p. 22 | Obituaries

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 8, 1913

Obituaries

By H. C. Basney; J. O. Peet; R. W. Parmele; John Francis Olmsted; A. O. Tait

Halstead.— Mrs. Lillie Halstead was born in Joliet, Ill., in the year 1876. When she was twelve years old the family moved to California, and in 1892 she was married to Frank Halstead. Nine years ago they both gave their hearts to the Lord and united with the Seventh-day Adventist Church at Eaton, Cal. From that time until her death, which occurred Jan. 18, 1913, she was a consistent Christian. A loving husband and three daughters are left to mourn. H. C. Basney.

Simmons.— Laf Simmons was born in Portage, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1843, and died near Detroit, Mich., April 14, 1913. He was a great sufferer during the last few weeks of his illness, but was ever patient and resigned to the will of God. About thirty years ago he learned the Sabbath truth through private Bible study. Later he became acquainted with Seventh-day Adventists, accepted present truth, and was baptized at Sauk Center, Minn., by Elder E. A. Curtis. The deceased was a veteran of the civil war. J. O. Peet.

Curry.— Mary L. Smith Curry was born in Indiana, Jan. 27, 1844. When she was three years old the family removed to New Orleans, La. In the year 1866 she was united in marriage with James B. Curry. Six children were born to them, five of whom are living. In October, 1890, Sister Curry became one of the charter members of the first Seventh-day Adventist Church organized in New Orleans, of which she remained a faithful and devoted member the remainder of her life. She fell asleep in the blessed hope, March 2, 1913. R. W. Parmele.

Howells.— Elwood Morell Howells, son of Sister Hannah Howells, was born in Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1881, and was drowned at West Liberty, March 25, 1913, when Pennsylvania Train No. 3 plunged through the bridge into Mad River. Elwood was a young man of quiet and orderly conduct. One of his aims was to make a pleasant and happy home for his mother, and in doing this he certainly brought sunshine and comfort to her heart. He frequently did the housework so his mother could rest. His presence in the home and in the circles where he is best known will be greatly missed. He spent three years in the Philippines while in the United States Army, and for the past seven years he has been in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He is survived by his aged mother, three brothers, and a large circle of relatives and friends. John Francis Olmsted.

Payne.— On Nov. 2, 1912, James Monroe Payne died at his home in Mountain View, Cal., at the advanced age of 94 years and 26 days. He was born in Maryland in 1818, and when a small boy moved with his parents to Ohio. He afterward lived for short intervals in Indiana, Kansas, and Illinois, but the greater part of his life was spent on his farm near Adel, Iowa. He was one of the early pioneers in all these States in which he lived, and he endured the hardships incident thereto, developing the strength of character and purpose that are connected with success in that kind of life. His first wife was Miss Elizabeth Eaton. To them were born five sons and three daughters. Two of the sons became very successful and widely known physicians in Iowa, and others of the children developed the strength of character and purpose that made them useful members of society. Father Payne's first wife died in 1888, and in 1897 he was married to my mother, Mrs. N. J. Tait. They came to California in 1898, spending a year with us here. After this they alternated between living at the old home town of Adel and with us here in California, crossing the continent, in all, eleven times. In 1876 Father Payne and his wife and some of his children became members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, having accepted the faith under the labors of Elders Geo. I. Butler and D. M. Canright in a tent-meeting held in Adel that year. He remained steadfast to his convictions and his faith to the end of his life. Honesty and straightforward integrity were woven deeply into every part of his nature. He repudiated anything that was not genuine, honest, and true. He was very simple in all his habits and tastes, and enjoyed good health to the very last day of his life. He arose and dressed himself the last morning, and half an hour later he lay down on a couch and quietly breathed his last. In the sentiments of the language expressive of the brief obituaries of some of the patriarchs, he was an old man and “full of years.” He sank peacefully to sleep in the bright and blessed hope of being soon awakened to immortality in that near-by day of the first resurrection at the second coming of Christ. A. O. Tait.