OBITUARY READS FROM 1893 - 'But In Heaven They Will Dwell' Through All Eternity'

(11/17/2023)
Transcribed by Norma Knotts Shaffer from microfilm of the Calhoun Chronicle for the year 1893.  (Date listed under the names of the deceased is the issue date for the Chronicle.)

ANDERSON, SAVANAH R. - See McWilliams, Savanah R.

BENNETT, WM. M.
11/14/1893
Wm. M. Bennett died at his home in Tanners, Gilmer county, last Friday morning of heart failure.  He was buried at the Bethlehem cemetery Saturday by the Masonic Fraternity.

BURROWS, MARY
5/30/1893
Mary Burrows, daughter of Wm. Burrows, died on Sunday, the 21st  inst., of typhoid fever, after a short illness.  She had been living in Pennsylvania for some time when some of her father's family were taken down with fever.  She came home to see them and took the fever and died.

CAMPFIELD, MRS.
12/12/1893
Mrs. Campfield, an elderly widow who, for several years, has been making her home at A.M. Peninger's, of Hog Knob, died, one day last week, and was interred in the Bethlehem cemetery.

COLLINS, ROSA
12/19/1893
Again our community is called upon to mourn, on account of another one of our people being called from time to eternity.  December 5th, '93 at 8 o'clock in the morning, Rosa Collins was summoned and taken away by the death messenger, after a lingering illness of about one year.  Her death was caused by the dreadful disease, consumption.  She went down  into the Jordan, the cold stream of death, with a murmur.  She leaves a husband and seven children to mourn after her.  While it is their loss, it is her eternal gain. - C.J.

DYE, WILLIAM
9/19/1893
William, infant son of Dr. and Mrs. W.T.W. Dye, died Sunday morning at 4o'clock and was interred in the Bethlehem Cemetery at four o'clock same day.  The bereaved parents have the sympathy of the entire community.

ELLIOTT, SARAH A.
7/18/1893
Sarah  A. Elliott nee Johnson, the subject of this sketch, was born in Wood county, Va., now Ritchie, W. Va, on the 11th day of April, 1831, and departed this life July 3d, 1893, aged 62 years, 2 months and 22 days.  On the 17th day of July, 1851, she was married to Jabez Elliot, and moved with him to the Little Kanawha river, and settled in what is now known as the Hardman Bend, moving a few years afterwards to Pine creek, her late home, where the flickering lamp of life was blown out, and a life that was spent in doing good was brought to a close.
It is not the intention of the sketch to speak of the merits or demerits of the deceased, suffice it to say that her faults were few and her virtues many.  In early life she espoused the cause of Christianity and identified herself with the M. E. Church, South, and was a regular attendant on all of its means of grace, when her health would permit, having been an invalid for some years.
She was an effectionate wife, a devoted mother and a good neighbor.  She leaves a companion and several children to mourn their loss, but her eternal gain.
She was interred in the Mt. Zion cemetery by a host of sorrowing friends and relatives and her children weeping.
May they prepare to meet companion and mother in the great beyond, where no parting tear is ever shed. - A Friend

FERRELL, HENRY
8/22/1893
Henry, son of Thomas Ferrell, deceased, died at his mother's residence, near Brooksville, last Sunday week, of typhoid fever.

GAINER, LEVI
6/20/1893
Levi Gainer, of Pine creek, departed this life on the 16th inst., of pneumonia fever and was intered at the Pine creek cemetery on the 18th.  About 400 people attended the funeral, besides nearly 100 Odd Fellows, of which he had been a member.  The beautiful ceremony of the Odd Fellows, was rendered at the grave.  Mr. Gainer was a good, quiet, law abiding citizen and will be greatly missed.  We extend to his family sincere sympathy.

JEFFREYS, ADDIE MAY
11/21/1893
Again our quiet little village, Grantsville, is called on to mourn on account of another one of our people being called from time to eternity.
November 13th, 1893, at 8 o'clock in the evening, our sister, Addie May Jeffreys, was summoned and taken away by the death messenger.  This sister, after a brief illness, caused by the dreadful disease diphtheria, departed this life leaving the brightest evidence behind of her acceptance with her Creator.  She went down into the Jordan, the cold stream of death, without a murmur, having about her that noble christian spirit that is characteristic of all true christians.
She leaves a kind husband, three little children and a host of relatives and friends to mourn after her; and in short, all the community, because she was a sister that was a model one and was liked by all who knew her.
She professed a hope in Christ about the year 1883 while in her native State, Pennsylvania; and then attached herself to the M.E. Church, South.  After she came to this place she obtained a certificate of her church identity and became a member of the same church here, and remained until the Master transplanted her from the church militent to the church triumphant.
The above is written by one who has heard her bear testimony of her acceptance with the God that gave her existence. - A Friend

JOHNSON, SARAH A. - See Elliott, Sarah A.

