The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-03
OBlTUAR ".
Merrill stanton.


On Wednesday night, February 23d,
Merrill Stanton, a well known farmer
residing in the northern part of Streets
boro township, died very suddenly of
heart disease. During the day he was
in the woods chopping and feeling as
we'll as usual Friends called in the
afternoon making visit, and he ac-
companied them to the residence of
George Blake, a near neighbor, in the
evening, to attend a party. He had
not danced for many years. Just rs
he had concluded dancing the first
figure, without warning, and in the
midst of pleasure, social enjoyment
and scores of friends, he dropped dead.
So many hearts were never before
changed so suddenly from happiness
to sadness. In the spring time a fence
may be the dividing line between
warm sudshine on one side and drifted
icy snow upon the other. Here only
one dreadful momentsspell from sweet
life to cold death-from joy uncOnfined
to grief unfathOmed.
He was born in Chester, Hamilton
county, Massachusetts,, January l3,
1920. He came with his father and
family to Ohio in 1881, and settled on
the farm which has been his home for
many years past. He was married
to Amelia Avery January 1, 1S46, with
whom he lived happily the balance of
his life. He also leaves three children,
Emma, Herbert and Arthur, who deep
ly mourn the sudden loss of good,
kind father.
The funeral ceremonies were held at
his residence Oh Saturday, February
26, and were attended by the largest
gathering of friends and acquaintances
witnessed in that township for many
years. His remains were deposited in
the vault in the Olin cemetery.
What shall we say? This world has
lost great, good man. Those who
knew him best have lost much more.
The cold world may not appreciate his
but those who knew him will
never know his like again. He was
kind, amiable and above all, a man of
strict integrity. How man dies may
show his physical weakness, but how
ne has lived will prove his moral
worth. There are flowers which only
yield their fragrance to the night, the
ruly good are only fully appreciated
lfter death. The good die first, and
hey whose life is worthless burn to
he socket. Death did not strike Adam,
he first sinful man, nor Cain, the
irst hypocrite, but Abel. the innocent
md righteous.
'crat. He was sincere in everything.
He believed that the salvation of the
masses of the people was with the .
party as opposed to corpo-
ations, monopolies and the money
,ower. With the democratic party
vas power with the people, with their
opponents it was power in spite of the
,eople. In religion he was not secta- {
ian. He was not a pretender in any
ense. Hypocrisy did not dwell with
lin. He never wore u cloak of dis
,uise. He was not what is agreeably
ermed professor of religion, but he
vas unswervingly 9 practitioner of the r
1olden Rule. That is true religion,
Without professions" or "preten- 7
ions" He had no fear of the future ,
With his present and past. Socially he
vas a warm friend. He had familiar
way of greeting his visitors and friends
t his home that none will ever forget
nd all felt they We're welcome. $
Joining in sight of his house was like d
II invitation to call. He was not I
elflsh. He did not try to get public
otoriety. He was not vain, assuming l
D lead. He had no desire to govern
r dictate to others. He was not like
hose little men who have an inordi-
ate desire for Office, place of trust or
peal preferment. He was plain,
ind, good, unselfish, honest man.
'Tis sad indeed to part with thee.
Embodiment of love and purity, 4
Thy memory fresh will ever be
With us throug gh all eternity.
Com.