Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-12-09
Obituary-G arthwaite.

But nevertheless it was only too
true. Sometimes Our Father sees
fit to tell us that we are soon to go
and again it is not his wish that we
should be fOrewarned. Yet we are
sure that He above all knows best
and we must be ready when He
calls as was the brother who has
Just gone from our midst.
While it was a great shock to the
community it was still greater one
to the immediate family. Up to the
time of his death he had appeared
to be in his usual health which, al
though it was not always Of the best,
did not keep him from work on the
farm
On the day of his death he went
to Lancaster for a load of lumber
and arrived home about supper
time. At o'clock he talked over
the phone with his neighbor, Will
Garthwaite, as was customary be-
tween the two families. While
talking he seemed to be feeling well
and was at times quite jovial.
An hour later he retired and as
usual knelt in prayer before going
to bed. After few moments con-
versation with his wife-and these
last words were about the beautiful
death and dying testimony OF the
one at whose death bed he had been
but that day-week before perhaps,
then Everett in heaven knew that
his cousin would soon join him and
was waiting beyond the river for
him-he suddenly became silent and
his wife noticing the peculiar breath
ing spoke twice but received no an
swer and on further examination
found him to be what she thought
unconscious. Neighbors were then
called in and also medical aid but to
no avail for the spirit Of Philip
Garthwaite had passed to his final
reward.
What better testimony can be
had from those to whom death is
unexpected than communion with
our heavenly Father in prayer?
Thus we know that the lamps were
trimmed and burning and as re
ward a home in the great beyond
had been prepared for the one who
SO soon left his friends on earth for
those in heaven.
Only the week before he was the
mainstay Of an afflicted family and
who but our Father knew that while
Philip helped Will to select casket
in which to lay away the remains Of
Everett, it was ordained that on the
next Thursday Will should select
the casket which was to be the final
token of respect for one who had
done as much for his fellowmen as
had Philip Garthwaite
His usual seat at church services
now is vacant and still greater va
cancy has been made among those
with whom he was wont TO confer
in his everyday life. AS friend,
none could be better; as neighbor,
he was the kind that brings up the
standard of a community. He was
honest, sober and industrious, a
well meaning and a God-fearing
man. AS counselor, none but
those advised can fully tell, for it
was they who appreciated most his
words of advice. Among the latter
are the fatherless family, his neigh
bors, and father could hardly have
done better than he did by the
mother and boys from whom the
father was taken year and seven
months ago. And last but not
least, we must speak of his home
and the fatherly affection and fos-
tering care given his daughters and
of the true helpmate that he had
been to his wife.
Philip r. Garthwaite was born in
Little Grant, Sept. Is, 1856. His
youth was passed in this township
and on March %, 1881, he was unit
ed in marriage to Miss Cecilia Hale.
This union was blessed with two
daughters, both of whom survive,
Sylvia and Edna. The family have
always resided in Little Grant and
for the past years have occupied the
home where Philip passed away on
Nov. 25th. Besides these loved ones
he leaves to mourn his loss a broth
or, Charles of Bloomington, and a
sister, Mrs Chas, Hale of Little
Grant. There are also five half
brothers-Isaac, John and James of
Little Grant, Ben of Beetown, and
A. Frazier of Bloomington, and
many other relatives and friends.
On Sunday, Nov. 20, the last sad
services we're held at the M. E.
church in LITTLE Grant whnra tho