Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-04-29
REV. ]. D.. DONOVAN DEAD
WelI-Known Minister Passed Away
on Saturday Night.
MRS. RENTCH CIES SUDDENLY
Was an Estimable Lady and Lived
More Than Four-Score-The
Other Deaths.
MRS. RENTCH EIEs SUDDENLY

John d. Donovan formerly pastor of
the United Brethren church in this
CITY, and popular and widely-known
minister. succumbed to the ravages of
an affection of the lungs at his home
on South Queen street at IL O'Clock
on Saturday night. closing q life of
earnest Christian endeavor in peace
full and Christian-like manner.
1t had been known for weeks past
that Mr.. Donovan's battle against the
encroachment of disease was practice
ally hopeless. and that medica. skill
and the devotion of his family and
friends could but prolong his span
but brief time, yet when the news
of his death became known it was re-
ceived by many here with expressions
of the sincerest regret.
Mr.. Donovan was born in Rocking
ham county. Va, nearly 90 years ago.
coming of sturdy stock. His early
life was humble and passed in the en-
vironment of farm and field, from
which he emerged in early manhood
by his own efforts. He studied for
the ministerv at the Shenandoah in
stitute, at Dayton. Va, and was or
dained to his high calling in 1879.
He served several churches of his de.
nomination faithfully, and was then.
in 1883, assigned to the church in
Martinsbura. when that charge was
young and needed strong and earnest
pastor for its upbuilding.
His work here was successful. and
after several years spent in other fields
he was chosen presiding elder of the
Winchester district, in which respon.
sible position he continued for seven
years. He was then again made pas
tor of the church of MartInsburg.
where he remained until November Is,
1904. when failing health forced him
to retire from active work as pastor.
He never lost his interest in his church
work. however. but when his physical
the services at his former charge.
Since he gave up his church here he
has lived life of semi.retirement at
his home on South Queen street,
where he made brave but unavailing
effort to recover his health. Mr.. Dom
ovan passed nearly all the wears of
bis ministry in the Virginia confer
ence, where he was regarded as one of
the able and conspicuous figures.
always energetic in behalf Of the
church he labored for.
Surviving him are his widow, who
was Miss Lillian Virginia Croft, of
Staunton, Va. and one young son,
Gladstone. a lad of 10. There also
survive the following brothers and
sisters: Phillip Donovan, of Lost
City. w. Va. Robert e. Donovan. of
Bayard. W. Va. A. H. Donovan and
Mrs. S. Fl. Swank, of Singers Glen.
Va. His parents are dead. the father
preceding him to the grave just two
months.
The funeral was held on Tues
day morning at O'Clock, and after
the services here the remains were
taken to Singers Glen by way of
Harpers Ferry for interment in the
family burial ground in Rockingham
county. Owing to the limited time
before the departure of the train. the
services we're held in the Lutheran
church, instead of the United Breth-
rem. The services were conducted
by Rev. g. P. Holt, pastor of the
United Brethren church at Berkeley
Springs, who served as presiding
elder with Mr.. Donovan.
In addition to other important
Offices entrusted to the dead minister.
he had been elected to represent the
Virginia conference of bis church at
the general conference to be held in
Topeka. Kan.
MRS. LAWRENCE RENTCH.
Mrs. Mary Ann (NolD Rentoh,
widow of Lawrence Shaffer Rentch.
and a member of well-known Berke.
ley county family, died very suddenly
at the home OF her daughter, Mrs.
Alice Carpei. on West King street.
Monday morning shortly before 2
o'clock. Deathwaswholly unexpected,
as Mrs. Rentch was apparently in her
usual health when she arose. The end
is supposed to have been due to pa
ralysis. She YVES in her 82ud.year.
Mrs. Rentch was a daughter of the
late Gottleib Noll. and was born and
reared at the old Noll homestead, on
the Tusoarora grade road, west of
Martinsburg. She was married to
Mr.. Rentch April -, 1841. For time
after her marriage .she 4 resided in
but later returned with
her husband to her old home. where
she resided until about 10 years ago.
when she removed to Martinsburg