p. 21 | Obituaries

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 5, 1914

Obituaries

HOLBROOK.— Judge Charles Clement Holbrook was born in Russell, Va., July 13, 1848. He died from hardening of the arteries, at his home in Alamosa, Colo., Aug. 27, 1914. He is survived by his wife, one son, and two daughters. Brother Holbrook was taken away very suddenly and unexpectedly. Of late he seemed to be in unusually good health. He attended our late camp meeting in Denver most of the time, and took an active part in the meetings. The shock was great to the family and to all who knew him. Sister Holbrook, especially, is greatly affected and prostrated by her great loss. The loss will be deeply felt by the Alamosa church, of which he was the elder. His counsel and services will also be greatly missed in the conference. We all feel that “there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel.” But we mourn not without hope. We have the assurance that our brother sleeps in Jesus, and that we shall soon see him. The Denver Post in an extended notice of his work presented these facts: “District Judge Charles C. Holbrook, known as the ‘Seventh-day Adventist Judge,’ a Republican leader of the State and nominee of that party for supreme judge, died at his home in Alamosa this morning. Judge Holbrook was one of the best-known and popular jurists in Colorado. He was born in Russell County, Virginia, July 13, 1848, his father being Col. S. V. Holbrook. He was educated in Virginia and Kentucky, being admitted to the bar in the latter State in 1876, locating at Greenup. In 1877 Judge Holbrook removed to Castle Rock, Colo. Four years later he was elected district attorney of the Fourth Judicial District, but before the expiration of his term removed to Alamosa. For seven years Judge Holbrook served as attorney for Conejos County, and in 1891 was elected judge of the Twelfth District. Judge Holbrook was one of the most active workers in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and was an elder of the local church, often occupying the pulpit. He never would hold court on Saturdays, but in order that his religious belief might not inflict any hardship or inconvenience upon attorneys at his bar, would hold night sessions for their benefit and to keep up with his docket.” The funeral services were conducted by the writer in the opera building. It was estimated that almost one thousand persons were present to express their sympathies and high respect. He was indeed held in great esteem by all who knew him. Judges and lawyers from almost all parts of the State were present. Judge Hayt and the Alamosa ministers of other denominations sat with us on the rostrum. At the close of the sermon each one spoke a few words of sympathy, and of high regard and esteem. Judge Hayt spoke for the Bench and Bar Association of Colorado. The ministers all stated that they felt they were benefited by having known our brother, and that his life could not but bear fruit. Just two Sabbaths before his death Judge Holbrook preached a powerful sermon on the prophecies and the present European war, which greatly impressed the people of Alamosa. Our heartfelt sympathies, as a conference, go out to Sister Holbrook and the children in this hour of their deep sorrow. G. W. ANGLEBARGER.

PONTIUS.— Abraham Pontius was born in Stark County, Ohio, Nov. 20, 1831, and died near Akron, Ind., Oct. 1, 1914, in the home where he had lived since 1853. He was married to Christiana Kriegbaum, who died in 1854. Two years later he was united in marriage with Rachel Pontius. Twelve children were born to them, seven of whom, with their aged mother, are left to mourn. Two brothers and several other relatives also survive. Brother Pontius united with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1885. Words of consolation were spoken from Job 14:14. W. A. YOUNG.

COMPTON.— Luisa J. Compton died in Lagrange, Ohio, Aug. 29, 1914, aged 72 years. She was a Christian all her life, but was led to accept present truth in 1884, under the ministry of Elder J. Sisley. With her husband she united with the Seventh-day Adventist church at that time, and their constant efforts for the advancement of the cause of truth have been richly blessed. H. M. JUMP.

HALL.— Mrs. Louise E. Hall was born May 20, 1833, in Manchester, England, and died in Divide, Colo., Aug. 21, 1914, in her eighty-second year. She is survived by one son and two daughters. At the time of her death Sister Hall had accepted all points of the Seventh-day Adventist faith. She had not yet united with the church, but expected to do so soon. The funeral services, in charge of the writer, were conducted in the Methodist Episcopal church. G. W. ANGLEBARGER.

