Obituaries

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 28, 1909

Thomas.— Died at Mantee, Miss., June 15, 1908, from the effects of a lingering illness, Sister Salome E. Thomas. Sister Thomas was a devoted believer in the message. She accepted the faith in Texas, and since her return to Mississippi, she has been isolated the larger part of the time from those of the same faith, yet at all times she stood firmly for the truth, and desired her life to be a light in the community where she resided. She was buried at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, near her home. W. J. Blake.

Foster.— Reuben J. Foster was born in Jefferson County, New York, Nov. 16, 1836, and died at the home of his daughter, six miles south of Grand Rapids, Mich., Nov. 26, 1908. He came to Michigan when a boy, accepted the truth of the third angel's message at the age of twenty-one, and at the age of twenty-eight was married to Miss Martha A. Wells. He had a living faith in God, and rests in the hope of a soon-coming Saviour. Three children and many friends are left to mourn. Words of comfort were spoken from Job 19:25, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Wright Cemetery. J. M. Wilbur.

Longley.— Died suddenly from an acute attack of indigestion, at her home at Robey Station, Va., near Washington, D. C., Dec. 14, 1908, Mrs. Cora A. Longley, wife of H. E. Longley. Sister Longley was forty-two years of age. She was born at Eaton, Mich. She and her husband were baptized into the third angel's message some twelve years ago by Elder A. O. Burrill, at Ola, Mich. She leaves a husband, three sons, and three daughters to mourn. The funeral service was conducted by the writer at the home, December 16. Words of comfort were spoken from 1 Cor. 15:51. Sister Longley was buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, D. C. K. C. Russell.

Wild.— Died on her sixtieth birthday, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 1908, at her home in New York City, of cancer, Mrs. Emily Wild. She accepted present truth eight years ago, and joined the Bronx Seventh-day Adventist church. She was faithful to the end. Words of comfort were spoken by J. J. Kennedy, who based his remarks on Rev. 1:18. The remains were interred in Woodlawn Cemetery. J. M. Calvert.

De Graw.— John L. De Graw was born in New York State, May 21, 1838, and died near Emporia, Va., Dec. 3, 1908. When quite young, he moved to Michigan, joining the Seventh-day Adventist church at Alma about twenty-five years ago. About six years ago he came to Virginia. His death was caused by Bright's disease. He leaves a wife, two sons, one daughter, several grandchildren, and many friends to mourn. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer, from Rev. 14:13. H. W. Herrell.

Fish.— Died at Los Angeles, Cal., of cancer, at the age of sixty-three years, Edward M. Fish, formerly of Leroy, Mich. Brother Fish accepted present truth in 1886, and has been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church since that time. During the past two years he has been a constant sufferer, but his patience and faith have been a blessing to the Edendale church, of which he was a member. His dying testimony was, “All is well.” The service was conducted by Elder J. W. Adams, assisted by the writer. R. S. Owen.

Hutchins.— Frank A. Hutchins was born in Fayetteville, N. Y., in 1853, and died of a complication of diseases, Nov. 20, 1908. In early years he became a member of the Presbyterian Church, later uniting with the Seventh-day Adventist church at Syracuse, N. Y., of which he has been a faithful and loyal member. He had a beautiful tenor voice, which he consecrated to the service of the Master. An aged father, a daughter, a son, and one brother, with a large circle of friends, are left to mourn. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. F. H. Laird (Presbyterian), a beloved friend of the bereaved family. We laid him to rest in the village cemetery, with the full assurance that if faithful, we shall yet hear him sing God's praise in the earth made new. *

Keller.— Vina May Smith was born at Thamesville, Ontario, Canada, Aug. 26, 1881; was married in 1905 to Mr. Keller, and one year later, with her husband, was graduated from the Battle Creek Sanitarium as a nurse. In November of the present year she underwent an operation at the sanitarium at Philadelphia, Pa., where her brother, Dr. W. Smith, is superintendent. Owing to weakness of heart action, and other complications, she died November 29. The funeral service was conducted by the writer, from her father's home near Charlotte, Mich., after which we laid her to rest in the beautiful cemetery to await the coming of the Lord. This is the first time that death has entered this family. The father, mother, four brothers, and two sisters mourn deeply their loss. W. R. Matthews.

