The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-09-29
Alexander Pic,kens,

Alexander Picixens,
An aged, estimable citizen OF franklin
{ ,wnship, was born in Belmont county,
Ohio, Aug 81. 1911. and died at his res.
ideoce near Sway, OHIO, September 81,
1885. being "a wears and 81 days old.
Mr.. Pickens' father came from CAM !.
b'eton, Scotland, and was one of pio.
neer settlers OF the new world. his first
residence being near Philadelphia 10
1890 while at Pittsburgh he bought land
in the territory Of Belmont county. on
Scotch Ridge. where he settled soon a.
ter. The old home farm is still In the
possession OF one Of his sons.
Bat little is Known, 10 the writer, OF
the early life of Mr.. Plckens, except as
g'eansd from "reminiscences related in
conversation. The impl pleasions are, how
ever, that he at one time lived far ont on
the frontier and was engaged in clean
ing forests and trailing with the Indians.
About middle life he purchased the
fern near Sway aud and his later life
has been spent In farming and raising
stock. His home and farm bore the ev.
idence of that thrift and industry which
made Mr.. Pickeus one Of the foremost
husbandmen of the community. His
fields and buildings, crops and fruits bore
that silent yet incontrovertible testimony
that neither welfare nor best interests OF
man and beast were forgotten.
The manner in which he cultivated hi.
crops and titled the soil showed that bis
knowledge of his vocation ives beyond
the average.
He was q man OF more than ordinary
intelligence and bis conversational pow.
ers Of q character unequalled nor sur.
passed He seemed possessed of tina,
happy faculty of making every one feel
at ease in his presence, which We think
is due in great measure, to we'll stored
mind and q close observation OF passing
evente. We never saw the time when
any subject was presented upon which
be could not converse with clear. concise
language often,imes taking,of into ave.
nues Of thought, not expected and pre-.
senting his convictions ia statements
often unanswerable. How often IN our
boyhood have we, when struggling with
something przz'ing, found q pleasant
teacher and instruction in our noble
f,iend.
AZ . citizen be always manifested an
interest in the management OF public at.
fairs and lent helping hand to ANYTHING
that affected the public welfare. Every
enterprise to build up the interests Of the
community he encouraged, and was al
ways on hand 10 help by word or kindly
advice. He was q fast friend Of the pub.
lie schools and always advanced the idea
OF higher standard OF education among
ell classes OF society. 1t was bis dtligtt
to attend any kind Of a literary perform
suce and hear young people speak, aud
seemed anxious that each one should
succeed we'll.
The eetima'e ia which he was held BY
the young men especially, was voiced in
an utterance from young man to the
writer during Mr.. Piakens' late illness.
He said "When Mr.. Pickens dies the
young men have lost one Of their best
.iriends. tell you, he was friend 10
the young men" No grander eulogy
could be pronounced at the bier OF any
man than to say be was lasting friend
to the rising men OF the future. He al.
ways bad something grand to tell the
bows ald that gave them an inspiration.
During long and lingering illness he
gave that evidence OF the higher life
wrought within 80 full Of comfort and
cheer to the hearts Of friends. No mur.
mur against fste-no repining o. his III.
ness-tis only care seemed to be that be
should be no burden upon his triende.
In conversation with bis pastor he gave
clear and conscious testimony OF bis
hope OF future life and said, call lie
veil. My trust is in Jesus"
A touching sermon was delivered by
Rev. A. W Gruber, q former pastor
from Rev. ii 10, "Be thou faithful unto
death and / will give thee crown Of
lite." He wss followed by r VS.. Ream
and William Danford who. spoke OF his
private life.
The last sacred rites a. The grave we're
p. rfo-med by the Masonic fraternity OF
~hic1 Mr P,ckens was q member. n.
hiss gone from am,ug us; We shall see
I I'm and face no more; shall hear his
friendly voice never again, for he sleeps
-he sleeps till grand triumphal mora.
ing.
His beloved wife, who cared for him so
tenderly during bis last illness, has the
sympathy OF the entire community and
the blest assurance OF happy reunion
in the everlasting kingdom OF the re-
deemed. T j II. TAGGARr.