Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-11-29
DOLFORD D. DEMARAIS
Well Known in Grand Rapids
Where he Lived Many Rears.

From a copy of "The Crescent &
Grip published in the interest of the
! United Commercial Travellers, in St.
Paul and Minneapolis, we take the
following obituary, as published there
. in about one whom all the citizens OF
Grand Rapids who formerly knew him
intimately W i'll be glad to read:
When the sable and unWelcome
i messenger, Death served the sum
j mons OF heavens high chancery on
Dolford d. DeMaraiS, he made no
plea to the jurisdiction. No pretense
or excuse of mortal, avails to alter
the decree of Him who speaks worlds
into existence and to whom, thOus-
and years are as a day. In the ex-
allied plan of cation, it is as neces-
Sary that men die as that they be
born, but it is only the apathetic dis
ciple of Zeno who does not feel the
pangs of poignant sorrow when an
associate ana friend Unexpectedly
departs from life of usefulness ana
| honor.
Brother Dolford D. DeMarais, who
lost his life in the terrible railroad
wreck, at New Prague, Minnesota, on
| September oath, was highly re-
specGed member OF Minneapolis
Council, of the United Commercial
Travellers.
Mr. DeMarais, who was in his sixty
fifth year, had been in the employ of
Wyman Partridge and Company during
! the past sixteen years, which firm
feels the lost most keenly, according
! him their highest praise as an exemp-
| larry man. He leaves wife, three sons:
Presley S., Lemuel E., and Eearl A,
and two daughters: Nina, Mrs. f. B.
Moore, and Lucille, the latter a girl of
seventeen.
The funeral services were held on
the 26Gh, in the Lyndale Congrega-
i tional Church, Minneapolis: conducted
by Reverend G. E. Burton and Doctor
Matt Evans, the latter having been
their pastor thirty years ago, in
Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, whose
words we're most comforting. Minnea-
polls Conncil, United Commercial
Travellers, members of the Wyman,
Partridge Company, G. A. r. and
friends attended. In all the peace
and quietude of September day, he
vas laid to rest at beautiful Lake
wood. He leaves rich legacy to his
4! loved ones: the memory OF so many
! happy years together.
While young boy. from 1855 to
1850, Mr.. DeMarais lived in St. Paul,
the Robinson st. hotel. His mother
is buried in st. Paul.
| He vas a veGern of the Civil War,
marching in the last parade at
Minneapolis, with a veteran of his
i Regiment. He enlisted in the 57Gh
Ohio, at Toledo, in 1851, and was
honorably discharged after four years
service.
At Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, on the
18th of June, 1868, he married Hattie
i KRONER, bright, happy girl of six
teen years, Who has been a most de-
voted wife and mother, always cheer
full during sunshine and rain.
Mr.. ana Mrs. DemaraiS' generosity
caused them much self denial, which
they never regre tied. Scores of
friends have enjoyed their hospitality:
rich and poor alike always being made
welcome. A Wisconsin Judge writes,
1.-THE happiest hours of my life have
been spent with them" A young
woman writes. THE happiest year
of my life was the one spent in your
home" Another writes, Il know
you bought things for NE when you
needed them yourself" Mrs. De-
Marais is comforted by many such
letters.
Mr.. DeMarais was never too busy to
stop to speak kindly to child. Joseph
Rachac, of New Prague, the friend
who brought him home after the acct
dent, said that the children were
sobbing on the streets, Mr.. DeMarais
is deao!" His own little grand
children out West received beauGi-
full letter from him, few minutes
after he passed away.
Mr.. DeMarais possessed real cul-
ture: kindly thoughtfulness ofSothers.
During ali his life time, his helpful
ness and genial makeup were always
in evidence; not only in times of pros
perity, but In adversely, and he had
many trying times to tax his patience
and endurance.
/ As to character, it was unblemished;
i, integrity and honorable dealings