p. 31 | Obituaries

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 3, 1908

Obituaries

By L. A. Gibson; J. H. Wheeler; John F. Jones; E. J. Dryer; M. C. Israel; C. R. Kite; M. Jones; R. S. Owen

Markham.—Died at his home in Spokane, Wash., Dec. 1, 1907, of heart failure, Brother Hiram Johnson Markham, aged eighty-seven years and eight months. He accepted the truth in 1891, and remained steadfast till the end. He was ill for three years. His wife, two sons, and two daughters survive him. The service was conducted by the writer, the sermon being based on Job 5:26. L. A. Gibson.

McPheter.—William McPheter was born near Pittsburg, Pa., Sept. 4, 1825, and died at Edgemont, S. D., July 21, 1908, aged 82 years, 7 months, and 17 days, leaving three children. At the time of his death he was living with Dr. Butterbaugh, his son-in-law. Father McPheter was converted and united with the Seventh-day Adventist church at Knoxville, Iowa, in 1859. He was baptized by Moses Hull. He remained a member of this same church until his death. J. H. Wheeler.

Baker.—Died at Rock Hall, Md., Aug. 8, 1908, of marasmus, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Baker. We laid him to rest in the hope of a happy reunion when Jesus comes. Words of comfort based on Luke 18:16 were spoken by the writer. John F. Jones.

Backus.—Died at his home in Buffalo, N. Y., May 6, 1908, of heart-disease, Henry S. Backus, aged 68 years, 8 months, and 15 days. Brother Backus was formerly a member of the Episcopal Church, where he served as a church official for many years. Nearly twenty-five years ago he accepted present truth, and has been a devoted believer ever since. All who were acquainted with him recognized that he possessed a gentle Christian character. Words of consolation were spoken by the writer, from Rev. 14:13. E. J. Dryer.

Davis.—Mrs. Susan A. Davis was born in Clay County, Mo., Aug. 16, 1833, and died April 25, 1908, near Sheldon, Wyo. She accepted the truths taught by the Seventh-day Adventists about thirty years ago, under the labors of Elder Geo. I. Butler at Sedalia, Mo. Sister Davis was a faithful mother in Israel. She prized the truths of the message above everything else in the world. The last year of her life she was a great sufferer, but bore it patiently. She died in hope of soon being united with her family in the earth made new. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer, based on 2 Tim. 4:7, 8. J. H. Wheeler.

Chafer.—Mrs. Prudence Chafer, born Nov. 27, 1840, near Richmond, Ind., died at the home of her son, at Miami, Fla., June 8, 1908. She was married to Mr. Robert Chafer, Dec. 24, 1861, and accepted present truth about fourteen years ago, under the preaching of Elder J. W. Collie. The last few years of her life she was called upon to suffer considerably with a complication of diseases, but she manifested that cheerfulness which characterizes the true follower of Christ. Ever ready to minister to the needs of others, she drew around her a large circle of friends wherever she lived. Appropriate remarks were made by a minister, not of our faith, and she rests in peace to await the beautiful resurrection morning. LeRoy T. Crisler. Booth.—Mary A. Booth (née Wossner) was born in Rothenback, Wurtemberg, Germany, May 11, 1864, and died very suddenly of heart trouble, Aug. 1, 1908. She was united in marriage with Charles Booth on June 23, 1889. They both accepted the third angel's message fourteen years ago. She was a consistent Christian, a beloved wife, and her three boys, who are planning to enter one of our colleges, are evidence of the training of a loving Christian mother. She was highly esteemed by all her acquaintances, a large number of whom attended the funeral service at the Methodist church. The writer was assisted by the pastor of the church. Words of instruction and comfort were spoken from 1 Thess. 4:13-17 and other scriptures. We laid her away in the hope of soon meeting her again at the coming of the Lord. M. C. Israel.

Booth.—Mary A. Booth (née Wossner) was born in Rothenback, Wurtemberg, Germany, May 11, 1864, and died very suddenly of heart trouble, Aug. 1, 1908. She was united in marriage with Charles Booth on June 23, 1889. They both accepted the third angel's message fourteen years ago. She was a consistent Christian, a beloved wife, and her three boys, who are planning to enter one of our colleges, are evidence of the training of a loving Christian mother. She was highly esteemed by all her acquaintances, a large number of whom attended the funeral service at the Methodist church. The writer was assisted by the pastor of the church. Words of instruction and comfort were spoken from 1 Thess. 4:13-17 and other scriptures. We laid her away in the hope of soon meeting her again at the coming of the Lord. M. C. Israel.

