The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-10-02
Kittanning Tribune.

hlIIdulllllS IIlOuue.
Rev. William Craft Davis, pastor Of the
Methodist Episcopal church, Kittanning Pa,
after little more than one week Of suffering
of the most eXcruciating character from
that dread disease, typhoid fever, passed
from time to eternity at his home on North
Mexican street on Sunday morning last.
September p, 1902, at the very early hour Of
1?.15 O'Clock, surrounded by his family and
friends. The solemn event came not unan-
ticipated, as his physicians, Drs Monks,
Allison and Deemer, ere Saturdays sun had
gone down beneath the western horizon,
had given out the sad and unwelcOme prog
nostication that his dissolution i'll the imme
diate future was inevitable; yet its coming
was veritable shock to the whole people of
the town and the entire community.
The deceased, who had been granted a
vacation of four weeks duration by his con-
gregation, Went in company with his wife
and little daughter Marguerite, to Atlantic
City ON the 18th of August, where they re-
manned for two weeks, and then, after spend
ing some two or three days in Washington,
D. c., on their return trip, proceeded to his
old home at Oakland, MARYLAND, where they
spent the residue of his vacation with his
father and mother and among his old neigh
bors and friends. They arrived at their
home on Thursday, the 18th inst, and Rev.
Davis was attacked by that insidious dis
ease typhoid fever, the following day. 1t
was of that virulent type which invariably
attacks the brain of its victim, in conse-
quence of which the beloved pastor and our
friend was delirious almost from the first,
and until the relentless monster, Death, said
to always love shining mark, a little more
than a week later relieved him of his suffer
ings.
Rev. Davis was born on farm, near to
Oakland, Md, on the 3lst day of March, 1862,
and was, therefore, at the time of his demise
40 years, five months and 20 days old. He
was a son of Rev. John NJ. Davis, of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and Mrs. Flea
nor Davis (lee Philson), both formerly being
of Somerset county, Pa. He was reared by
tender hands and loving hearts. His rudl-
mentary education was obtained in the pub
lie schools of Maryland. After having be
come proficient therein, he matriculated as
a student of the University of West Virginia
located at Morgantown, where he studiously
applied himself for two years, after which
he attended Meadville College one year and
finally became a student of Wesleyan Uni
versity, located at Delaware, O., where for
four years he was an ambitious and perse-
vering student, not only of language litera-
ture and the sciences, but of theology as
well. From this renowned institution OF
learning he graduated in 1886 with honor
He was man of large native ability, which,
taken in connection with his acquired knOwl-
edge and intellectual development, made
him power in the realm of theology and in
the church of his choice and, indeed, in the
church of God at large.
Soon after his graduation he entered upon
the active work OF the ministry, since which
time he has ably and acceptably filled the
pulpits and discharged all other pastoral
duties of the FIVE charges, to I'LL which he had
been regularly appointed. His first charge
was at Reynoldton, just across the river
from McKeesport, at which place he re
manned two years; his second was at Dravo's
Circuit, at which he remained five years; his
third was at Brownsville, at which he re-
NAMED four years; his fourth was at Buena
Vista Street NJ. f. church, Allegheny City, at
which place he remained four years; and his
fifth and last appointment was at Kittan-
ming, where he discharged all the duties in
cumbent upon him, alike as pastor and
preacher, in most satisfactory manner to
he had been given charge, for and during
the brief period Of a little less than one year,
thus making his entire service as an ambas-
sador of Jesus Christ, whom he so fervently
loved and devotedly reverenced. extend
over period of nearly Is years. Many there
be who, in the last day, shall shine as dia-
dems in his crown of rejoicing.
Rev. Davis was married to Miss Jessie
mi don aPD No. of
Morgantown. w Va, on October Il, 1883.
This event occurred subsequent to his grad
uation, and was coeval with his embarking
in the active work of our blessed Master. He
thus took into his glorious work one who
has ever been loving, faithful and devoted
helpmate, indeed. This union was blessed
with two children, one of whom died in in
fancy; the other of whom, Miss Marguerite,
survives to mourn the untimely loss of a
loving, kind and indulgent paternal parent
The hearts of all our people, irrespective Of
denominations, go out in sympathy to this
disconsolate mother and widow who has
been bereft of husband, than whom none
more loving, devoted and true ever lived.
In addition TO a fond and affectionate
father and mother, the deceased leaves sur
viving him two brothers, c. S. and ]. w.
OdNlSs VI Olle HdIuWdIe uTIl OF JOlln NJ Davis
s. Sons, of Oakland, Nd. Although unac-
quainted with our people these too have the
sympathy of every one.
All that was mortal of him who was belov-
ed by every person with whom he had form
ed an acquaintance was taken to Morgan
town on Tuesday, there to be laid beside
those of his angel child who had gone before
him. On Monday evening Immediately pre-
ceding their removal, memorial services
were held in Mexican Street Methodist Epis-
copal church in which the deceased pastor
had so earnestly and so eloquently and con-
vlncingly pointed the hayward to the Lamb
of God who taketh away the sin Of the world.
1t was attended by the pastors and people Of
the different evangelical denominations of
Kittanning and vicinity. Never has there
been such reverence and respect manifested
toward the memory of any citizen of Kittan-
ming, minister or layman, as was that uni