The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-05-26
wArCHEs q S Allison Son. Washington St CLOCKS
Memorial Services for J. H. Hartwell.


III. Hartwell, of Hartwellville, held un-
der the auspices of the Patriarchs Mill
tant of the l. o. o. F., in the Congrega-
tional church, Sunday, called out
considerable number of his old friends
and neighbors besides good represen-
tation of the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs
of this city who attended in body, the
Patriarchs Militant leading the way into
the church with their snowy plumes
and trappings, the subordinate lodges
Owosso and Colfax following in separ-
ate body and the Rebekahs bringing up
the rear. The memorial sermon was
preached by Rev. Geo. E. Grassland
and short address on the life of the
departed brother was delivered by
Judge Smith. The Congregational
choir furnished the music for the oc-
casion.
After the meeting had been begun by
singing, Rev. G. H. Hanks led in
prayer, being prevented from staying
and taking part in the services by the
necessity of officiating at the funeral
services for Mrs. Merell which took
place at the same hour.
Mr.. Grassland took the lesson for the
service from the eleventh chapter of
John and the fourth of the Ephesians,
and from the oft quoted and ever full of
meaning text, Jesus wept," preached
a sermon of considerable length on the
theme of sympathy" Near the close
of his sermon he took occasion to say
that while himself ignorant of signs
and passwords, he could only honor
the principles which the order before
him professed. Faith, Love, and Charity
were things which in themselves point
ed toward the Christian life.
Judge Smith in beginning his address
which occupied but little over quarter
of an hour, disclaimed the ability to do
justice to the memory of Mr.. Hart
well. The words which he spoke,
however, were full of sincerest praise.
When child Mr.. Hartwell had been
brought to Michigan by his parents
who settled in what was then Benning-
ton and part of Livingston county,
but which is now Shiawassee township.
That was two years after the admission
of Michigan as state, and the family
was fairly in the midst of the forest
primeval which abounded in BEAR wolf,
and deer The schooling of the lad
was limited to the district schools, but
he had been long a we'll informed read
er who had become broadly educated
from his own study and investigation.
In fact it often seemed that the pioneers
received an education which especially
fitted them for the work of establishing
new governments Their very environ
ment seemed to prepare them for equal
ly arduous duties of inaugurating
town, county and state governments
From an intimate acquaintance of
over twenty years he could say that Mr..
Hartwell was strictly honest for hon
esty's sake alone and charitable because
it was in his very nature to be so. His
only fear was of being misunderstood
and misjudged by those who would
think that he was doing good for pol
icy's sake. He literally followed out
the precept of not letting his left hand
know what his right hand did. 1t was
through this same fear of being mis-
judged that Mr. Hartwell preferred not
to join church, though the Judge as
sured his hearers that he knew him to
be of truly deep religious nature. In
the safety and security of the lodge
room, however, he felt that his convic-
tions were safe and he was not afraid
to discuss his views.
He never sought any positions of trust
but was more than once placed in such
position by his neighbors.
He loved nature, and loved the farm
which had been made what it was
largely through his efforts Every
stone on it had its significance to him
and it was a touching thought, and yet
a natural and fitting action on his part
the turning around TO look at the old
place the last time he came away, and
saying pathetically, "Good bye old
farm, shall never see you again"
In ancient Egypt there was custom
of trying man after death to determine
whether he was entitled to burial Of
not. If his life had been we'll lived anC
no accusers appeared before the judge
coin was taken to pay the dead man
fare to the other side and he was givel
a fitting burial j. ii. Hartwell ha
already passed to the other side; tn
verdict of approval has long since beef
given. His life was worthy of it.