Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-10-21
JOHN ELY GHAaPLIN.

JOHN ELY CHAMPLIN.
John Ely Champlin was born Nov. 9,
1873, in Wyoming, Iowa, where he spent
happy childhood. Entering the public
school in his sixth year, he attended I'M
ill the spring of 1885. when he came with
his parents to Howard county, at which
time the family settled on farm in AL.
bion township.
In Dec. 81, the family moved to Ores.
co, where he entered the public school as
member Of the class of '96, remaining
term of 1894, when he left the school to
he entered the employ of VIM. Kellow,
1898, when he responded to the call of
President Mckinley for volunteers to
serve in the war with Spain. He left
home on the night train, June Both, and
the next day was mustered into the U.
S.lservice at Dubuque and was assigned
to 90. I, 49th Ia, Regt. and went imme-
diately to Jacksonville, Fla, where he
remained with the regiment until strick.
en- with typhoid fever about Oct. I'd. He
was taken to the hospital of the I'd dlvis.
ion where he received the best care that
could be furnished, but he sank rapidly
and expired Wednesday evening, Oct. IL,
1898, at $50 o'clock, being "a years, IL
months and 8 days of age.
The remains reached Cresco Monday
morning Oct. 18th, accompanied by pri-
vate f. G. Brooks, and we're met at the
train and escorted to his fathers home
by the G. A. r. and Sons of Veterans.
His last words to his comrade Fred
Brooks, were those of encouragement for
the loved ones at home: "Tell them not
to worry about me-"
John was always kind, affectionate,
conscientious boy, unusually considerate
OF the comfort of others, and favorite
with old and young.
He was consecrated to God in his in
fancy by his parents and baptized by
Rev. A. K. Baird, pastor of the Presbyte-
rian church at Wyoming Ia, and as he
grew up he recognized his relation to
God as His child. His perception of
what was right and consistent in chris
ton living was very keen, and while he
saw faults in his fellow men he was con-
scious of his own, and not inclined to be
severe in oriticlsing others. He did not
trust in his own righteousness, but ex-
pressed in the most positive terms his
faith in Christ alone, both in converse.
ton with friends and in letters written
before and since his enlistment. The
testimony Of his comrades is that John
lived pure life. He died as true sol
der dies, at his post of duty and never
complaining.
He has answered the last roll call Fol
him the bugle sounds "taps" and no re-
villes can wake him again to earthly COD
f1ict. He is cut off in his young manhood
but his life is complete, being hid with
Christ in God.
His mother preceded him but eight
short months ago, and their mortal re-
mains will rest side by side in beautiful
Oak Lawn.
He leaves father, brothers, sisters ane
her who was dearest to him, to mourn
his untimely death.
4 Funeral services were held at the M
E. Church, Monday afternoon at 2 O'CLOCK
and, though the rain poured down il
torrents, the church was literally packed
with people, friends OF the deceased
The G. A. r. and Sons of Veterans, Johr
Champlin being, in life, Captain of the
latter organization, escorted the RENAME
from the family home to the church, anG
Corporal johnson and privates FREQ
Brooks and Jas Graham, Of present arm,
as guard Of honor. The casket was pla
ced in front Of the pulpit and was GOV
cred with howers-banks of white lilies
on one of which were the words "mue
tered out" surrounded by beautiful dec
orations Of flowers, flags and bunting
all testifying that loving hearts and will
ing hands had been at work. Rev
Shaffer conducted the services. Rex
Lane read the scripture lesson. and Rev
Holmes offered up prayer full OF pa
thos, Of loving appeal, that melted al
| hearts. Miss Whitney and Mrs. E
White rendered beautiful daet and tn
choir, Miss Whitney, Mrs White, Jaco
Welsh and A. D. Patterson rendered
most appropriate music, solo by Rex
Shaffer, each verse being followed BY
chorus by the choir, being PARTICULAR,
touching and beautiful. All the song
OF the service were fRyorites of deceased
Miss Mile gilbert presided at tn
organ.
Rev. ShaHer's sermon was Just VIVA
the occasion demanded. He spoke O
the patriotism and love of country the
prompted John Champlin to enlist, of hi
leaving all that makes life worth livin
in response to what he believed was til
stern call Of duty. of the temptations c
camp life, its sacrifices and determine
repression, and then loving words to tn
bereaved ones, and glowing tribute t
the noble life, the pure heart that ha
ceased to throb in unison with theirs
The closing services were by Revs. Ian
J Hend ricks and Shaffer. He was the
; laid to rest beside his neither in Ga
Lawn-John Mcintosh, Edward Thoma
.. B. B. Brooks, Arthur White, Frank Dar
bersmith and q. HolYerson pail bearerl
A character like John Champlln'
founded on the solid rock of principle
. is in fact, not the solitary phenomenon
to be at once perceived, limited and del
cribed. 1t ID designed by Providence
have not merely an immediate, but col
tinuous and never ending agency fc
!. good. 1t survives the man who possess
es it, survives his associations, lives
veritable heritage of power, usefulnes
and strength.
John Champlin gave promise of bein
an unusually good and useful citizen.-
The purity of his life both at home an
in camp, gave him the respect and conf