The funeral of the late E. M. Brink was held at the Methodist church, Tipton, Iowa, January 12, 1907 at 10 o'clock, attended by a large gathering of friends and citizens. The Rev. R. D. Parsons preached the sermon. His remains were taken to the Valley cemetery near Clarence and laid to rest in the family burial place.

Thus the good man has passed out of sight and entered the portals of the Home Eternal and between our eyes and him the cloud of mystery has fallen heavily. In these rushing, trying times we take too little notice of the death of the good and useful and too quickly forget their noble service and the sweetness and beauty of their lives. This unselfish man, this true friend, this devoted soul, made the Church of God richer and the world better because he once lived here and heaven is more attractive because he now shares it. As a business man he was the soul of honor. As a church member, intelligent and thoughtful. As a member of the board of trustees and its treasurer he was painstaking and thorough. As a friend he was faithful and true. As a husband, loving—, as a father, devoted . . .

He was born in Leraysville, Bradford County, Pa. June 1, 1840. In the year 1854, then a boy 13 years old, he came with his parents (Ephraim and Sarah J. Brink) to Iowa and settled on a farm five miles northeast of Clarence. Those were pioneer days and while fighting prairie fires which threatened the home he met with an accident which crippled him. For 52 years he has lived in Cedar county and was known and respected throughout its borders.

He was married to Sarah E. Brink, August 23, 1868. He leaves five children, three daughters and two sons, to mourn a father's death. Mrs. Nellie Walters of Galva, Iowa, Mrs. Coral Crandy of St. Joseph, Mo., and Marian of this city; Joseph B. of Anamosa and Ulysses of this city. All of whom except Mrs. Crandy, who arrived a date late, were present at the funeral.

He attended school at Cornell college, Iowa, and taught school a number of terms following. He was for a time weighmaster of this city. In 1868 he was elected county auditor and served two terms. He was mayor of Tipton several times, and served as justice of the peace and on the school board. He was admitted to the bar in 1868 having studied law with Joseph Bull of this city. . . . M. J. Locke

From "A Brink Book" by Laurel Shanafelt Powell.

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17 January 1907 - West Branch Times

Prominent and Well Known Resident of County Passes Away After Brief Illness

E. M. Brink died last week at his home in this city from an attack of acute indigestion. The news came as a shock to most people as there were few who knew that he was ill. He was attacked the day preceding his death but had improved somewhat and his recovery was looked for. Ezekiel M. Brink was born in Bradford county, Pa., June 1, 1841, and came to Cedar county in 1856 when a boy of fifteen years. He had lived in the county a little more than fifty years and was known throughout its borders. His early life was spent in farming, but later he studied law and was admitted to the bar. -- Advertiser

From Contributor Jacie