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David Washington “General” See

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David Washington “General” See

Birth	:	28 Aug 1854 Placerville, El Dorado County, California, USA
Death	:	26 Jul 1893 Mount Auburn, Benton County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Mount Auburn Cemetery, Mount Auburn, Benton County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.2536800, -92.0903000
Description	:	David Washington See was the eldest child of David and Mary See. He was born a gold mining camp in Eldorado, California on 28 Aug 1854-- two years after his parents and aunt and uncle traveled across the country in a covered wagon during the California Gold Rush. The families remained in California for several years, returning to Indiana via ship, crossing overland at the Isthmus of Panama, then up the east coast on another ship and overland back to Indiana. Although his parents named him David Washington See, he was known as “General” from the time he was two years... Read More	David Washington See was the eldest child of David and Mary See. He was born a gold mining camp in Eldorado, California on 28 Aug 1854-- two years after his parents and aunt and uncle traveled across the country in a covered wagon during the California Gold Rush. The families remained in California for several years, returning to Indiana via ship, crossing overland at the Isthmus of Panama, then up the east coast on another ship and overland back to Indiana. Although his parents named him David Washington See, he was known as “General” from the time he was two years old, the nickname given to him by the sailors on the ship back to east. As his mother told the story: "She said she had David a son. He was a little fellow & Grandma said she had a bad time trying to keep track of Him. She said The Officers (on the ship) all fell in love with Him & they would come & get Him, & when they brot Him back They would have an officers hat on Him & they would salute Him & call Him General See. He got awful sick on the boat & Grandma thought she wouldent save Him. One day an old negro woman a cook came & wanted Grandma [to] let her try to do some thing for Him so she did & what ever she did helped Him. From then on till he died He was known by General See." General grew up on his father's farm in Cass Co, Indiana, the eldest of 15 children, not counting his adopted sister, a year older. When he was 25, he married 24 year old Meg McCloskey and the couple moved to Iowa soon after their wedding. The couple settled on a farm in Bruce Township, Benton County.. Soon after, his parents and siblings also moved to Benton County. General and Meg had five children, all born on the farm in Benton county: three boys and two girls--Guy, Ray, Amy, Orrie or “Pete”, and Olga. David "General" See died in 1893 at age 39 when he fell off a hay wagon, leaving behind his young widow and 5 small children, the oldest 12, the youngest only 10 days old. He is buried in Mt. Auburn Cemetery. His niece Helen Rogers Raitt later wrote "General See died near Mt. Auburn. They had a farm a short distance from Mt. Auburn.... The old house is gone. Aunt Maggie his wife was left with all the children real small. He fell from a wad of hay.” His younger brother Charles See told a story that General had been to a county fair and had a gypsy read his fortune. She told him he was going to die soon. And his sister, Lina Unger awoke early in the morning and said, "We have to get out to the farm, something has happened to General". He had, of course, fallen off the hay wagon and didn't live long after the fall. Marie Jean Unger claimed that "many" of the See women were psychic." Obituary--"Vinton Eagle" Aug. 8, 1893 8, 189in "Vinton Eagle" obituary Aug. 8, 1893ton Eagle" obituary Aug. 8, 1893 “David Washington See (familiarly known as Gen See of Bruce township) died Wednesday morning. July 26, 1893. His death was the immediate result of an accident received Friday morning, July 21st. He went out to unload hay, in stepping back to avoid the fork the hay slipped and he was thrown backwards striking on his neck, causing paralysis of almost the whole body. The best of medical attendance was called, but to no avail, he lived but five days. He was conscious during the entire time. “The deceased was born in Placer county, California, Aug 28, 1854. When was two years of age his parents moved back to near Logansport, Indiana. Here he grew to manhood. He was married to Miss Maggie McClosky near Logansport in December (sic-October), 1879, and immediately removed to Bruce township, where he resided until his death. He leaves a wife and five children (one a babe 10 days old) to mourn his untimely death. “The funeral occurred the day of his death owning to the rapid decomposition of the body. The services were conducted by Rev. Swearegen. The body was interred in Mt. Auburn cemetery. The deceased was a man well respected in his community, industrious and upright. Of very domestic habits he was kindness and love itself to his family. They have the deep sympathy of the community in their great bereavement. “His sister and brother from O'Brien county, Mrs. Hamilton and James See, and her brother Frank McClosky, of Indiana were present. “Mrs. See wished to return her deep gratitude to her neighbors for their untiring attention and kindness." A few months later, another newspaper article reported an upcoming auction of the farm "of David See, near Gillispie". Meg had to sell everything as she was in financial straits after his death." (La Porte City Progress Review: Feb 10 1894.) Meg never remarried but remained close to her See in-laws. She died the 26th of February 1933 and is buried next to her husband in the Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Benton Co, IA.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is David Washington “General” See's memorial?
David Washington “General” See's memorial is located at: Mount Auburn Cemetery, Mount Auburn, Benton County, USA.
When did David Washington “General” See death?
David Washington “General” See death on 26 Jul 1893 in Mount Auburn, Benton County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the David Washington “General” See's memorial?
Latitude: 42.2536800
Longitude: -92.0903000

Family Members:

Parent

David See

(1828 - 1897)

Mary Lucy Lenon See

(1836 - 1907)

Spouse

Margaret Bell “Maggie” McCloskey See

(1855 - 1933)

Siblings

(unknow - unknow)

Sylvenia Estaline See Unger

(1864 - 1935)

(1869 - 1963)

(1870 - 1934)

(1871 - 1947)

(1877 - 1941)

Children

Guy Harry See

(1882 - 1963)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Mount Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2536800, -92.0903000

2. Greenwalt Cemetery
Mount Auburn, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2256012, -92.1038971

3. Engledow Cemetery
Mount Auburn, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2686996, -92.1330032

4. Pratt Creek Cemetery
Vinton, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2104000, -92.1307400

5. Westview Cemetery
La Porte City, Black Hawk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3107986, -92.1699982

6. Bear Creek Cemetery
Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2705994, -91.9792023

7. Carlisle Grove Cemetery
Garrison, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1730995, -92.1386032

8. Maplewood Cemetery
Vinton, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1699982, -92.0490036

9. Beachler Cemetery
Brandon, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3045000, -91.9908000

10. Fairview Cemetery
Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2141991, -92.2007980

11. Saint Marys Cemetery
Vinton, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1683006, -92.0475006

12. Pettit Hill Cemetery
Vinton, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1916900, -91.9974000

13. Jefferson Township Cemetery
Brandon, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3139000, -91.9931030

14. Brandon Cemetery
Brandon, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3156300, -91.9945200

15. Sawyer Cemetery
La Porte City, Black Hawk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3381004, -92.1519012

16. Spring Creek Chapel Cemetery
La Porte City, Black Hawk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3616982, -92.0783005

17. Greenwood Cemetery
Brandon, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3123970, -91.9651640

18. Evergreen Cemetery
Vinton, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1610985, -92.0089035

19. Garrison Cemetery
Garrison, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1369019, -92.1483002

20. Shady Grove Cemetery
Jesup, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3805453, -92.0557342

21. Zion Lutheran Jubilee Cemetery
Jubilee, Black Hawk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3843050, -92.0837440

22. Urmy Cemetery
Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1719017, -92.2281036

23. Anton Cemetery
La Porte City, Black Hawk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3418999, -92.2399979

24. Rampton Cemetery
Monroe Township, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1866989, -92.2605972