The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-01-16
OBITUARY..

OBITUARY.
John Gi,lis. whose decease we briefly noticed
last week wa: i,.rn in Boston. Mass. December
s, 1902, and res ided there till ne was about
twelve years Of .se when he moved with his
fathers family to the city OF Philadelphia.
where in after years, he served an apprentice
ship to the tanning and currying business. Al
ter completing his apprenticeship he moved to
Pittsburgh where he worked at his trade TILL
1928. and in April Of that year he came to Ra-
VIENNA and worked for a short time in the tan
merry then located at the corner Of Chestnut ana
Oak streets. He went back to Ptttsbufgh aiter
working here a few months and returned Oh the
10th of November of that year to make THIS
village his permanent home. purchasing said
works which he ran Tor number OF years IN
connection with the late Cyrus Prentiss.
In April 1881, he was united in marriage
with Lucia A. oldest daughter Of the late Gen.
Samuel D. Harris. who survives him. seven
children were the result of this union, only
three of whom are Gving-Mrs. r. o. Strong, OF
st. Paul. Minnesota, Charles J. Gillis. OF Orton-
Vile. Minnesota, and Mrs. George +. Robinson,
of this village--three Of the others died in in
fancy, and John II died in camp during the
war, Of varioloid. -.,s
After selling out his interest in the, business
Will AX 1TtntlAS, NC CEoSbSu y SAAhSAy oAA AAAS
premises on Sycamore street. where he conduct
ed business for several years. In the fall OF
1876 he was elected Sheriff of this county and
held the office Tor the period Of four years-two
terms-discharging the duties Of the Office with
credit tc himself and acceptably to the pubic
For about six years he was associated with w m
D. Durham in the shoe and leather business
and for about three years with David Lindsay
in the same calling. His was an active, busy
life, and by his industry and economy he Sc
cured q sufficiency to minister to his moderate
wants. He was an Intelligent. moral and up
right man. ono who never wilfully or knowing
ly wronged or gave offence to q fellow being,
and he leaves to his family and friends name
more precious than worldly wealth.
Mr.. Gillis was a man of temperate habits
good health and constitution, but for several
years he had been afflicted with u sore upon the
left side of his under lip. though it gave him
but little trouble till some time last June. when
the physicians pfoneunced it cancer, and it
soon after commenced spreading. running rap
idly down npon his neck and causing intense
suffering, finally terminating his earth life at
six O'Clock on the evening of January 7th 1879
During all his illness he bore his intense suffer-
ings without q murmur, ami when the end came
he passed away without = struggle.
His funeral took place from the family resi-
dence. on Chestnut street at O'Clock Thursday
afternoon, and, Notwithstanding the severity of
the weather. was attended by large number Of
sympathizing friends. Rev. C. v. Wilson. OF
the NJ. e. Church, conducted the services and
paid the following beautiful and merited tribute
to the life and character of the deceased:
As citizens and friends We meet to-day to pay on
t, Iespeeis 70 al 1nst RENAME o. our non1sed
these remains to their last and long resting place it
IL highly appropriate that we should scan his life,
and lives thOse qualities which have rendered him
an obj ect of respect and love
some good. to find some noble principle, to
discover some true and honorable trait worthy OF
and worthy Of donSs ne VINO mas o0e
conscience and who yet lacks all that is worthy Of
respect, honor and consideration at the bands of
his fellow men has indeed wasted his substance in
riotaus living. II is usual to find those OF great
and distinguishing virtues possessed also Of great
| thought and feeling is quite apt to swing Ear iu
one direction az in the other Action and reaction
are me same ~ opposns oireeuons: IneTe are lew
and consistent q character as that OF Mr. Gilns.
Very few whose virtues were 60 many and whose
| faults were 60 few And while an ostentatious
| enumeration OF his many virtues would be sadly
out of harmony with his quiet and modest ife in
| points winch rendered him the man be was. The
prominent feature of his character seen BY the
worl1 was hts tenderness and consideration for his
| fellow men. In the heat OF political controversy
in the fierce competition OF trade and business,
there are few men who are always them
always watching with jealous care lest they pass
those BOUNDS which reason as well as religion has
set up to mark the charitable and perfect man Il
himself in his dealing and intercourse with men
and this with HIM was positive. ruling virtue. I,
OF enterprise and business qualities, or a want o.
personality in positive opinion and conviction. il
consderate Thought Of others. Individuai instan
ces are numerous where this trait Of his character
found illustration. he can be justly written dowI
as one who loved his fellow men.
Men, whether they think no, are in tn,
long run, consistent. They are sometimes consis
consiancy. This careful attention and considera.
ton of others naturally associated with it quiet
ness Of self assertion-and modesty of manner ant
deportment-and while he always occupied al
honorable, ana at times prominent place amoni
his fellow citizens it was entirely due to his ster
ling qualities rather than to anything like self as
sertiOn or self seeking. He was just and honora
BILE in all his dealings. and one may well think tina
| this was due, not 30 much because of the charac
ter he wished TO make and bear. "a to that othe
and higher consideration, his deliberate regard 70
one may lead to strict justice, it will never lead
deeds Of charity and tenderness His domestt
life and feelings were in perfect harmony with tn
Character ne bore in the sight Of the world
Thougnttu!neBs. tenderness. ANXIOUS concern 10
, the happiness and welfare of the members OF hi
own houee marked his home life. Our sister. tn
wife Of his youth, his manhood and his age, an
the children whom God had given them, wer
more to him than his own liie For them he lived
, moved and had his being. This was prOm1nentt
shown during his protracted and painful illness
When most would be pardunably occupied wit
"a was his, and the ccrtaihty of the end. we fin
him the same thoughtful, unselfsh husband al
hind, expressing his appreciation of The an
| watching he received at their hands. and desnin
!" ive until aiIst ans New ear nad come 70 nss
I that those who were dearer to him than his Ow
life might not be disturbed in the little pleasure
end festivities which ciuster about the holidays. o
there are few whose sell tmmulation is supreme
His q consistent life aud character. and go hi
life closes. He came among you half century sgt
. He goes to sleep among hundreds Of his acquaiI
4 taIces and friends, whom his kindly and gent
have hspsd . lay 70 rest IN h ina. an
! and he has left Il vacant. We shall not soon loo
upon his like. He gathered about hun those. wh
4 with him, made this spot an earthly Eden to hlI
and them. and he. their counsellor, guide and SUI
port, has left them stricken, bereaved and sorrow
l. | iup But he has left behind him most preciOu
y | name whose SAVIOR shall remain with US thrOut.
a ali the years of life To the God Of the widow an
the iatheress we can confidently intrust those
From these few characteristics, here presentet
+. 1 need hardly say all may gather moet importaI
and death. Is the man most self eacridcing, mo,
self forgetful. For whatever we may do for GU
e's he able to do for uthers IL but esempiies tn,
I which has already received Thousand illustration
that to be most successful we must not live to on
G selves alone.
LINES e..
: suggested by the death of JOHN GnLIs. revere
husband and father. --. -..
. MRS. HALL.
Though silent as the river deep.
/. The good their course pursue,
Their record holy angels keep,
In untried paths and new,
p Though clouds and Lempests Ger them lower
hand prOpitious lends its power
And when by death the good man falls,
We view the path he trod,
p And hear no sound the heart appalls
But anthems sent by God;
l., For this we know, the angels come,
To guide the wayworn traveller home.