The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-04-10
OBITUARY.
HEV. DERwIN ". SHAFTS


saturday night, April A, 1891. He had
been i'll of the grip and general prostra-
lion but was confined to his house only
TWO weeks, and he expressed expecta-
tons OF getting up again only two days
before his death. His low state was not
generally known and his death came
with startling suddenness upon commu-
nity in general.
The ife-work Of prominent char
acter in Shiawa. see county is closed
Large hearted, sympathetic, social to re,
markable degree. indulgent and tolerant
towards those whose religious belief diff.
fered from his own, Mr. STARTS possessed
wide popularity. 1t is difficult to fully
express the universal relation he has
sustained to the general public since his
retirement from pastoral charge In the
ministry, and the hold he had upon
popular feeling and affection. His field
of service was so widespread and so ac-
ceptably did he fit in on all occasions,
that he came to be characterized as
"minister at large" With large num-
Der of families throughout this county
Mr.. STARTS was the minister to solemnize
their marriages and bury their dead. He
| filed the want when regular ministers
were absent or otherwise unable to Of
| ficiate, and when ministerial services
were required by persons of no particu-
lar faith or religious connection, the
adaptability of Mr.. Shar,s to enter into
the spirit of JOY or with feeling words to
administer consolation to mourning
hearts, made his services. much sought.
1t was his great sympathy with other
hearts and humanity at large that made
his broad popularity, and his identified
ton of feeling with his fellow. beings,
whether in JOY or sorrow, that bound 10
him with strong chords OF a1ecuon MS
army of warm friends.
MANY tears will be shed in homes in
Shiawassee county, as his death recalls
the occasions on which Mr. STARTS has
mingled his sympathies with their gri-fs
in their hours of sorrow, or rejoiced with
them in their family festivities. Since
he closed his pastorate with the Con-
gregational church in this city in 1874,
he has solemnized 929 marriages. The
number of funerals at which he has of
ficiated in the time is not now at hand
during 1890 the number was Al.
Mr. STARTS was notably a friend to the
poor, relieving their necessities, aiding
them to obtain work, and visiting them
| in sickness and afiliction. His consoling
presence was found at the bedside of the
sick of whatever class, religious denomi-
nation, or worldly condition. He recog-
nized everywhere the great bond of hui
manity. During the past winter he
made his regular rounds of visits to the
sick, Notwithstanding his enfeebled
bodily condition. He was everybody's
friend, and the friends who will mourn
for him are numberless.
Also, Mr.. STARTS was public spirited
citizen. He look an active interest in
affairs of government, local and national
He twice represented the Second Dis.
trict of Shiawassee county in the Legis.
lature-1877 and lS79-and in home
matters he was particularly jealous for
what he deemed to be for the best inter
ests of society and for public veal.
June II, 1861. Mr.. STARTS was married
to Miss Julia Frances SAKE, daughter
of the late Judge SAKE of Clinton Co.,
New York. and cousin of the poet,
John G. SAKE. These two have walk
ed in loving companionship nearly
thirty years, and the separation is a
crushing blow TO the devoted vile now
left alone. Her lovely character and
Christian life have won the love of all
who know her, and friends are over
whelming in manifestations of sympathy
her great bereavement.
Mr. STARTS was administrator of the
estate of the late Mary S. Irwin, and his
last active work was in attending per-
sonally to the setting of the beautiful
: Irwin monument in Oakhill cemetery.
A short time previous to his death
Mr. STARTS made disposition Of his world
ly effects He gave his library to Alma
College, and a legacy to each of three
nakesakes. He leaves one sister (the
only remaining member of his fathers
! family who resides at Oxford, N Y. A
J cousin, Rev. Joseph w. Hubbard OF
, Mechanicsville, Iowa, was present at
the funeral Also, sister of Mrs. STARTS
from Niagara Falls.
The General Catalogue of the Auburn
IN. ~ Theological Seminary, from
which Mr.. STARTS graduated, chronicles
him as follows:
HON. DERwIN WELToN SHAFTS: Born in
| Oxford, N. ", Augustus 1880; united with the
second Cong. church in Hamilton, April, 1916
graduated from Madison University, In 1854
Hamilton Theo. Sem, 1s54-5; Auburn, 1867
married to Miss Julia Frances SAKE, atNiagara
Falls, June IL, 1861 ordained at Greenville,
n. Y, by Presbytery of Columbia, Sept, 1857
Pres; On Walden 1872 Cong: en- 6.o Madison u, son
Com, 1s64-5; Pres. Oh: Scion, o., 1868, and
Cong. CHI Chagrin Falls 1866; North Church,
Cleveland, Ohio, 1s6s-70; Cong Chs. Aurora
and Mantua 1s7O-7l Owosso, Mich, 1914, and
resident there since. Member Mich. Legisla-
tllre 1877 and 1872
The Legislative Manual for 1879 gives
the following sketch:
DERwIN w. SHAFTS, Representative of the
Second District Of shiawassee county, was
born in Oxford, Chenango county, N Y, Aug.
81, 1880. When he was four years old his par
ents moved into the vicinity Of Hamilton
N. Y, and In this valley Of the Chenango river
his time was passed, with the exception OF
four years, until he was thirtyfve years OF
age. Brought up ON farm, he was early in
ured to the tolls and industrious habits OF
farm life. Having taste for books, and being
diligent In study, he was enabled to teach q
winters school, commencing the term when
but a little over 10, the County Superintendent
In this case waving his rule not to give GER.
tifcate to any male applicant under 1eyears
of age. From that time forward, additional
to his agricul tural pursuits in the summer, he
united teaching with study. and graduated at
the age Of %, from Madison University, in
Eamilton, in which institution he was also n
tutor I'm the Latin language one year. In '57,
he completed 3-years course In theology,
graduating from the Auburn Theological