The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1905-10-27
Obituary.

ODltUdl J.
Robert Grange was born in Napanee,
Canada, on March 6, 1925, and died at
Kennewick, Wash, Oct IS, 1905, in
his Slst year.
Mr.. Grange, with two brothers, were
left orphans and lived until manhood
with their uncles, William and Thos.
Grange Early in life they engaged
in business for themselves, clearing up
land. running a sawmill and a grist-
mill. They were prospered and ac-
cumulated considerable property.
Mr. Grange was happily converted
in 1856, united with t:e Wesleyan
Methodist church and live a consist
ent Christian the rest of his liir, nearly
80 years. While attending class
meeting of the church he first met
Miss Esther Sweet who afterward be-
came his wife in 1857. and together
they journeyed life's pathway for over
As years, sharing its tolls and rewards
until death separated them. But it is
only for short time, for
"Pass few fieeting moments more,
And death the blessing shall restore
Which death has snatched away;
For me thou wilt the summons send
And give me back my parted one
In that eternal day"
In 1871 Mr.. Grange and wife moved
to Minnesota, accompanied Ivy Mr.. H.
D. Sweet, a nephew of Mrs. Grange,
who, with his sister, now Mrs. R. A.
Rose, had lived with them from their
early life. They bought land and
farmed in Minnesota until the spring
of 1904 when they moved to Washing
ton, spending a short time in Seattle,
then removing to Kennewick where
they purchased property, making their
home in the garden tracts, where Mr..
Grange spent his last days.
They had become identified with the
NJ. +. church in Minnesota and trans
ferring their re alton to the church in
Kennewick they became active and
very helpful members in new church
enterprise.
Mr. Grange had very severe sick
spell last February and for some time
his life was despaired of, he suffering
mostly from drorsy, bat being of very
strong constitution he railird ard was
much better, being able during the
summer to be about some. For several
weeks before his death he began to go
down again and required constant care
and attention, suffering AS he did with
nervousness and shortness of breath.
At last, quite unexpectedly, on Friday
ut noon, Oct. 18th, he suddenly ex-
PRED with heart failure, exclaiming a
moment before, 81 believe I am dy-
ing" Although he naturally chung
to life, he often talked about dying and
felt willing to go. Death had no ter
rors for him. and he could say with
the Apostle Paul, "For NE to live is
Christ and to die is gain.' Surely this
aged pilgrim has entered into his rest
and "death is swallowed up in VIC
tory"
A brief funeral service was held in
the home on Saturday, conducted by
Rev. #. H. Dry, the pastor of the Pres
hyterian church. in the absence of his
own pastor, and the remains were es-
corted to the depot by number of his
Masonic brothers and many friends
and were taken by train to North Yak
ina by Mr.. Sweet and Mr. Rose for
Rev. DIR. T. Z. Webb of
North Yakima, and for short time
serving as pastor in Kennewick, con-
Quoted the burial service on Sabbath
number Of old Minnesota
friends living there being present.
Appropriate memorial services were
held in the NJ. E. church at Kennewick
on Sabbath morning, Oct. %, the Pres
by ,erian people joining with the
Methodists, and the many friends and
citizens forming large congregation.
The two chOirs furnished extra selec-
tons besides leading in some of the
old hymns of the church. Rev. Dry.
bring intimately acquainted with Mr..
Grange and the family since their
coming to Kennewick, and being often
with him i'll his sickness, prepared and
read an obituary from which this is
partly taken. and preached a sermon
from the text: BLESSED are the dead
which die in the lord" etc, Rev. l4:l3
the pastor following with u few words.
Servant of God we'll DONE" the old
and appropriate hymn, was sung in
closing.
Mr.. Grange leaves behind him his
aged widow who mourns her loss. but
is greatly sustained of God, and rejoices
i'm what is his eternal gain and expects
soon to meet him in the better world.
4 brotiIerre ides in Chattanooga, Tenn. /
His nephew, H. d. Sweet, and family,
also neice, Mrs. +. 4. Rose. and hus.