Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-12-24

when free from the whirl of the bust
ness world, his true character shone
to greatest advantage. In such rela-
tionsf1ip he was genial, affable, light
hearted, courteous, thoughtful, consid-
crate, gentle, kind and loving. He
had for all pleasant word, kindly
smile, a cordial greeting. To those
who knew him he was as sweet as
summer. Association with him was
an inspiration for higher and better
life, for truer and broader culture,
for greater good to society and the
world. He seemed to be in love with
life. Around him were sunshine and
flowers. He lived as one who loved
his fellow men and was beloved by
them, and as he lived he died. Take
him for all and all we shall not look
upon his like again.
Though it seldom happens that the
am bitions of young manhood are real
lied, we may we'll doubt whether our
departed friend and brother, as he
first looked upon the waters of this
river shimn1ering in the distance, as
he spent many long and weary days
on its shores when it was the great
highway of commerce, dared to hope
for greater happiness and greater Sue
w
him. In due time there came to him
| that blessing compared with which
other pleasures are trivial indeed, the
peace and delight of a loving family
and a happy home on the banks of
| that same river near where he had
given the early efforts of his life, and
where for more than twenty three
years, in the sweet conpanionsllip of
those he loved, had glided ''the smooth
current of domestic 10y
| During all these years he was fore
most in every good work and enter
prise and charity of this community.
| With such life and with his temper
ament it must have filled the fullest
measure of his laudable ambition to
be known, honored and respected, and
worthy of the love and esteem of his
| fellow men in the city he loved so we'll.
His was truly great and noble char
acter without the shadow of spot or
blemish.
AS we reflect upon all that he
achieved at comparatively early age
in the varied pursuits of his life, and
consider the field of usefulness and
honor which seemed to be open to him
| for many years to come, the great loss
we have sustained in his death, in the
vigor of manhood, in the full maturity
of all his unrivalled ability, and occur
ring, as it does, at this the critical
period of our municipal history, seems
doub1y hard to bear. And few hours
ago as stood beside the casket which
contains all that is mortal of our de-
parted brother and friend, musings on
the unrolved problems of life and
1 = IL, 11@I &l...-
endowed in the very monday of his
life, facing with heroic and hopeful
eyes the future, surrounded with
tude of 1ife's blessings, with boundless
opportunities before him, is summoned
to the great beyond, we cannot help
but wonder why.
1t is difficu1t-we1l nigh impossible
to think of him as dead. There was so
much of robust man1iness, such buoy
ancy of spirit to him was worth
the living and he was SO fashioned for
it's enj oyments and its successes that
although we view his remains here
and see his casket lowered to its final
resting place, though we stand beside
his casket draped in sables and laden
with the sweet emb1ems of everlasting
| though we see his devoted wife under a
stress of grief too strong for tears,
and those of his children SO young in
years that they are wholly unconscious
of their loss, though we see all this,
the whole scene seems to me more
dream than a mournfu1 reality. And
while I utter these words my thoughts
go back and my heart goes with them
| 70 Jn1 hpt fayv ia
ago we behe1d him in the pride and
strength Of his vigorous manhood.
And as trace in nemory's glass his
familiar features and think how, al
most without a warming, alone and
| away from home and loved ones, and
within few miles of the spot where
little over a quarter of century be-
fore he first set foot upon the soil of
| his adoption, death called him to the
unseen world, there comes to my mind
the thought, with an impress1veness
unknown before, "What shadows we
are. What shadows we pursue"'
The curtain has dropped upon his
life. His part here is played. He has
left us behind, some of us for but
short time, leaving to us, however,
and to his bereaved widow and child
rem that greatest of all consultations,
that most priceless heritage which
earth can give, the memory of char
acter and reputation for loyalty, affec-
ton, usefulness, manhood, integrity
and industry that can never fade from
our minds. In due order we all shall
follow. Let us hope that our record
may be as pure. Let us cherish and
revere his memory. Let us endeavor
to emulate his virtues and be guided
| by his example, SO that when the
dread summons comes, as come it
must, we may be prepared to go hence,
| as he has gone, tried and found true
in every reIa ton of life, with no duty
| unperformed.
He has gone leaving few like him
| behind; few so dear and SO l1Onored in
the hearts of those who knew him.
May we long feel his influence in his
accustomed place, and seek wisdom of
| him as if he were here. Thus, though
it is written he is dead, he will be ever
with us reminding us of that impera-
tive command of our laws, "The faults
of our brothers we write upon the sands,
their virtues upon the tablets of love
| and memory" and assist us in main
| tanning those cardinal principles of
our order. Charity, Justice, Brotherly
Love and Fidelity among men which
he himself maintained in life SO long,
SO faithfully and so we'll. Such men
as he are additions to the world. The