The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-09-15
Henry M. SkidmOre.



"Ye are living epistles known and read of
all men,"
Henry NJ. Skidmore, son of David
and Mary Skidmore was born April
9Th, 1872, near Raymond, in Union
county, and departed this life Sep
tember 5th. 1908, at the ege of thir-
ty-one years and five months, lacking
one day. June End, 1897, he was
united in marriage with Miss Ollie
Benton, to whom there were born
three children, Maude, David and |
and Leroy. All these, father, moth |
er, wife and children, and two broth |
ers, Thomas and Azel, with many rel
atives and friends, are lett to mourn
his loss. He had no enemies and all
his acquantances held him in high
esteem. But those who knew him
best always among all classes loved
him most dearly. He was favorite
among his kin, and to his wife, chill
ldren and near relatives he was most
devoted and loyal. Rarely do we
find a man SO upright in character,
and so true, pure and conscientious
in all the relations of life. He had
that happy mean of temperament,
that made him a model of patience,
, that made him pleasant and agreea-
pble to all classes, without any seem
|. ing condescension or patronizing air,
and yet sufficiently dignified and
, courteous to elicit the respect of the
most manly men.
His agreeable department and ap-
lpearance to all; his familiar snatch
es of songs, whether hummed by voice
or whistled brought much good cheer
to his friends and his presence made
them forget their troubles. He was
always hopeful and expectant oi
9 good things. Never did he com.
& plain when serving others and max
ing them happy, but this was his life
: and delight.
l. These pleasing traits of charac
e ter with all the sterner and stronger
characteristics, made him at al
p times and all places, and under al
. circumstances welcome gues'
r among his friends. He has all hi
Il life experienced the truth of lat'
O sermon of his pastor on the text
= "He That Would Be Great Among
Z You, Let Him Be Servant to AL"
e Several years ago when scarcel.
II out of his teens he confessed Chris
n and became a member of the churcl
at West Mansfield, but when he set
e tied here after his marriage, he
e with his wife placed their member
" ship with this congregation, whel
a he has been a faithful and help
1. full member. Two or three years ag
,r he was elected and formally set apar
II as one of the deacons of the congre
p lgation, which office he honorabl
~ filed until his death. He was
,e member also of the fraternal orde
D. of the Knights of Pythias, and the
[e are here today to pay him their fina
I'd fraternal regards, and to sympathiz
II With his wife and children and othe
lamenting friends in these last sa
rites. The belief that tho youn
and vigorous in life he was prepare
,e for death and that he Is In the hand
ar of an all wise and merciful God al
al our only consultations in our loss an
ed grief.
-s:I In all my acquaintance with me
w have never known a more dutifl
Is son, a more loving husband, a moi
ed devoted father and more consister
at IChristian.
On This vast concourse of friends b
to speaks more httingly than anv wort
ne of mine, how this sudden and seer
ed Ing untimely death shocks and fair
er dazes us all. We cannot see why or
ce so young, SO strong, so manly, ,
n helpful, so needful should be so vi
lently taken from us. But in OF
short and finite vision, we know thu
that many things are too unfathomi
BILE for us and We can only trust thu
es God may overrule this sad and dir
m full event to the good of us all ar
In to glory of himself.
al Long will the vacant seat of Hem
w in family and In church be a remin,
is er to us of the nobility and mani
ne ness of his character and incite us
ro purer and better life. May &c
n help US to bear our loss with fortitut
ng and with faith and hope of a reu
hs ion in that better land. A. 5.