Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-03-07
Obituary.

DIED:-at his residence, in Indiana, on
Thursday, Feb. 22d at l0.4S p. m. JONA
THAN Row, father of the editor OF the
Raftsman's Journal) aged So years, 9 months
and l6 days. .
The deceased was born in Westmoreland
county, Pa, on the 9th day OF June 1902.
In 1886 he was appointed by Governor Rit
ner, Register and Recorder of Westmoreland
county. In 1887 he started German news
paper in Greensburg, and in 1899 he COM
menced the publication Of the Greensburg
Sentinel, which atterward merged INTO the
Mtetfgencer, and later into the Herald. In
1912 he moved to Somerset, and there pub
lished the German Repu6likaner, and the
Herald for seven years, during which time
he was elected and served one term as Treas
1852 he removed with his family to Indiana,
and there published The Register for seven
years, when declining health imposed the
REIMBURSEMENT of his editorial as well as
manual labors.
When he was lad of some fourteen years
having previously had the benefit of three
month 5 instruction in country public school
all the schooling he ever recelved-he "a
vailed himself of every spare moment from
toll, to store his mind with knowledge.
When out upon the fields of his father 5
farm, blowing or hauling, he always imprOv
ed the moments while giving his horses
short rest, to commit to memory verse or
two from the Lutheran catechism-a book
he usually carried with him. So also amid
all his labors. And during the long winter
nights he would seat himself by the large
log Ere burning upon the hearth, and there
read and study, viii le, perhaps, other chill
dren amused themselves with play. In the
oo,~,o >f n fa,p - ba n a1 m ade Such nro-
gress that he had carefully read nearly all
the books constituting the meagre family IL
brary, ,and other works OF value which he was
enabled to borrow in the neig ghborhood. Un-
der such circumstances he acquired much OF
that knowledge which served to make him
what he was in later years. His life, so long
as health permitted was one of application
to, and toll in the interest OF good moras,
and business In all private and public. affairs.
Whatever his errors may have been, they
we're of the head and not of the heart lie
early professed christianity, and united In
fellowship with the Lutheran church.. IN
which religious connection he continued to
live, and died His constant, chief desire
was to be upright and virtuous-an in his
last moments he expressed lively hopes of
Immortality, seeming always most at rest
when some one read TO him from the Bible.
Ills lutclltCt HtfCi hiiii' ehd i"c
as he could speak tuntil few minutes before
his DEATH his expressions were coherent and
hoT eful Even as death crowded slowly
upon him, his reason was unclouded, and
his thoughts lucid ; and he died knowing In
whom he trusted.
The later years of his life were fraught
with severe trials of the spirit and the body.
In March, 1859, he was prostrated by paraly-
sis of the left side, rendering him peculiar
ly helpless. leaving only so much strength
as to admit of the most feeble motions of the
arm and leg. Finally his sight, which had
been impaired some thirty-fve years, for
sock him. In this condition ne was wont to
have some one to entertain HIM with read
ings from the Bible, and the newspapers OF
the day. He ever manifested great interest
in current events, and derived sweet conso-
lation in his recolections of the precepts he
had learned from his cateehism IN the days
of his youth and from the abundant store ste
of knowledge with which his mind was filled
by the studies and reflections OF his later
years.
ssUnyeiI thy bosom faithful tomb,
Take this new treasure to thy trust,
And give these sacred relics room.
To slumber in the silent dust
"Nor paio, nor grief, nor anxious fear
Invades thy bounds-no IN ortai woes
Can reach the peaceful sleeper here,
While angels watch his soft repose.