KELLY, EDNA
10/3/1893
We are sorry to hear of the death of little Edna, daughter of Losson Kelly of White Pine.  She had diphtheria and only lived about a week.  Mr. Kelly had two other children down with the same disease but they are better.

KNOTTS, SUSAN
12/26/1893
On Monday night, December 11th, 1893, the death messenger visited the vicinity of Walnut and removed from the home and embrace of Wm. R. and Mollie Knotts their little daughter Susan.  She was called away very suddenly with croup.
Little Susan was 3 years, 6 moths and 19 days old; she was large and well grown and in many respects more than an ordinary child.  I have often thought when looking at her beautiful form, that she was to sweet and lovely to have to stand the sorrows of this sinful world.  We would love to have kept little Susan longer, but God saw fit to take her home.
Her life here was short, but she made many lasting impressions.  She will be greatly missed in the home.  The bereft parents and friends have our deepest sympathy.
Her funeral was preached in the home on the 13th and her little body was interred in the new cemetery near the new church, but her spirit dwells where Jesus is, forever free from sorrow, where joys and pleasures are forevermore. - P.D.N.

MARTIN, LOUISA
7/25/1893
Louisa Martin, grand daughter of Levi Morris, departed this life on Sunday July 16, 1893, after a long painful illness.  While it had been expected that death would come to her relief, yet her friends clung to her to the last and resisted the attacks of the grim monster to the end.  This ends the life of one of the purest and fairest flowers.  Only the recollection of an exemplary and christian life is left to commemorate her stay on this earth.  She was buried in the Mount Zion cemetery on the 17th last.

McWILLIAMS, SAVANAH R.
8/8/1893
Death has again visited our home and claimed as its victim Savanah R. eldest daughter of Eli and Rebecca Anderson, who was born March 12th, 1870, and departed this life July 17th, 1893, aged 24 years, 4 months and 4 days.
She was united in marriage to S. W. McWilliams September 1st, 1888 and lived a married life about four years, and God laid His afflicting hand on her and bade her labors cease and come home to dwell whence no traveler ever returns.  She had been suffering for a considerable while with that dread disease consumption, and on the above date the white winged Angel whispered "thy work is done." and she fell asleep in the arms of Jesus and her spirit ascended to the Lord who gave it.
She leaves her husband, one child and father and brother and a host of friends to mourn their loss, but their loss is her eternal gain.
She was interred in the Bethel cemetery by a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends. - J.H.G.

MOORE, JABEZ
7/25/1893
Jabez Moore, an aged citizen of this county, departed this life on the 17th inst.  He had been an invalid for many years.

NICHOLSON, MARY J....
10/10/1893
In the Bethlehem cemetery, near Grantsville, lies all that is mortal of Mr. Mary J. Nicholson, wife of Rev. E.A. Nicholson, of this town.
During the last year Bro. Nicholson had served as pastor of the M.E. Church, South, here most acceptably; so well had he served his people that at the earnest request of his church and citizens, he was returned for an other year.  He was ably assisted in his work by his companion.  To her gentle and loving disposition as well as her untiring devotion of her husband, was much of his success possible.  Always kind.  No one left her without feeling that she was a noble hearted woman.  Always considerate.  Never uttering a word to wound the feelings of others.  But with a heart filled with love she commanded the respect of the stoutest sinner.  Her home was a model of quiet, peace and love.  The family clung to her as the vine does the oak; but God said: "it is enough, come up higher."  To His call we sadly yield.  Humanity cling strongly to such ties.  Yet, such comfort.  She cannot come to us, but we can go to her.  Blessed assurance that beyond the shores we shall again meet sister Nicholson where there will be no more parting.
A short time before she went to sleep in death, she asked a friend to let her lay her head on her lap.  She did so and summoning the last of failing vitality she pointed toward heaven and smiling said: "All is well!  All is well!!  Death came to her as a gentle sleep.
She leaves a daughter of tender years; God pity her, two sons and a husband.  We can only sympathize with them.  We cannot feel their loss, but leave them all in the hands of a Merciful and Allwise God, who careth for us and doeth all things well.  She will be missed in the church, in the prayer meeting, Sunday school, in the town, but most of all at home.  We sadly say: Farewell.

ROLLEN, CARRY
10/24/1893
We are sorry to hear of the death of Carry, little son of John C. Rollen who died on the 18 inst. and was buried on the 19 at the Gainer cemetery near the mouth of Tanners Fork.  Rev. A. Westfall preached the funeral sermon.

