Father of Lucius Fisk Preston. Husband of Emily F Durkee.

See also:
Death Notice -- Thur., 15 Apr 1915, Waseca Herald, p. 1

Funeral of S. H. Preston
The funeral of Stephen H. Preston was held Sunday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock in the First Congregational church of this city, Rev. W. E. Griffith officiating. Rev. I. L. Seager of the Methodist church offered the opening prayer. A double quartette, Messrs. F. W. Senn, E. Watson, M. P. Fuller, R. D. Garland, Paul Stucky, A. Stucky, Luther Bullard and H. Isker, sang "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" and "Abide With Me." Mrs. V. G. Pickett, with Mrs. Stucky as accompanist, sand "He Knows the Way."
Rev. Griffith read the Twenty-third Psalm and other selections from the Scriptures and spoke with feeling eulogy on the life of Mr. Preston from I Sam. 18:20: "And thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty."
The beautiful flowers sent to the home of Mr. Preston were tastefully arranged in the church and at the close of the ceremony were taken to the cemetery where the grave was lined with them and the earth around the grave hidden by them.
Messrs. L. A. Bullard, W. A. Zetterberg, F. A. Wood, W. A. Clement, A. Stucky and C. H. Bailer were the active pall bearers, while the G. A. R. Comrades of the deceased were the honorary bearers. The church was crowded with Mr. Preston's friends, among whom were Will Vinton and daughter, Julia, Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith, A. H. Dibble and wife, of Owatonna, Jacob and Henry Leuthold of Kasson, and Mrs. George Ray of Elysian.
The remains of the deceased were followed to their final resting place by his brethren of Tuscan lodge A. F. & A. M., by his comrades of McKune Post, and by many other friends. At the grave the Masons conducted the impressive burial service of that order, the veterans of the Post following with a like service.
Mr. Preston, was born in Pittsfield, Vermont, his father being a prominent architect and merchant in that place. He came to Waseca county in 1867 and has lived the greater portion of the time since in Waseca. Probably every acquaintance in our city can recall some kind drollery that Mr. Preston has said to him or her. Although for many years in not very good health and suffering from pain, he looked on the bright and humorous side of everything. He was a faithful, devoted member of the Congregational church and carried its teachings through every walk of life. He was a friend and helper of the poor and friendless. On countless occasions his rich, resonant voice has charmed his listeners at social gatherings or given comfort to sore hears pressed down with grief at the loss of a loved one. Kind thoughts will often turn toward him through lingering memories.
"He did his best, he played the man,
His way was straight; his soul was clean,
His failings not unkind, nor mean;
He loved his fellow men and tried
To help them."
Waseca Herald 4-22-1915
Contributed by S. R. Allen

Father of Lucius Fisk Preston. Husband of Emily F Durkee.

See also:
Death Notice -- Thur., 15 Apr 1915, Waseca Herald, p. 1

Funeral of S. H. Preston
The funeral of Stephen H. Preston was held Sunday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock in the First Congregational church of this city, Rev. W. E. Griffith officiating. Rev. I. L. Seager of the Methodist church offered the opening prayer. A double quartette, Messrs. F. W. Senn, E. Watson, M. P. Fuller, R. D. Garland, Paul Stucky, A. Stucky, Luther Bullard and H. Isker, sang "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" and "Abide With Me." Mrs. V. G. Pickett, with Mrs. Stucky as accompanist, sand "He Knows the Way."
Rev. Griffith read the Twenty-third Psalm and other selections from the Scriptures and spoke with feeling eulogy on the life of Mr. Preston from I Sam. 18:20: "And thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty."
The beautiful flowers sent to the home of Mr. Preston were tastefully arranged in the church and at the close of the ceremony were taken to the cemetery where the grave was lined with them and the earth around the grave hidden by them.
Messrs. L. A. Bullard, W. A. Zetterberg, F. A. Wood, W. A. Clement, A. Stucky and C. H. Bailer were the active pall bearers, while the G. A. R. Comrades of the deceased were the honorary bearers. The church was crowded with Mr. Preston's friends, among whom were Will Vinton and daughter, Julia, Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith, A. H. Dibble and wife, of Owatonna, Jacob and Henry Leuthold of Kasson, and Mrs. George Ray of Elysian.
The remains of the deceased were followed to their final resting place by his brethren of Tuscan lodge A. F. & A. M., by his comrades of McKune Post, and by many other friends. At the grave the Masons conducted the impressive burial service of that order, the veterans of the Post following with a like service.
Mr. Preston, was born in Pittsfield, Vermont, his father being a prominent architect and merchant in that place. He came to Waseca county in 1867 and has lived the greater portion of the time since in Waseca. Probably every acquaintance in our city can recall some kind drollery that Mr. Preston has said to him or her. Although for many years in not very good health and suffering from pain, he looked on the bright and humorous side of everything. He was a faithful, devoted member of the Congregational church and carried its teachings through every walk of life. He was a friend and helper of the poor and friendless. On countless occasions his rich, resonant voice has charmed his listeners at social gatherings or given comfort to sore hears pressed down with grief at the loss of a loved one. Kind thoughts will often turn toward him through lingering memories.
"He did his best, he played the man,
His way was straight; his soul was clean,
His failings not unkind, nor mean;
He loved his fellow men and tried
To help them."
Waseca Herald 4-22-1915
Contributed by S. R. Allen