The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-02-03
Fro~ tAs Canton (NaJ Pres.
IN MRMORUaM.

Died, at his home. In Canton, No., af O'clock. n
m, January 10th, 1881. John Stafford Pemberton.
He was born at Frankfort. Ky-. ON the asth of Ju-
~ l6o- and was. at the time Of his death. So wears
and 81 months old. His remains were inferred, on
the day after his DEATH at Monticello, where only
wanting few months of forty years ago. be saw
and where have since been laid, side by side little
brother, and five loved and loving sisters His aged
and yenerated mother, whcse earthly stay and com
fort ne was, and three sisters survive him.
He came, with his parents, to Missouri carly in
1S, and settled at Monticello where he grew M 10
manhood In is41, he was married to the eldest
daughter Of the late Judge Ellis, who, with three
children, daughter and two sons, live to mourn
their irrcparable loss.
Growing up. as he did, in thi. community, and
known to almost every old resident there Is little
need OF reciting the noble characteristics Of his na
tnre or of rehearsng the qualities of that manhood
that compelled the respect and confidence of ALL and
intimate association.
His earlier and large part of his mature life was
passed amongst the hardy pioneers of California
colorado, and Montana, and he loved their Open
hearty manners, their ungrudged hospitality and
unfailing kindness Il doubtless their early a.
sociations that taught him TO yalue men. moi bv
their exterior polish their learning or their
but by their manhood clothed, though it might be-
IN rags lie Possessed, in n remarkable degree the
faculty Of judging men with whom he came in con
tact, and seemed to look into mems Characters with
almost infuitive perception. His conclusions were
quickly made, and seldom erroneous This uuality
doubtless, sometimes led him into error but never
into injustice. He could be guarded and cautious.
without being unjust. But he hated shaHs and his
he made no effort to conceal either.
He was, rs IL generally known, q successful bust
ness man, and from poverty rose, by his own exer-
tons to ample competence. He doubtless felt lust
pride IN this but much greater in the fact thar he
could conscientiously declare as he did in letter 10
the writer; only a few months ago, that mot one
dishonest dollar had ever soled his hand- Not one
human being can truthfully assert the contrary He
seemed to place value on money exactly in proper
tion to the happiness he could confer with it, on
those dear to him. To who knew his liberality
in this regard, amounting, it sometimes seemed to
profusion-almOst to extrayagance-his success was
aProolem. ms heart was a perennial fountain of
generosity and his hand was always open to assist
prudence.
This humble tribute to his memory, with the ad-
yanfages and inspiration Of lifelong friendship,
dating back to days of boyish confidence and contin
uing with little interruption until the rosts of winter
were settling us both, will be deemed incomplete
and unsatisfactory if no alluson is made TO the more
important subject of his belief and his hopes re-
gardfng the great Beyond, whose solemn mysteries
he has been called to solve On this subject there
is no need of concealment of doubt. that he be-
heved fully and entirely in his accountability for the
deeds done in the body not doubt need be felt.
He had profound regard, too, for genuine Christ
ianity, as taught to the Woman of Samaria and for
all who, in his mind, were its legitimate and worthy
exemplars. But his creed short. He believed
IN works, not words-in practices, not professions
He thought the best way to get a blessing was not
to mpore it, but TO deserve it-that preaching is not
religion, nor kneeling prayer but that good mans
II was our mutual good fortune, many years ago,
while living In wat Is the State of Kansas now, to
live rs neighbor and FRIEND and to be associated
TO some extent in business, with Presbyterian min
ister, then a missionary among the Indians and who
still lives to honor his calling and adorn his race
Our deceased friend always regarded him
what Christian should be, as human nature could
approach and has often very often said to me- that
the life of this excellent man was n stronger aryu-
ment in favor Of the truth of Christianity than all
all he
preached: His plain but ample creed became n set
tied conviction, and was the governing influence of
his life, and though he was doubtless often, very
often convinced that he ''was not what he ought 10
De- rs expressed on one occasion. to Of his most
valued friends, he came to il than many 9TH
ers Of greater professions OF this let only omnipo
Althoug line specimen of physical manhood, his
constitution was never robust, and he came home
very feeble, and evidently failing, under disease of
long standing. With every advantage that science
could command, and every assistance and attention
that devoted affection could supply, in full posses
sion, it seemed. of every blessing that could make
life desirable, the rreyocabe decree of nature could
not be stayed and he passed rapidly away, on his
waters no returning sail cast shadow. The
manly form is VANISHED, and the noble heart il
stiIed The cheerful morning greeting is heard no
more. the warm hand has lost its pressure, and the
eye that spoke only love is dimmed foreveri Even
the wailing cry of his child, "Dear papa we can't
nv e inn without yon brings from the poor dumb lips
BILE come where thou wilt; but oh how appalling,
when thou enterest the sacred precincts of the fam
ily and raisest thy fatal dart so high
Husband-f father- brother-s0n, and faithful
friend-Farewell!
Spirit! thy labor is o'er
Thy term Of probation is run
Thy steps are now bound for the untrodden shore
Spirit look not the strife
Or the pleasure Of earth with regret.
Pause not on the threshold Of imitless life,
To mourn for the day that Is SET