SCHAEFER.— George Schaefer was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 9, 1862, and fell asleep in Jesus at his home in Oakland Township, Wisconsin, Sept. 23, 1914. About twenty-five years ago Brother Schaefer was baptized and became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He served his Master faithfully until his death. Of his immediate relatives, his companion, formerly Miss Sarah Crandell, of Cady, Wis., three sisters, and two brothers are left to mourn. G. H. BLUM.

PHILLIPS.— John Henry Phillips was born in Baltimore, Md., March 15, 1860. He was married to Lena Kurrichanor in Chitwood, Oregon, Sept. 23, 1896. In April, 1907, he was baptized and united with the Chitwood Seventh-day Adventist Church, serving as deacon and treasurer until the time of his death, which occurred Oct. 8, 1914. His wife, two daughters, and a son six years of age are left to mourn, but they find comfort in the blessed hope. Services were conducted by the writer. ALBERT COVEY.

SHIRLEY.— Waitsel S. Shirley was born Aug. 10, 1832. The family moved to Indiana in 1847, and she was married to Dr. Jackson Shirley two years later. Of their six children four are living. Sister Shirley made her home in New London, Ind., from 1863 until Oct. 5, 1914, when she fell asleep in Jesus. For many years she lived in patient waiting for the coming of her Saviour. Many friends gathered to pay the last tokens of respect to this highly respected Christian woman, and were comforted with the words found in Rev. 14:13. W. A. YOUNG.

NEAL.— Mrs. Jane Neal was born Jan. 21, 1830, and died July 3, 1914. Her early life was spent in the State of Kentucky. In company with others she crossed the plains with an ox team in 1859, and settled in the Walla Walla Valley. She heard and embraced present truth under the labors of Elder I. D. Van Horn, and became one of the charter members of the Walla Walla Seventh-day Adventist Church. Sister Neal dearly loved the truth, and was deeply interested in its work among the people. She died strong in the faith, and rests awaiting the call of the Life-giver. One daughter, an only child, is left to mourn. A. J. BREED.

LAUDER.— Elizabeth Lauder, of Lickley’s Corners, Hillsdale Co., Mich., died Sept. 30, 1914. She was born near Patterson, N. J., Sept. 3, 1826. The family moved to Michigan and settled in Wright Township by 1856, and there Sister Lauder spent the remainder of her life. In 1862 she embraced present truth through the labors of Elder J. N. Loughborough, and was a member of the Ransom Center Seventh-day Adventist Church. When that church was disbanded, her membership was transferred to the Prattville church, of which she was a member at the time of her death. Sister Lauder was a consistent Christian, and greatly desired to live until the Saviour’s coming. However, her health began to fail rapidly several years ago, and the last year of her life was spent with her daughter in Hillsdale, Mich. The funeral services were conducted by Elder J. C. Williamson. C. S. VEEDER.

HOLLAND.— William Benton Holland was born in Platte County, Missouri, in 1843, and died in San Pedro, Cal., May 18, 1914. Brother Holland accepted present truth in 1886, and fell asleep in the assurance of a part in the first resurrection. His wife, four daughters, and three sons are left of his immediate relatives. Prominent among Brother Holland’s characteristics were his integrity as a business man and his love for his family as a husband and father. The sorrowing relatives and friends were comforted by the words found in 1 Cor. 15:26. J. G. SMITH.

ALLEN.— Mary Jane Fletcher was born in Michigan, Sept. 4, 1854, and died Aug. 12, 1914. At an early age she went with her parents to Minnesota, where, in 1874, she was united in marriage with C. H. Allen. In 1896 they moved to College Place, Wash., where they have since made their home. A husband, two sons, an aged mother, five sisters, and one brother are left to mourn. While the deceased never made a profession of religion, yet she kept the Sabbath of the Lord with her family. Words of consolation were spoken by the writer. A. J. BREED.

SKIDMORE.— Bertha Skidmore was born in Kansas City, Nov. 25, 1893, and died Sept. 20, 1914. She was united in marriage with Mr. K. Skidmore July 4, 1912. Five years ago the light of present truth came to her. During her long illness, she bore her suffering patiently, taking comfort in the hope of a soon-coming Saviour. She was a faithful member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church at Kansas City, Kans. Her husband and parents, one sister, four brothers, and a large circle of friends and relatives are left to mourn. Elder R. L. Bradford assisted the writer at the funeral service. J. W. ALLISON.

