Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-05-23
From the Watertown Demscrat, May 22nd.
Death Of r. l. Moak.


Mr.. j. T. MOAK, in the city of WATERFOWL,
Wis, Thursday evening, May 18th, 1862, in the
18th year of his age.
Mr.. R. l. MoAK was born in Sharon, Scho-
harie County, N. 7, September 23d, 1884. In
1856, he came to WATERFOWL, and engaged in
the grocery business as a clerk. In about
year, he went to Milwaukee, where he became
connected with the extensive mercantile estab-
lishment of HUM L CROSBY, as their principal
clerk, and remained with that firm until appoint
ed Sutler of the sth Regiment by Col. MURRAY.
His fidelity and diligence soon secured him the
regard and esteem of his employers-they re-
posing in him an unlimited confidence, which
he retained to the end. His genial social dis
position, sunny cheerfulness, and impulsive
liberality, soon gathered about him large circle
of acquaintance, and few were the young men
in that city who had more and warmer friends,
or were better known than SANDY" MoAK, as
ne was Familiarity called. On the 18th of Octo-
Der last, he left the State with his Regiment.
and with characteristic ardor and energy,
entered upon the discharge of his new and ex-
citing duties-following the moYemen IS of his
Regiment, and so generally winning the good
will of the officers and men that he became a
universal favorite. He made occasional visits
| to this State to complete his arrangements and
carry forward his operations, and the first and
only intimation his relatives here had of his
being sick, was on the 18th of April last,
when he incidentally remarked in long bust
ness letter to one of his brothers, that &c he was
n 1t feeling very WELL This casual observation
caused no fears for his safety, and probably he
did not himself so much as suspect that he was
even then within the shadows of the silent land,
and swiftly nearing the quiet anchorage of
the dead,' but so it was. a day or two after
wards, he was compelled to yield to the progress
| of disease and go to bed, where he remained
until the 9Th of May, when Col. MURPHY gave
him call, and comprehending his critical con-
dition, insisted on his immediate departure for
home, and promptly took the necessary steps to
enable him to do so without an hours delay.
Placing him under the care OF an intimate com
panion, Mr.. E. NJ SMITH of Chicago, thew
quickly started from Hamburg. Tenn, for this
place, but he was so weak and the Journey so
ling and tedious, that they could only travel
in sleeping cars during the night and rest
through the day-Mr SMITH giving him the
aid of the most unwearied care. They finally
reached this city on the morning of the 18th
Mr. MoAK in the mean while sinking lower and
lower, so that when he arrived he was helpless
infant, but still sufficiently conscious to
recognize those who met him at the depot He
was taken to Mr. J. T. MoAK's residence, where
all was attempted that could be done by the
interest solicitde of loving brothers, the skill
of physicians, and the attentions of willing
friends, to restore him to health and usefulness.
With only few intervals of returning sensibil-
ity, he rapidly wasted away, his strength failing
faster and faster, until at 1917 o'clock on Thurs
day evening, the 18th, he squietly and without
struggle, breathed his last-a kindly and
gentle hand closing his eyes in their final, tran
gull sleep, and all was over.
On Sunday afternoon he was buried, his flu
neral being attended by large concourse ofour
citizens, who deeply sympathized with the be-
reaved relatives. The Rev. CHARLES BoYHToN,
delivered an impressive and appropriate dis
course on the occasion; the Rev. D O JONES
assisting IN the other services. The brothers
present were VIM. T. MoAK, JusrUs T. MoAk.
and HARRISON MoAK; he has another, De WITrE
G. MoAK, in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry Regi-
ment, and still anotherin the State of New York,
WHARF are his parents and two sisters, and an
other sister in Minnesota, whose hearts before
this have been saddened by the intelligence of
their unexpected loss.
Mr.. R. L. MoAK possessed in an eminent de-
gree those qualities of head and heart which at
tract all who come within their influence. His
business talents were of high order. He was
invariably true TO all who relied on his integ-
rity-consid erng their interest as his and watch
ing over their affairs with all the concern with
which he would guard his own. When he
terminated his engagement with Messrs HUM
I rGggosBY, as a mark of their esteem and ex-
upright conduct pPTTeeeiation of his industry and
present. which he priced far more for tlRn dS :ome
that dictated the act, than for the amount itself
As he was about TO bid his associates adieu,
they pesented him with fine fatigue blanket
and revolver, on the latter of which was the in
scription 4" The Mltcaukee Boys to Sandy Moqk"
/ Those from Wisconsin who have ever visited
his camp, will remember the cordially with
which they were welcomed and the hospitality
with which they were entertained All were
his frieuds-all were glad to hear of his pros
perty, and none envied his success, for they
believed he deserved it. But while everything
looked fair and Promising-when he seemed
to be early grasping the golden fortune, which
is the labor and desire of most of us-he was
suddenly taken away, his plans but half-com-
/ Pleted, his dreams of the future forever over
cast-the grand drama of mighty war fading
4 from his vision-every hope and aspiration Of
/ youthful manhood left to wither and perish in
/ the grave that has just closed over him
/ Yet we must not for an instant think or be-
/ lieve all is lost. The life to come is nobler
/ gift than the life which is passed. To have
lived this life at all is blessing of infinite
value-itis have begun conscious existence
/ that will run parallel with the duration of the
/ Maker of Heaven and Earth. And though we
are permitted to get only passing glimpse of
/ the grandeur and beauty that surround the
material creation and can only see dimly through
the vail that hides from sight the dazzling
splendors of the Invisible and Eternal, we can
we'll and safely withdraw from these changing
scenes, and calmly resign ourselves into the
hands of a benefcent Creator, with hearts over
flowing with gratitude that we
IS Have been
Raised from the darkness of the eiod,