The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-02-14

Died in this city on Saturday the 9th of February,
REUBEN II. DEMINe aged SO years.
The deceased having for many years filled wide
sphere of usefulness in this place. deserves a more
| than passing obituary notice. Mr.. Deming was
born in Danyille, Caledonia County Vermont. He
received in early life good English education In
the we ar 1920 he became resident OF St. Johnsbury
VT and in the same year was married to his first
wife. 1t was also in the same year that he was set
apart to the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal
church. He continued in the regular ministry,
preaching in several important localities in his ma
tive state, up to the year 1885,
He came to this place (then called Southport with
his family to reside in the year 1885, During flew
of the first years Of his residence here, he was
ciated in the mercantile business with Hon. Charles
Durkee, Governor of the Territory of Utah. His
business associations however, did not prevent his
preaching every Sabbath for some years notwith-
standing the diversity OF his employments, he con-
tlnued to preach although with less frequency,
I'll some year or more before his death, when his
health became too enfeebled to perform that kind of
service. 1t is proper TO say, that after he became
resident OF Wisconsin, he did not otficlae in the
churches of his denomination by conference APP
pointment but bestowed his labors chiefly in desti
tute congregations and neighborhoods. Wherever
there was a desire expressed by numbers however
small, TO hear the gospel preached, he freely gave
his services. To the poor and the frendless in their
Affections and bereavements especially was his min
lstry known. The abodes OF poverty and want,
lound IN him true friend and sympathlser
AS mark OF the confidence reposed in him by
his fellow citizens, it may be mentioned that he
held at various times offices of public trust and
sponsibilty He was elected to the Territorial Leg
Isature, prior to our becoming State; he held the
office of Justice of the Peace several terms: he held
elected important town and city offices at differ.
ent times, 81 Gs. ...s ..s
On every question of reform, Mr.. Deming was
eminently progressive, aES> was always found in
the front rank. Never was there public improve
ment suggested in the town, which gave reasonable
promise OF utility, but he was found among its &C
i've supporters He was liberal in his contributions
TO benevolent and public purposes, seemingly to
fault His proyerbial liberaliGy was not favorable
to the accumulation of riches, yet he had sufficient
OF this worlds goods for the substantial comforts of
HE. Men OF bis stamp OF mind and Of character, |
leave far richer legacy behind them than those
who live merely for the achievement of wealth Men
who devote their energies for the elevation OF hui
manity, build enduring monuments, which shall
survive when the rcl man shall have died-his pos
sessions scattered-his name forgotten, or perhaps
only remembered to be despised.
In the early history of the ant-slavery movement
IN this State, Mr.. Deming was among the first to
identity himself with those who lnterposed in be-
half OF the down trodden and crushed slave. He |
stood Tor years with small minority, Drawing an
overwhelming public sentiment, and patiently en-
during the popular sneers, aimed the friends of
the negro BY the blessing OF God, he lived to see
TO see the day, when the principles espoused by a
little band feeble III numbers, became a power in
the natonoverthrowing one of the greatest wrongs
and V1anies, that ever dsgraced the page of peo
pies history.
In all the various movements for the discourage
ment and suppression of the use of Intoxicating
drinks, MIR. Deming was always found earnestly en-
listed on the side Oh temperance. Whenever there
was meeting called, TO give expression for the
advancement oil the temperance reform, he was al
ways on hand, to aid by his counsels and his per-
sonal efforts. The amount OF good he rendered the
temperance cause can never be known here, it will
be revealed when the books shall be opened the
other side of the river DEATH Unlike that Of the
tslayery triumph, he died before witnessing the
from he terri hla
dage OF lntemperance.
@ "a @ for the
ested than in the establishment OF Public Schools
our admission into the Union as State, few friends
Of education resolved upon the establishment of sys
an act was procured from the Territorial Legislature
In lS45, allowing the question to be submitted to the
schools should be supported wholly by taxation ON
property The chief cost in supporting schools at that
the RICH the expense of the schools being shared by
sent to school Tie idea OF free schools was unfavora
ply regarded by the mass OF the people. The PUBLIC
ana preludlces overcome Besides it was deemed an
eaI 70 here when they had
1tcult work TO procure the adoption by the people
ree schools. Public meetings, discussions and agGa
IONS, were necessary to prepare the way In all of
"a. Demlng bore most Conspicuous part He devoted
n s talents and every approximate appliance With UNI
nor the friends of free schools. achieved ther long
ouSHI Ior triumph Inc services OF Mi. Demng In be-
lat of our Public Schools, deserves honorable re-
ions ~ VT
During the period which has interviewed since the per-
nanent establishment of our public schools, Mr.. Dem
ng has never ceased to eynce his deep and Jntring
interest in their welfare and advancement. No man
nong us, has been more frequent visitor in the
III n giving good counsel to to the rising generation
when a good man dies the community suffers loss
nut then his virtues and good deeds live after him. to
less human y and to stimulate to nobler action That
DR., Denlng was taultless that he had no weakness
s incident TO human character, will be not pretended
ertectlon can be ascribed to man living or dead
S9t that he II we'd preemnently good mans life and
eft the Wor Id the better for having lived in it, must be
he united testimony ofthose who knew best. He died
the trlumphs OF the christians faith, and has now
inferred upon the christians reward.