Tefft.— Died of hemorrhage, caused by cancer of the stomach, at the home of his daughter, at Allentown, N. Y., Nov. 21, 1908, Elisha H. Tefft, aged 75 years, 7 months, and 22 days. Father was born at South Kingston, R. I., March 29, 1833. In early life he accepted Christ, and joined the Baptist Church. In 1855 he was married to Mary Jane Brandt, now deceased. In 1864 Elders M. E. Cornell and J. N. Loughborough preached the third angel's message in Rhode Island, and father and mother became charter members of the Seventh-day Adventist church at Curtis Corners. He was ever steadfast to the truth, firm to principle, and through months of intense suffering maintained his faith till the last. Of seven children, four are living to mourn his loss, but not without hope of seeing him again in the resurrection morning. Brief and appropriate remarks were made by Rev. Chattin, of the Methodist Church. Mrs. M. S. Collins.

Stratford.— Mrs. Blanch Stratford, née Seward, died of tuberculosis, Jan. 2, 1909, at Kokomo, Ind. Sister Stratford was born near Kokomo, Nov. 9, 1880. When about twenty years of age, she was married to Orla Stratford. The husband and one daughter survive. She died in hope, rejoicing in the thought of the soon-coming Saviour. The funeral service was conducted by the writer. A. L. Miller.

Townsend.— Dec. 11, 1908, Mrs. H. D. Townsend, late of Lyndonville, N. Y., was laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, where she awaits the call of the great Lifegiver. She was about eighty years of age. She was born at Catskill, Greene Co., where her early life was spent. Later she lived in Partridge and Elmira, but the last months of her life were spent at Lyndonville with a son. At an early age she expressed her love for her Saviour, and joined the Episcopal Church, which connection she held until a few years ago, when she accepted present truth. The funeral service was conducted by the writer. R. B. Clapp.

Larson.— Died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. L. H. Thorkelson, at Ruthven, Iowa, of old age, Anna Margaret Larson, aged 82 years, 10 months, and 22 days. Sister Larson was born in Eidsvold, Norway, Dec. 23, 1825. Dec. 26, 1850, she was married to Christian Larson. In 1869 they came to the United States, settling in Dane County, Wis. In 1872 they moved to Iowa, and settled in Palo Alto County, where they lived until her death. In 1872 Sister Larson accepted the doctrines of Seventh-day Adventists under the labors of Elder John F. Hansen. She lived a consistent Christian life, and died in the faith, with the hope of a part in the resurrection of the just. Four children, with one brother and one sister, are left to mourn. The funeral service was conducted by the writer; text, 1 Thess. 4:13-18. W. D. Parkhurst.

Fleming.— Mary, wife of J. E. Fleming, was born Oct. 25, 1877, and died at her home in Wichita, Kan., Nov. 28, 1908, aged 31 years, 1 month, and 3 days. She was converted at an early age, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church; later she joined the Presbyterian Church. Four years ago she became acquainted with the truth through the labors of Sister K. Dick, and gladly accepted it. A husband and six children are left to mourn, yet they sorrow not as those who have no hope. During her life she taught her children to live Christian lives, and her last thoughts were for them. We laid her away in the Highland Cemetery at Wichita, to await the coming of the Lifegiver. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer, from John 14:1-3; 2:24, 25. Dr. F. E. Braucht assisted in the service. H. E. Kirk.

Hill.— Benjamin F. Hill was born in Southampton, England, Aug. 27, 1826, and died in Charlotte, Mich., Dec. 25, 1908, aged 82 years, 3 months, and 28 days. He came to America with his parents when two years of age. In 1853, with his wife and two children, Brother Hill moved to Michigan, and located near the present city of Charlotte. May 20, 1849, Brother Hill was united in marriage to Miss Rachel A. Barkdull, with whom he lived happily for nearly sixty years, and who survives him. Six children were born to this union, four of whom survive to comfort the sorrowing wife and mother. His Christian experience began when he was about sixteen years of age, at which time he united with the Methodist Church. In 1862, under the labors of Elders J. N. Loughborough and Moses Hull, he accepted the views held by the Seventh-day Adventists. His life of self-denial and sacrifice has ever been a worthy example to believers. In the death of Brother Hill the community loses a highly respected citizen, and the church a beloved leader and counselor. The funeral service was conducted by Elder W. R. Matthews, assisted by the writer. S. D. Hartwell.