Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1907-03-15
The Sod Be Light Above Him,

shadow has fallen in such rapid succession
near and over our community within tn
past few weeks until it has saddened every
household, hushed the music and darkeneC
the hearthstones of go many that heretofor
were warm and bright with joy and swee
and mellow with the fragrance Of love. TIL
love and sympathy of this community wa
never more sincerely and profoundly star
tied and touched, its sorrow and sympathy
30 delicately and harmoniously blended
than at the announcement of the death o
John Maddox, which occurred in the fad
ing twilight of the evening of March 9Th
1907, in the 54th year of his age. The voic,
of prayer and the tear of sorrow broke tn,
stiffness around his sick COUCH love admin
istered to his every want and apparent neces
sity, the best medical skill was brought int
requisition-the solemn mandate came, the
golden bowl was shattered, the vine which
fastened it's tendrils so affectonately around
it chung to its fragments as the soul return.
ed to the God who gave it.
When one has deserved well of those
among whom he has lived; has honestly
and faithfully fulfilled every obligation due
to himself and society, it is fitting that We
should turn aside for few moments from
our duties and place on record our testi.
monial OF respect, affection and esteem. II
Is the least service we can render for him, il
is a service which is we'll merited and one
that we perform not as a mere matter of Gus.
tom or form of duty but because his pleasant
and genial disposition, his kindness of heart,
his integrity Of character, and his industry
and iaithfulness in the discharge of duty,
render it for him just due and for US
consolation that we can honestly bestow it
The deceased, born and reared in this
county, was the Oldest child and son of the
late DR.. Charles John Maddox by his first
marriage with Mary King, of st. Mary's
County, Md. At very early age, upon the
completion of his education at the Rock
vile Academy, he accepted position in the
store of the late Nicholas ID. Offutt, where
he remained some eighteen months, when
he was offered and accepted similar posi-
ton in a large mercantile house in Norfolk,
Va, and some two years subsequently he
left for Europe. At the close of six months
not finding it the Eldorado which his ar.
dent aspirations had SO wildly painted, he
returned home and soon thereafter obtained
situation in Chicago. While so engaged,
position in Washington City was rendered
him. His attachment for his home and
those whom he loved was the strong induce.
ment which eliminated in the acceptance.
In that city he assumed responsible duties
in several large mercantile houses, and at
the time Of his death was holding an office
in the General Post Office Department In
all of these several occupations his attention
to his duties, strict integrity, moral bearing,
ability and nice sense Of honor won for him
not only the respect but the admiration and
confidence of those whose interest was con-
fided to his care.
In 1898, Mr.. Maddox married Miss Addie,
daughter of Joseph Goff, OF st. Mary's
County, a lady of rare beauty and accom-.
plishments and rarer virtues OF mind and
heart. 1t was bright, happy, sunny union
and God in his beneficence added his choic-
est gift, three little girls and boy, all now
of tender years. Safely anchored, he caused
to be erected an inviting little home upon
a romantic site on the SUBURBS OF our town
To the cultivation of this home he unbent
every energy of his mind and heart until the
blended mystic voice and aroma of flowers
within and flowers around filled every crew
ice and spot. 1t grew under his constant
care to be an ideal home, melowed with the
atmosphere of love, intelligence, ease, hap
piness and contentment He loved this
home, he loved its inmates; it was pro6ta-
BILE home because in it he led contented
life, triumphant life in that he wrought no
evil against his fellows. 1t was the simple
life, proof against remorse and wearing
conscience void of offence. In this home
he was rich IN that his wants were few; in
that vice and he were strangers in that
appetite, booted and spurred, did not ride
him to contrition; in that he did his duty
and was faithful TO the end.
His friendship rested along an elevated
plane. The genial, bland manner which
always graced his intercourse with his fel.
lows was no merely assumed garb, but the
outer sign of the true and noble heart
which dwelt within. He ever met his
friends with smile on his countenance,
and when he extended his hand it was an
open declaration Of the sincerity OF his heart
He was not an aggressive man in the vigor-
GUS meaning of the word, bat he was pru-
dent, safe, careful and reliable one. His
charities were commemorate with his means.
He was an exemplary citizen, a kind neigh
Dor, good man-above all he was chris
tian gentleman.
"But now life's battle is over" with fal.
tering and muffied step we would tread
lightly to his sorrow. bowed ones extending
our heartfelt sympathies 10 their sore be-
reavement and commencing them to him
who has promised to be the God Of the
widow and the Father of the iatherless.
ale that doth the ravens feed,
Yea, providently caters for the sparrow"
In the beautiful dream of Ion the hope
OF Immortality SO eloquently uttered by the
death devoted Greek fnds deep response in
every thoughtful soul. When about TO yield
his life a sacrifice to fate, his Clemanthe asks
if they should meet again, to which he re-
spends: 81 have asked that dreadful ques-
ton of the hills that looked eternal, of the
clear streams that flow forever, Of stars
among whose fields of azure my raised
spirits have walked In glory. All are dumb.
But as gaze on thy living face, feel there
is something in love that mantles through
its beauty that cannot wholly perish. We
shall meet again" II the tortures Of suf-
fering had not obscured his mental faculties,
such holy and beautiful thoughts would
have been his parting benediction and