The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1906-03-05
A FUNERAL DISCOURSE.
Sermon eeiiyered on The besth Of the
late william hesfe7d

The following discourse was de-
liyered by Rev ] C. Smith of Waxa-
haehie at the funeral OF William Hos
ford, and by the request of the fam
lily is published in the Daily Light;
THE righteous shall be in ever
lasting remembrance Psalms
liz: g.
With bowed heads aud submissive
hearts We have assembled as neigh
bors and friends to do honor to the
memory of our friend and brother. |
William Hosford | do not say that
we are here 10 pay the last tribute
of respect 10 him. for. after the last
sad rites of this funeral service have
been performed, and we have laid
his body to rest. those who knew him
and loved him will meet upon the
highway or in the family circles and
make mention of his virtues and pay
loving tribute to his memory.
Our friend and brother has answer
ed the silent summons and taken his
place with the great majority in the
beyond but he being dead YET speak
eth
Brother Hosford was born in North
Carolina in the year 1927, and de
parted this life February 2G, 1905
He was therefore 10 years old When
he was 8 years old his family moved
to Tennessee where he grew up TO
manhood. During his hoyhood days !
he worked on the farm and attended
school alternate years until he was
twenty-five years old In this way he
acquired a fairly good education,
which enabled him to transact his
business.
From Tennessee he moved to Mis-
souri, where in 1859 he was married
to Miss Mary Powers of Neosho, who
survives him In 1861 Brother Hos
ford came to Ellis county, Texas. For
some years after he reached Texas
he was unable to do manual labor,
so he engaged in the freighting bust
ness, employing several teams for
period of ten years. Sometimes he
would make from $400 to $500 a
month. His wife accompanied him
on many of these trips.
Brother Hosford will be remember
| ed as a citizen Having spent almost
a half century In Ellis county he
may be considered one OF the pioneer.
OF the county We. OF this genera
ton owe debt OF gratitude to thes
early settlers that we can never pa,
The, enduYed the hardships ineiden
to opening up a new territory. tn
climatic conditions were trying. The
encountered wild beasts and drough
They were strangers to many of IL
comforts and conveniences we no
enjoy.
The service today is peculiarly sa
land impressive. because 1t records tn
passing away of another one OF thes'
old land marks. The ranks OF tht
pioneer settlers of Ellis county ar.
being rapidly broken and thinneo
| ont. Ellis county is poorer since
William Hosford has passed away
| He represented a class of Citizenship
of the highest order. He advocated
every good and worthy cause
! He contributed cheerfully and lib"
| erally to churches, schools and pub
! lie enterprises. He was friend and
| supporter OF the cause OF education.
As a citizen he was law ABIDING
man. public spirited, taking Hyeiy
| interest in affairs tending toward
the prosperity of the country. He was
/ honest in his dealings with his fel-
| low men. The word graft had no
| place in his business affairs, NO un-
| inst gain or unclean dollars clung 10
| his fingers.
The broad acres of land. the stock,
and property left to the family. rep
reseat his toll and frugallY' bu'
valuable as these are. they are hot
10 be compared to the rich legacy ol
an upright life. to the good example
to the pure character. that ne mas
ileft to his. wife and children These
manly sons and these cueenly daugh-
ters can face the world conscious ol
the fact that their father has lett nc
lstaiu or reproach on the family name
In reviewing his record and lie. w
may all say. Il et me die the death OF
the righteous and my last end be n
his"
prother Hosford will be remem
h.red as a kind and loving husband
land an indulgent father. II is VIII
reluctance that | invade the sacre'
nrecincts of IN. family life. but VII!
should In his case We all know
that h, loved his home. that he pro
vided this elegant and eommoaiou
residence. not for his own persona
qualification. but for the comfort AM
satisfaction OF his family and friends
As A husband he was q good PROVO
er. true TO his marriage VOWS. Iowa
10 the woman who through all tn
long wears of their married M
cluug Ia him for protection. and q
the same Tim. bore her share Of 10
toll and sacrifice In the BATH"
ifs