The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-11-29
MoRTUARY.
Wesley Houdesheldt.

Wesley Houdesheldt, the subject of
this memoir, was born in Vinton county,
Ohio, April 3rd, 1886, and died October
10Th, 19O6, being 70 years, months
and % days. At the age of 10 with his
parents he moved to Decatur county,
Iowa, which place he made his home up
to the time of his death.
May the 10th, 1860 he was united in
marriage to Sarah Ann CURE, who
proceeded him to that goodly land. To
this union were born eleven children,
four of whom have crossed the dark
river and are there with mother to
await the Savior to call dear father
home where death and sorrow are I'M
known. He was converted in 1869 and
united with the church of the United
Brethren in Christ. He was on the hill
top and down in the valley, but always
ready to defend the cause of Christ; he
died with the love of Christ in his
heart and left bright testimony be-
hind. He bore his last sufferings with
great patience and christian fortitude
His life was one of singular purity, and
he was everybody's friend, always hav-
ing kind word for young and old. We
doubt ii he had an enemy in the world.
His friends were as numerous as his
acquaintance or associates and all
without exception speak of him in the
highest terms of esteem and admiration.
They will read of his death with the
pang OF grief.
The visitation of the death messenger
must at any time bring bitter regrets.
when it is the cause of breaking a
happy home, the sad stroke of real
separation and the final farewell drives
the dagger of grief deep down into the
souls of the survivors. Oh, the wonder
full ways of providence! The why and
the wherefore of death are among the
unscrutable mysteries of the eternal.
Alas, how little do we know of our des-
tiny! How often are we doomed to
disappointment. The sun of one life's
sunrise is sometimes fated to look down
on nothing but untitled expectations.
Bleeding and whiting hearts, despair,
disease and death. What folly for us
to build castles in the air for the
greater power to raise with confusion.
Truly the wise man did say what
shadows we are and what shadows we
pursue" Our only remedy, as we'll as
our best duty, is to receive from the
hands of him who hath assured us that
he doeth all things we'll. Like the set
ting sun his spirit passed out of sight,
soon to arise and brighten another
world than this.
| He was laid to rest in the Shy
cemetery to await the coming of the
Savior in the clouds of glory. Turn
over the lid Of the casket for last
look at the face you shall never see
more, now lower the casket, there, now
rest; all is over.
Rest in God, father dear, for none
shall come here to disturb your sweet
slumber; sleep, sleep on; the sleep of
the just on the couch that knows no
dreaming. Darkness, dampness, mold
and mildew may form around you in
your solitary cell, little affecting you
in that cold, cold chamber. The world
will continue to run it's rapid rounds
above you, making little difference to
you; your earthly career is closed. 1t
would appear that some people were
never made to die, at least it is pity
that the ground should find room for
them. The world would be so much
better by their remaining in it.
Father Houdesheldt was one of this
kind. We doubt if he had an enemy in
the world. 1t can truly be said the
world was no worse. but better, by his
having lived in it, for he was always to
criticise wrong and to uphold any
thing for the betterment of the country.
He lived an exemplary life, giving
rather than take from friend or neigh
Dor.
He leaves three sons and four daugh-
tiers, two brothers and one sister, and
a host of friends to mourn his death.
Good-by father, friend and neighbor,
enter upon your reward for our Savior
hath said, 81 go to prepare place
for you that where am there, We may
be ALSO" TX