The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1888-06-21
arcbed in dazzling spIendor on every

DercneQ IN udLLllnS oPlVhNNA N'NAJ
brow.
army disbanded, he adopted Ine pan
Horace Greedy afterWard advanced, ana
e%migrated to the west, landlng im Seark
county on the 9Th day OF May 1915, ana
located as stated before. Where ne Ie-
sided until his death, which occurred on
the 18th day Of March, 1852, bringing
his age up to 81 years, 2 months anu -
DAYS, leaving a devoted wife and family
Of six ons and six daughters, all COIL
fortably settled in life.
UThe last survivor, aged today so years,
/ month and Z days, is with us on this
occasion. The finger of time rests
heavily on her shoulders, yet we hope
that her days may be prolonged and
full of pleasure, and that her presence
at these reunions may be marked with
the distinction she is entitled to. She
is the central figure in the dramatically.
Then let us make her presence with us
this day one of the happiest periods of
her eVentful life. And if there is n
in this assembly today that claims rela-
tionship with the family, that will neg
lect to take her kindly and gently by the
hand and feel the blood of Simon Essig
and his devoted wife still %pulsating
through her veins, he is unworthy OF
the name and fellowship he claims.
And now, dear aunt Becca, it | may
be permitted to address you by that
name. what shall | say to you at this
important period OF your hfeF GU are
all that is left OF the noble family that
stands at the head of our escutcheor.
We are all glad to see you with us III
the full enjoyment OF life. we all de-
light to honor you as our most dlstln-
guished guest. But the wear OF tlme
has wrought deep scars upon your
cheeks ono radient III youth. Inose
silyered locks that once i'll golden ring
let's curled upon those careWorn shoul-
ders, are sure premonltors OF Qecnnlng
age, your step, once blithe II nlm0le,
has grown uncertain, and the totterlng
form now bending under the weight OF
many years, has lost much OF Its vital
force. But be Of good cheer. Let no
Responding thoughts prevail, and bar
thee from the pleasures OF life. The
hoary frosts upon thy furrowed brow,
are rich diadems OF glory. and comedy
as the bloom of youth. You can well
remember when you were yet young
and full OF life and vivacity. When
many of those here today were little
tiaxen-haired girls and boys-full of
innocence and mischief-but are now
also SCARED with the decay Of time.
You can also remember when you was
a sprightly damsel tripping lightly by
your mothers side, and in your leisure
moments caress and smooth her auburn
locks, and plant sweet kisses on her yet
rosy cheeks, and when your aged father
could no longer look upon the genial
faces of those most dear to him, but
was obliged to grope his way with
sightless eyes, and life had become a
burden to him.
We are all fast fastening to that goal
where we will interchange our last fare,
wells, and who Can tell which IN will
be the next one called. 1t may bottle
one we least expect, and, who is with
us OH this occasion, full of life and
gayety.
There was but one Simon Essig, and
it will be a long time before another
like him will rise up and occupy a place
in the hearts of his descendants as he
did. His name stands enrolled in the
history that lifted this nation from the
depths of savagery to freedoms cloud
less heighths. He stood at the summit
of his usefulness like some great noun
tain peak, firmly grounded i'll his convic-
tions that honesty is the oak around
which all other virtues cling. And
when he had passed the zenith of his
glory and reached his journeys end, he
calmly resigned his spirit to him who
gave it, and we are here today, assem-
bled in annual reunion, almost in sight
Of the old homestead to pay tribute to
his worth and works. l don't believe
that there is a true descendant of the
worthy ancestry today but who feels
as if they would like to stand at their
graves and plant flowers there and
water them with fraternal tears.
When death has set the mark of its
great peace on the face of a
friend, all is forgotten save the
hands stilled and waxen had once
given fraternal clasp, that the silent
heart had pulsated in fellowship, and
the lips spoken words of cheer. Let
faults be forgotten. Give them to the
tomb, Bury them under the wreathe.
Let5tlmory have the best, Peace be
with aim, and solace to those he loved.
He battled for length of days when his
sight was denied him. He CROPPED his
way in the darkness, and asked
himself why this is so. In his
home he found the joys
of living. There was the central fount
of his ambition. He was grounded in
the belief that even the sepulchre could
not bar friend from communion with
friend. Perhaps he was right; and per-
haps from his outer sphere he looks
down to wonder at the tears flowing
that he has gone to that greater light
for which he stroye. Grief cries out to
know why. There is never an answer.