FITZGERALD.— Sarah A. May was born Sept. 22, 1857, at Attica, Ind. She was the youngest of eleven children. Oct. 6, 1870, she was united in marriage to Dr. Henry C. Fitzgerald, of Milton, Mo. Sister Fitzgerald accepted the faith held by Seventh-day Adventists, under the labors of Elder Henry Shultz, in Dunbar, Nebr., in 1881. She was a faithful believer in the message, and sacrificed much for the advancement of the cause she loved so dearly. We have every reason to believe that she will have a part in the first resurrection. Her aged companion and one daughter are left of her immediate relatives. The funeral services were conducted by Elder Charles Thompson. E. T. RUSSELL.

SANDBORN.— Columbus Sandborn was born in New York State, June 29, 1837. He died in Portland, Mich., Oct. 6, 1914. Fifty-four years ago father and mother were united in marriage. To them eight children were born. One died at four years of age. All the others lived until last March, when Alice Crapo, the youngest child, died at the age of twenty-nine, leaving a husband and four children. Both father and Alice died as they had lived—consistent Christians. Forty-three years ago he accepted the third angel’s message, and always remained true to its teachings. He was a strong believer in the soon coming of the Lord, and sacrificed much that we, his children, might be educated to carry the message of his Lord’s return. Mother has stood shoulder to shoulder with him in all his struggles. It is hard for her to be thus left, but her hope is in God, who is her stay and comfort. I am thankful for the lives of my father and mother. There are six of us children left, and although all could not be at the funeral, yet we can all look forward to the resurrection with assurance that we shall meet father among the redeemed saints. A short time before his death he expressed a desire that I preach his funeral sermon. I am thankful God gave me strength to do this. The theme of the sermon was the second coming of Christ and the resurrection. Elder McVagh, president of the West Michigan Conference, and the Congregational minister, in whose church the service was held, assisted. A. R. SANDBORN.

CORNELL.— Leonard W. Cornell was born in Jackson, Mich., Nov. 18, 1843, and died at his home in Ottawa, Kans., Sept. 4, 1914. During the Civil War, Brother Cornell served in the Union army. In 1869 he was married to Elizabeth Witherspoon, of Springfield, Mo. Eight children were born to them, seven of whom survive. With one exception all the family were at his bedside when death came. The deceased accepted present truth thirty-eight years ago, and remained a devoted member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church until the end. The old soldiers of Ottawa showed their esteem for their fallen comrade by their presence and assistance at the funeral service. Words of consolation were spoken by the writer, and we laid our brother to rest, awaiting the call of the Life-giver. D. E. HUFFMAN.

SURDAM.— Died, Oct. 17, 1914, at the home of her daughter, in Kansas City, Kans., Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Surdam, née Williams. She was born Dec. 21, 1822, in Springfield, Mass., and at the time of her death was in her ninety-second year. She was married to Lawrence Surdam Jan. 1, 1851. To this union were born four children, three of whom were present at the funeral service. Two sisters of the deceased are also living. Sister Surdam cast her lot with this people in the early days of their history as a denomination, and the experiences of 1844 were bright in her memory. She was a constant reader of the REVIEW AND HERALD from the beginning of its publication, and remained faithful to the truth until the last. This loyalty was the means of bringing all her family to the Lord. Elder J. Z. Walker assisted in the funeral service. W. W. STEBBINS.

CHRISTENSEN.— Christian Christensen was born in Denmark, March 8, 1833, and died Aug. 13, 1914. The family came to America in 1887, and settled in South Dakota, living at Swan Lake and later in Viborg. While still in his native land Brother Christensen became interested in the third angel’s message through reading our literature, and joined with others in sending to America for a preacher. Elder J. G. Matteson answered the call, and among those who accepted the truth fully under his labors was Brother Christensen. He ever rejoiced in the message, and it proved a strength and comfort to him throughout life. Our brother possessed a noble, sincere, devoted Christian character. He is survived by his wife, four sons, and one daughter, but they sorrow not as others who have no hope. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer. E. G. HAYES.