Middaugh.—Died at Fremont, Neb., May 23, 1908, Sister Grace Middaugh, aged 37 years, 4 months, and 26 days. She was married to Lyman Middaugh, March 17, 1891, and was the mother of seven children, five of whom are still living, one an infant son, less than two weeks old. The circumstances of her death were very sad, but the Man of sorrows came near to comfort the bereaved husband and motherless children. Sister Middaugh was greatly beloved by all who knew her. She had a sweet disposition, and a good word for every one. Every evening she would gather her children around her and read from God's Book, or relate to them some beautiful story. She lived trusting in the Saviour, and closed her eyes in the sleep of death with the blessed assurance of awaking when the Life-giver shall call. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer, from Ps. 116:15. C. R. Kite.

Prince.—Died at Cleburne, Tex., in July, 1908, of typhoid pneumonia, Sister Estnole Prince, aged 17 years, 11 weeks, and 2 days. She was conscious till death, and departed this life full of hope and calm resignation. Words of comfort were addressed to the bereaved family and friends by the pastor of the A. M. E. Church. M. Jones.

Benton.—Died at Pasadena, Cal., June 5, 1908, Lorenzo D. Benton, aged seventy-six years. He was a member of our church for twenty-six years, and an earnest, devoted man. In former years Brother and Sister Benton were constant attendants at our church and annual camp-meetings, and their testimonies of hope and good courage have cheered many. As the result of two falls, Sister Benton became a cripple, and quite helpless. At the same time Brother Benton grew feeble, and their faces and voices were missed in our meetings. In their home they loved to talk and think of the soon coming of Jesus. The funeral service was conducted by the writer. R. S. Owen.

Larsen.—Died at Burbank, Cal., June 19, 1908, of spinal meningitis, A. G. Larsen, aged 18 years. During the last eleven years, he has been a student in our academy in Keene, Tex., or at Fernando, Cal. He was a quiet, earnest boy, a good student, and highly esteemed by his teachers for his integrity and punctuality. About one year ago his foot was crushed in a hay-baler. Since then he has been unable to walk much of the time, except on crutches. During his last sickness he was very patient, and enjoyed the blessing of God. We believe that Jesus will confess his name before his Father and the holy angels. The funeral service was held at Fernando, and he was laid to rest by the side of his father to await the coming of the Life-giver. R. S. Owen.

Jenne.—Mary J. Jenne, better known as Mary J. Douglas, died at Seaton, Mercer Co., Ill., July 20, 1908. The funeral was held on July 23, which would have been her eighty-third birthday. She was married to Andrew J. Douglas in 1848. About the year 1878 they attended a series of meetings held by Elder R. F. Andrews near their farm in Mercer County, both accepted the message, and began to keep the commandments. To them were born eight children, one of whom was the mother of Dr. F. E. Braucht of the Wichita, Kan., Sanitarium. Brother Douglas died April 12, 1902. In 1905 Sister Douglas married Dr. L. K. Jenne, who still survives, although nearly ninety years old. Sister Jenne remained a faithful member of the Aledo (Ill.) church of Seventh-day Adventists from the time she was baptized by Elder Andrews, about 30 years ago, until she died. Job 14:14 was used by the writer as a text at the funeral service, which was held in the Presbyterian church of Seaton, Ill. Freeman J. Harris.

Childs.—James Addison Childs, who had been a resident of Spokane, Wash., for the last eight years, died in the hospital for the insane at Medical Lake, Wash., May 3, 1908, from softening of the brain, aged eighty-one years. His illness was caused by apoplexy. In 1851 he married Miss Sarah Swain, of Ohio. They lived happily together for twenty-three years, when death claimed the wife and mother. Five children were given to them, three of whom survive him. In 1881 he married Mrs. C. L. B. Aurner, of Swan Lake, S. D., who with the children mentioned are now bereaved. He accepted the Seventh-day Adventist faith in 1884, and served faithfully for years on the conference committee both in Dakota and Nebraska. His home was always open to brethren and friends. He gave thousands of dollars to forward the cause to which he was so devoted. Nothing gave him so much pleasure during his last years as to talk over his past interesting experiences in church work. Many friends from Spokane attended the funeral, which was conducted by the writer in the Presbyterian church at Medical Lake. The discourse was based on 2 Tim. 4:7, 8. L. A. Gibson.