RUCKER CHILD
10/31/1893
We regret to hear of the death, by diphtheria, of the little son of Leslie Rucker.

RUCKER, NETTIE
11/14/1893
Gone to Rest - Can be beautifully said of little Preston Rucker and his lisping sister, Nettie.  The little boy was over three years old, and Nettie eighteen months.  They died with diphtheria after suffering only a few days.  They were the only children of L. Rucker and wife, whose hearts are saddened and home made desolate.  But Oh! Let hope mitigate your heaviness.  Your darling babes have gone to live with God forever.  They will never come to papa and mama again, but will softly whisper in heaven, "Come Oh come! To us."  We cannot, dare not say, weep not, but let us remember that they are dead to sin and care.  Yet they are only sleeping.  The daisies will bloom and die on their little mounds, but they will live on forever.
Those darling ones from us have gone,
Their spirits are at rest;
Their baby hearts no longer throb,
Within their little Breast.
We are not bid them a long farewell
We have missed them from our knee;
But in heaven they will dwell,
Through all eternity. - A Friend

RUCKER, PRESTON
11/14/1893
Gone to Rest - Can be beautifully said of little Preston Rucker and his lisping sister, Nettie.  The little boy was over three years old, and Nettie eighteen months.  They died with diphtheria after suffering only a few days.  They were the only children of L. Rucker and wife, whose hearts are saddened and home made desolate.  But Oh! Let hope mitigate your heaviness.  Your darling babes have gone to live with God forever.  They will never come to papa and mama again, but will softly whisper in heaven, "Come Oh come! To us."  We cannot, dare not say, weep not, but let us remember that they are dead to sin and care.  Yet they are only sleeping.  The daisies will bloom and die on their little mounds, but they will live on forever.
Those darling ones from us have gone,
Their spirits are at rest;
Their baby hearts no longer throb,
Within their little Breast.
We are not bid them a long farewell
We have missed them from our knee;
But in heaven they will dwell,
Through all eternity. - A Friend

SMITH, ROSA
11/14/1893
Miss Rosa, aged 14 years, daughter of Rev. B.N. Smith, died of typhoid fever last Saturday, and was enterred in the Bethlehem cemetery Sunday.  She leaves a father, mother and several sisters and brothers to mourn their loss.  The grief stricken family have the sympathy of all.

STALNAKER  INFANT
11/7/1893
On Monday, October 30th, the infant babe of L.D. and Prudence C. Stalnaker departed this life.  God doth mark his own and in His infinite wisdom has seen fit to remove from tender hearts, this little one, who ended its pilgrimage ere day begun.
Father, mother, though our hearts are made sad and desolate by the giving up of this little one, we should ever be willing to submit to the will of Him who doeth all things well and who hath said: "Suffer little children to come unto Me for of such is the kingdom of heaven."  It is encouraging to know we have such tender ties in heaven, and we should try to elevate our thoughts and make our lives such that we may feel assured we can some day clasp again to our hearts those whom have preceded us.  Blessed assurance!  That beyond the shores we shall again meet our dear ones where there will be no more parting.
There is no death! The stars go down,
To rise upon some fairer shore;
And bright in heaven's jeweled crown,
They shine forever more.
There is no death! The leaves may fall,
And flowers may fade and pass away.
They only wait through wintry hours,
The coming of May Day.
There is no death! An angel form,
Walks o'er the earth with silent tread;
And bears our best loved ones away,
And then we call them dead.
He leaves our hearts all desolate,
He plucks our fairest, sweetest flowers;
Transplanted into bliss, they now,
Adorn immortal bowers.
The child like voice, whose jovious tones,
Make glad these scenes of sin and strife;
Sing now an everlasting song,
Around the tree of life. - Alice Chenoweth

STEVENS, W.S.
5/23/1893
W.S. Stevens died at his residence on Pine Creek on the 18th inst., of  Brights Disease,  and was buried  by the G.A.R. at Mount Zion on the 19th.  One of the best evidences of the high esteem in which the deceased was held was the large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends that followed his remains to its last resting place.  The ceremonies at the grave were appropriate and impressive.  It was the representation of a broken link in a family circle, a wife, berift of a loving husband, children deprived of counsels of a thoughtful and indulgant parent.  The community, in which he lived, has lost one of its best citizens of the church a pillar of strength and the members of Thorburn Post, a comrad.  The Chronicle extends to the stricken family warmest sympathy, and hopes that the noble life and exemplary habits which endeared him to all with whom he came in contact, may be followed by those he left behind.

