Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1889-09-14
Oico

for several weeks, died on Saturday last.
18th inst, at ESQ p. M, aged 78 year S
and days.
He was long known and esteemed az
an honored citizen of the town. Early
in life he followed, with his brother
James, the hating business-they were
hatteIs by tlade-atterWards the green
grocery business. Then he " rs clerk of
the Board of Supervisors for one year,
and later, he was magistrate for two
terms, or years in the town, aud was
familiariy knt Al as the sold SQUIRE
This position he filled with crf lit to
himself and honor to the community.
One of the prominent men at the Bar,
and OF the state of West Virginia has
said, that for four years of his nagis-
tracy, the court never reversed one OF
his decisions In the community, as
citizen, he was conservative-conciliat-
ing in his even nature. Between right
and wrong he was ever found only to
denounce wrong. He would not involve
principle. Yet his bias was for peace
when it was consistent and right. In
the home he was good, loving, kind
and faithful husband and father, always
the same; grieved at the wrongs and
mistakes of any of his household. His
reproofs were clear and strong, but
kindly rendered even when the rod had
to be applied. For more than go years
he was a consistent member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He was
alover and defender of Methodism while
but boy, even before he united with
the despised people called Methodists.
he knew when it was common for
Methodists, because of their doctrine
and class-meeting faithfulness, to be
denornced from the pulpits of other de-
nominations, and more than one minis
ed Cor his folly. About So years ago he
organized the LIST M. E. Sunday School
in Martinsburg. Was its first superin-
tendent for many years He was the
first TO agitate collection in the Sun
day School for foreign missions, and
provided a box to That end. He re-
manned a mem ,r of the Sunday School
until he died, and was regularly in his
place to teach his class, and no one is
or will be more missed than he. He
has been class leader, steward and trus-
tee, and in all his life-work for the
church he was faith. Ill and acceptable.
He was amember of the Board of Trus-
tees of the church when he died, and
assistant leader of the PASTORS class.
His end was what might have been ex-
pected from such faithful career-a
glorious departures triumphant passage
from this to the better land. On the
records of the church will go down to
the promising future, William III. Math-
ews, died the death of the righteous.
At 1e old no nestead, Spring bid.
The place of his birth, ABOUT 60 years OF
age, George Boyd Harlal.
Born of christian family, he was
re ised from his childhood in the church,
ard ut very eayly age he evinced those
christian characteristics and distiu-
gu.>bi0g traits which gave him such
pc 'ence up to bis death and which
q. CIV to him admirirg a1d devoted
friends. His great respect for all, his
genial and Fascinating manners and
couitly bearing made him universally
popular. Those who knew him b'st
can testify to the ag eeable impressions
LIS manly demeanor had upon them.
j he deceased at the time of his death
was an Elder in the Falling Waters
Church for many years. His father and
his uncle occupie. the same relation to
the church. The subject OF this
briet memoir, raised under the
ch, isCian influences and pious teach
ings of his family, peculiarly fitted him
For the Office OF Elder. That he was
faithful to the end all will attest. His
standing in the church the love which
lie entire congregation bore him the
respect aud deHereuce with which he
was treated by all, showed in what es-
timation he was beld. He was the main
pillar, Indeed the yeiy corner stone of
the Falling Waters Church; and his
death leaves a void in the church that
will not soon be filled. The writer of
this brief sketch and tribute to his
memory, knew the deceased for well
nigh half century, and can well res
me nber him IS small boy aud school,
mate, and beals witness to the many
noble traits OF his character shown at
that early period, ald which gave such
impress and prominence in his after
life. the tears of those who gathered
around his coffin, to view for the last
time the face of their beloved friend,
showed in what estimation he was held
by all. He was an active member OF
the Sunday School in his church, and
always at bis post of duty. He taught
the Bible Glass and Wien necessary
expodnded and expla ned to his class. as
he knew them, passages in the Bible
that seemed obscure. Who now will
take his place and enter upon its duties
with the zeal aud love that were so re-
markable with him. The genial AMI
pleasant smile, the hearty She . of the
hand, aud the welco ne that he extend
ed to all, will greet US no more.
His seat is vacant, and the ona that
occupied it with bis dear babv, has pass.
ed from earth to his etelral nome. To
his beloved iatnily, who watched with
so much solicitat.on aud love around
ais dying bed, we can only refer for
real consolation to that Savior who
died that we might live.
The post Office authorities of the