The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-12-24
DEATH PALSIES
THE HAND EVER HELD OUT TO
THE DESERVING.
Paul Field, One of the Best Known
Men In the County, Passes Away
Sunday Morning - A Generous
and Estee m ID Citizen,

over the city Sunday morning that this
genial, open. hearted man was no more and
many hearts were saddened. Perhaps no
other citizen was better known, surely
none better loved and respected. For his
every action spoke eloquently OF his
earnest sympathy for mankind and many
weary spirit has been made happy by
coming in contact with his bright and
cheerful personality.
For the past few months. he was con-
fined to his home In Lawrence avenue.
The physicians called 1t heart trouble and
IL was indeed heavy heart that beat In
his tumultuous breast. His life was
spotless but lack of rigid business meth
DDS, SO important In. this age Of grasp
and greed, involved him In financial
troubles, which preyed upon his vitality
and he was borne dcwn to the grave. His
condition was seemingly improved In
the last few days and there was some hope
for, at least, short prolongation of his
life, but Sunday morning he complained
Of q terrible gnawing at his heart, and
suddenly called his family to bis side.
They suspected the approaching end, and
attic m pied to assist the stricken man, but
he waved them aside, and said "Let me
die, >" and with these words, passed quiet
ly and peacefully into the great unknown
world
Paul Field was born In Akron, Ohio,
January 4, 1S42. He was the third
Of seven children, and his early education
was completed in the public schools Of
his native town. He then accepJed po-
sition as clerk in the Perkins Touring
mills, and left that position to shoulder
a musket In defense Of the Union. He
Joined Company II, of the 104th o. v. l.,
and with his regiment fought in many
of the great battles of the civil war. He
remained true blue to his oountry's flag
until the battle of Appomattox, and was
discharged at Greensboro, N. o., June II,
1865 and later mustered out at Cleve-
land. He then returned to Akron, where,
on October 10, 1865, he was Joined in
wedl"ok to Miss Fldelia MoConnaugb, and
one daughter, Dora, blessed their union.
His loyalty to the old mill again caused
him TO accept a position there, as en-
gineer, and he remained there until ap-
pointed an engineer In the Akron fire de-
partment. He left the department of the
Summit City to take similar position in
the Canton fire department., and for ten
years he ran with the old machine" in
this city. He then became rep orter on
the Repository, and later filed the posi-
tion of shipping clerk at the Diebcld Safe
& Lock Co. In 1883 he was appointed
secretary of the water works, which
position he held until year ago, when
he formed co-pt rSneiship with ex-
Secretary of the Water Works l.. h.
Ohliger, and with him has since carried
on general plumbing business.
During his residence in this city he
was twice elected to the city council, was
a member Of the board Of education from
the seventh ward, and served as water
works trustee for several terms In each
position he was known as a conscientious
worker with the welfare of the public,
whom he served, always uppermost in his
mind.
In many respects, Paul Field lowered
far above the ordinary Individual. In
politics, he achieved no great distinction,
and his name does not appear among the
list of those who have amassed fabulous
wealth. But in his breast there was a
heart that bsat in sympathy with all the
world. No living thing knocked at the
door Of his compassion without receiving
the aims of his generosity. His mind
was active and upon the black board of his
memory was written in figures OF fire all
the events of his most eventful life. And
who of all we know could, with such con-
summate versatility, paint upon the can
vass of our imagination such glowing
pictures of experience as could this man
now cold In deathY Many homes
throughout the city were frightened by
his muniacence. Little children sent
forth in the last extremity of poverty to
solicit aid for their disease stricken
parents, returned home laden with all the
necessaries Of life, after visiting Paul
Field. During the years he held the
position OF secretary of the water works,
he frequently visited the nearby mayors
court room to listen to the proceedings
before that official. Many times some
unfortunate wretch, arrested for COM
mitting petty crime, would tell the
story of his downfall, and he would be
released to go his way. And then 1t was
that action followed fast upon opportunity
and few bright dollars would find their
way into the pockets of the oheerless
criminal, while the little hite-haired
man went back to his work feeling, no
doubt, that he had but performed sim
pie, natural act of humanity. A volume
could be written of the many charitable
deeds performed by him. His gifts were
not known to the public, but In his quiet,
unosteI titious way he gave with a lavish
hand to the deserving poor.
He has gone from among us. His
brilliant wit will no longer chase d all
care away and his wealth Of story and
unwritten lore will be buried with him.
Peace to his ashes He will be missed
from the walks of msp, but perhaps, "In
tho hereafter angels may roll the stone
Fran, HE tomb axuav -