TAYLOR, HENRY
5/30/1893
We regret to write the mournful tidings that one of our bright and energetic young men is no more.
Henry, son of Robert and Mary Taylor was born on the 27th of March 1876, aged, 17 years, 1 month and 20 days, died May 15th, 1893.
When the melancholy day came he wrapped the drapery of his couch about him and laid down to pleasant dreams.  That dreadful disease consumption seized upon him a few months ago and fed upon his vitals till worn out and weary lay down forever.
Henry has many friends who mourn his loss and weep in the bitterness of and despair.  Our lost friend was kind and generous in his manner, large of heart and magnanimous of soul.  He had so enveloped himself in the affections of his friends that they find it very hard to bid him the last farewell.  No more shall the lively company of the young men, of Yellow creek, be blessed with the bright presence of our departed friend and companion.
A short time before he died he told some of his friends that he had only one more stream to cross and it was very small; he left a bright evidence behind that he left the shores of time to dwell with the angle choir around our Father's throne in heaven.
His remains were interred in the family grave yard on Yellow creek, on the 16th day of May.  Rev. W.J. Coberly conducted the funeral services. - C.S.J.

WAYNE, LEE
10/31/1893
Death has claimed an other victim in the person of Lee Roy, son of Joseph Wayne, on Monday evening, the 16th inst., after a short illness of 16 days of the most excruciating pain and suffering, which he bore with meekness and that heroism, which convinced his friends, and those who so kindly and zealously toiled ministering to his needs, that he was triumphant over the fear and pangs of the last enemy death, and exercised a conscience reconciled to the will of Him who hath said: "Well done thou good and faithful, 'come up higher.'"
On the afternoon of the 18th inst., in the cemetery overlooking the quiet glens and peaceful waters of Beech, in the presence of a large congregation of relatives and sympathizing friends, Rev. Wilbur Spencer delivered an able and impressive sermon in eulogy of rememberance of the life and character of the deceased and his son, Camden, who preceded him to realms of rest a year ago, which were concluded by Rev. Custus in a few well chosen words, in an expression of his tribute to the deceased, after which all that remained of Lee Wayne, was consigned to the soil, from whence man came.
The deceased was 22 years old, and leaves a young wife, a father, mother and one brother, together with a large concourse of relatives and friends, who sincerely mourn their loss, but are reconciled to the thought that their loss will be heaven's gain, and vie in one accord to chime. - A Friend.

WAYNE, LEE
10/24/1893
That it is with sadness we chronicle the demise of Lee, a son of Joseph Wayne, on the 16th, whose death is mourned by all.  He leaves a young wife.

WAYNE, LEE
10/24/1893
Lee, son of Joseph Wayne, of Beech, this county, died on the 17th inst. With inflammation of the stomach.  The Chronicle extends sympathy to the bereaved family.

WOODFORD, GEORGE
10/10/1893
Mr. George Woodford, one of the very oldest citizens of Gilmer county, died at his home at the mouth of Leading creek last Monday evening at 9 o'clock.  He was buried yesterday morning, a very large number of people being present at the last sad rites.  Mr. Woodford had reached the ripe old age of 89 years, and was a respected member of the community in which he lived.  Uncle George, as he was called, had many relatives and friends in this county.

YEAGER, ALFRED
12/26/1893
Death has again visited the vicinity of Mt. Olive and taken from our midst, Alfred, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Yeager, aged 15 years, 4 months and 17 days.
Alfred was a bright boy and was well respected, always wore a bright smile on his face and had a cheerful word for everyone.  But alas! The bright smile nor the cheerful word will never greet us more.
While the family feels so deeply the loss of their dear brother and son, his teacher a faithful and obedient scholar, the school a kind and agreeable schoolmate, we must feel too, that our great loss is his gain.  Although we miss him in our school and in his home, we bow to the will of Him who doeth all things well. Let us rather rejoice that another child of God has been called from his labor here on earth, to the enjoyment of the faithful in heaven.
We sincerely sympathize with the relatives and friends of the deceased, and particularly do we sympathize with his parents in their loneliness and grief, and may they find in the Father of all, a sure and comforting portion in their sad and irreparable loss.
A precious one from us has gone,
A voice we loved is stilled;
A place is vacant in our home,
That never can be filled. - M.

YEAGER BOY
12/12/1893
A boy by the name of Yeager, residing on Barnes' run, got badly hurt last Saturday morning by a falling limb.  He found some squirrels in the hollow of a tree, and chopped the tree down, expecting to get them up other trees that were near, and then shoot them.  When the tree fell he ran toward the top of it, and on his way the limb, which had been broken from another tree, fell and struck him.
Later - The boy died.