Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1883-1884, 1883-11-02
GONE 70 MEET THEIR MAKER.
Two Valued Pioneer Citizens
Cross the Dark River.
JOHN BLAIR wHIppEN.

JOHN BLAIR WHIDDEN.
With double force comes to us this
week the admonition t:.at the unerring
archer, commissioned with the work Of
death, is liable tO hurl his ruthless shaft
into our midst without warning, strik-
ing down the loved ones of our homes.
and that no age and no condition are
exempt-no, not for single hour-from
the liabilities of death. The demise of
J. B. Whidden, whose spirit passed to
that other bourne with the sinking sun
Monday evening, leaves a lamented gap
IN bright young family and saddens
the hearts OF q multitude Of friends.
One week ago he felt slightly indisposed,
morning he was in high malarial fever,
and to his attending physician the end
was apparent for he perceived that dis
ease was rapidly approaching the citadel
Of life-the brain. Three days of terri
ble suffering followed. and he passed
away as softly as the leaves on an au-
tumn eve drop to the earth beneath the
the gentle signs Of western wind; and he
died with christian 8 faith and christ
ian's hopes.
He was born at Antigonish, Nova
Scotia, Sept. 4, 1853. being 80 years old
at his death. For eight years past he
had lived in San Francisco, where he
met. WOoed, won and wed Miss May
Lever, who, with her bright little fifteen
months old boy. are called upon to
mourn the loss of husband and father
whose sterling worth can never he cal
culated. Mrs. Whidden's heart bleeds
not alone in this, her severe hour of
trial, for none knew the departed one
but to respect and love him. The strong
est Of sympathy from many souls goes
out for the living wife whose idol, whose
friends know how she, though brave
woman she be, must suffer, and how the
world must seem bleak, bare, desolate
and dreary. The light of her life; the
husband of her affection, whose strong,
noble character knew no sacrifice that
would be too great in his family's behalf,
is at peace forever. Never more can he
reach out those strong arms to that
prattling babe he loved so well; never
again can he return caress for caress to
a loving wife, for all is over. In the
agony Of woe that comes to the wife
there are many who deeply share the
bitter pangs of compassionate grief.
just six months ago the departed man
came to COOperStOWn and engaged as
junior partner with his brother, w. r.
Whidden, in a general mercantile busi-
ness, and prospects never bore for him
a ruddier hue than when he was taken
i'll. A prosperous trade and a nice little
home nearly ready to move into was all
that he could desire aside from the pos
session Of his family. During that six
months he has endeared himself to all
~ mn inn nf
ready to indorse harsh opinion of an
other; always unselfish; possessed of the
most scrupulous integrity and honesty;
never impatient; ever genial; extremely
asslduo9s; very generous, warm-hearted
and public-spirited, he was friend and
citizen to be priced. His loss to our
by that which his brother, his wife, lit
tie son and mother are forced to sustain
The funeral obsequies were conducted
by Mr.. Rockwell at 4:3O o'clock, We'd
nesday afternoon, at the Palace Hotel
parlors, and were attended very largely.
The services opened by the singing Of
that soul stirring hymn, Safe in the
Arms of Jesus" followed by prayer and
HomeWard from Every Shore, One by
One" Mr.. Rockwell chose no text, but
from scriptural standpoint answered
the questions always propounded to our
minds upon the death of a dear one,
namely: .'Where has he gomez" Chow
did he go?" s'Shall we see and recognize
him again?" The services closed with
the hymn, 1--WE shall sleep, but not for
ever," after which the friends were per-
mitted to take last look at John Wild
den. He was buried in metallic coffin,
so as to permit the removal of his re-
mains at some future day.