The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-03-31
Death Of Ira Church.


Ira Church was born ia Genesee coun-
ty, New York, March 3lst, 1917. Three
years later, in 1920, with bis fater's fam
lily. he came TO what is now known ~
Harmony Twp, Forest Co., Pa, where
he grew to manhood. On February 7th,
1889, he was united in marriage to Phile-
ma Barnes, who preceded him to the
Glory World, June 9TH, 1864. On July
9th, 1865, he was again united in mar
riage to Matilda, daughter of Samuel
Dempsey, deceased, who being depressed
with age and physical infirmities. is now
left to mourn the loss OF kind and low
ing husband.
Besides the three children buried in
their youth there is to-day lett to mourn
the loss Of good. kind and atTectionate
father the following, viz: Charlotte, wife
of j. II. Wentworth, of Tionesta Twp;
Mary e., wife of Jacob ShafTer, of Kel-
lettville, Pa; Laura NJ, widow Of I. S.
Range deceased, of East Hickory; l.. II.
Church of East Hickory; Sarah E., wife
of W. J. Foreman, of East Hickory;
"ohANo hhFs vi Shh'tl ihlll AAuNbbNh Nsf
wife of j. Hall, Of Fleming Hill; John
c., of East Hickory, and Samuel c. of
the homestead. In addition TO the above
children, there are left behind % grand
children and IL great-grandchildren
Two brothers still survive, viz: c. II.
Church Esq, of East Hickory, and VIM.
Church residing i'm the state of Iowa.
With the exception of a very few years
his long and useful life was spent near
the place he died. Around his remains
are assembled those who as citizens have
learned to love and respect him for more
than forty years of his useful life, they
too 'weep with those who weep" After
suffering for more than four months, his
sufferings were ceased by the hand of
death, few moments past p. M, NJ arch
"a, 1897, his age being 70 years, IL months
and 24 days.
"Uncle Ira," so called by friends far
aud near, was worthy example of true
Amencanism, was among the first set
tiers on Church Hill. lie was converted
to God at the age of sixteen years and at
once became a useful member in the NJ.
Il. Church. Unlike many others he re-
mained faithful until death. The fixed
purposes in life were such as endeared
him to all with whom he came in contact,
the lessons he learned in the school of
Christ reflected forth the purity of the
soul as well as the harmony existing be-
tween him and a merciful God. He was
possessed with a wonderful power in
prayer, many of those seasons of earnest
supplications still ringing in the ears of
his neighbors. Physically he was
strong and very active man during the
greater part of his life. Being hard
working man, the accumulations of the
worlds goods were gathered by him in
the fields of honesty. What more could
be said of any man. During his last ILL
ness amidst the severe suffering of body
he often expressed desire to depart and
be with Christ, which was far better. lie
gave many instructions to his family to
be observed at his funeral as well as in
the future. He selected his own pail
bearers for the closing scenes on this side
of the final crossing. They were Elias
Albaugh, Chas. Albaugh, VIM. Albaugh,
j. Albaugh, w. A. Connely and VIM.
Cropp. Rev. j. e. Hillard of East Hick-
oIy was selected to minister comfort to
the bereaved on the Goth. at p. m, in
the presence of large and sad assembly.
Rev. Hillard made use of the scripture
as recorded by st. Matthew, Chap. "A,
verse "A, after which his body was con-
signed to the tomb in the Church Hill
Cemetery. a shadow has fallen across
not only the family Threshold but over
the entile community as we'll, whose
hearts go out in sympathy to the be-
reaved, and may the mantle of the noble
dead fall on us all and influence our lives
in the direction of heavenly things. J.A.