge Sales died last Wednesday morning at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. L. W. Forgrave, in Leon, with bright's disease of the kidneys.  The deceased was born in Ontario County, New York in 1819 and was 68 years of age.  He lived with his parents in Cincinnati Ohio, a short time, when they removed to Defiance county where they resided until 1846, when the family came to Iowa.  In 1856 Judge Sales located in Leon where he practiced medicine for some time.  He was appointed receiver in the United States land office at Chariton where he remained three years.  In 1860 he built the Sales House of which he was manager for many a year.  He served as county judge for two years with marked ability and in 1862 enlisted in the 17th Iowa Infantry and soon received the appointment of Lieutenant of Company A.  Failing in Health soon compelled his resignation.  He drew a pension for disability incurred in the service.  The deceased leaves a widow and three children all of whom were present at the time of his death.  A man of integrity and ability has fallen and has many old friends among the pioneers of this county will drop a tear to his memory when they hear the sad news of his death.

– Published in The Decatur County Journal, Leon, Iowa, March 16, 1887, bottom of page 1