The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-09-03

lives Of many people are happier and the
world better because of Cyrus collars life.
Death, says German philosopher,
spares neither the rose nor the thistle, nor
does he forget the solitary blade Of grass
In the distant waste. He brushes to dust,
plants and beasts, men and their works.
Even the Egyptian pyramids are trophies
Of his power. To the monarch upon the
throne, as the beggar at the palace gates !;
to the statesman crowned with honors
as TO the lowliest of his countrymen; to
the scholar, the scientist and the sage as
to the unlettered serf to the rich and
powerful as to the poor and the oppressed; I;
to all classes and conditions Of men there
is this common event In respect to which
no man hath any advantage of his fellows,
and which none may hope to escape by
postponement to day certain or in
definitely. It is always an unweloome
guest, and 1t comes usually when we
gives way to the shadows Of tomorrow.
The joys of the present are supplanted by
the sorrows of the future This is the
mysterious lesson of life and death, of time
and eternity.
Cyrus collars was born in Harrison
county, Ohio, while James Madison was
yet president of the United States. His
ancestors on both sides were of German
origin and some of them were soldiers In
the Revolutionary war. His parents,
John and Frances collars, emigrated to
Harrison county from Washington county
Pa. in the year 1916. Cyrus was the fifth
in family of ten children, of which
seven were boys and three were girls.
The collars family were noted for their
longevity, and 1t is doubtful II they are
riyalled in Ohio or in the country in this
respect. Think Of family of seven chill
dren whose ages, six years ago, aggregated
scr years, or an average age OF over 70.
They were like that many sturdy
oaks in a primeval forest that withs ood
the storms and blasts for nearly CEN
tury. Four of them celebrated their gol-
den weddings and some Of them were
within very few years Of their diamond
wedding anniversary when they were
summoned by the great Commander to
answer roll-c in the other world. Are
we irreverent, then, when we say that
God, in his infinite wisdom, allowed this
remarkable family, noted for their gener-
osity, courage, humanity, patriotism,
chivalry and honesty, to remain longer
upon earth than probably any Others of
his children, because He knew that they
lived for the benefit of their fellow man
and all the good that they could do.
SIN tine year 1885 he removed with his
parents to farm four miles south of
Canton. Stark county was not the
earthly paradise then, that 1t is now.
There were less people then scattered
over its $40 miles of area than there are
today between the two branches of the
Nimishillen in Canton. Stark county
was then bowling wilderness, and the
man whose memory we commemorate to.
day was one of our forefsthers who sought
to reclaim it from the savagery of nature.
He belonged to thai class Of pioneers
whose physical bravery knew no fear and
whose moral heroism was sublime.
"In 1S42, at 26, he found the crowning
blessing of his life in the affectionate de.
votion and genial companionship Of his
loving wife. She was faithful to every
obligation and cheerful in the disoarge of
every duty that affection, humanity or
religion could impose. Her tender SYM
pathies supported him in the dark hours
of sorrow and her loving oountenanoe,
that was always by his side during his last
hours on earth, was to him like gleam
of sunshine piercing its way through
beclouded sky.
"To speak Of him in any manner calls
forth the pleasant memories of eleven
years ago. when I first came to this
county. BY him and through him the
struggle in life was made easy for me.
He impressed me as man wholly free
from guile. A strong friendship grew up
between us, and often sought his society
and derived from it great satisfaction and
men l ever met. 1 remember upon one oc-
casion, we drove to town. He always had
certain place on the public square to tie
his horse. The streets were crowded that
day with vehicles, and / suggested that
we tie the horse away from the public
square, wherever vacant spot could be
found. His answer was, Better drive
up to the place where 1 always tie
There are some parties here who always
use my buggy when am in town, and II
you tie down here, they will not be able
to find it. Kindnessl Where can another
parallel case Of such unstinted generosity
be foundP
"That he had no errors l will not say
But he was always ready to admit them.
Who that lives ID exempt from frailtyS
But let it be remembered, that the grave
buries every error, covers every defect,
extinguishes every resentment, ard from
it's peaceful bosom spring none but fond
regrets and tender reoolleotions. One OF
his most frequent errors, II such, indeed,
1t can be called, was to err on the side of
mercy as against Justice, and that is a
good side to err on. This poor human