The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-08-21
Twenty-Five Years Acquaintance With
tho Late Lee County Citizen
Brings Forth Words
Of Praise.
WAS A TRUE CHRISTIAN
A Tribute Which Was to Have Been
Delivered at the Funeral of
the Late William
Coiviu.

The late William Colyin. who died
recently at his home at Sandusky, was
long time and warm friend of DR.
S. w. Moorhead, who prepared tri'
butte to the memory of his friend, to
be read at the funeral services. The
tribute was not read at the services
on account of the inability of the writ
er to be present, but the manuscript
was given to the family for their COM
fort and sympathy. 1t was as follows:
Before the mortal part of him whom
we knew and loved in life is laid away
/ wish, with the consent of the fam
lily and friends here gathered, to say
few words in appreciation of his life
and character. I am proud to say that
William Colvin was my friend. and
it is as his friend that wish to speak.
There is nothing | could say or that
anyone could say that could heighten
your esteem of him, nor is there any
need for panegyric or eulogy TO keep
his memory forever green in our minds
and hearts. Least of all is there need
for fulsome praise. His life has been
an open book before US all for many
years, and the stainless record it pre-
sents is better than any laudation that
could be voiced by human lips. But il
seems fitting that some acknowledg-
meat should be made of the virtues
he exemplsfisd in his long career.
Some of you have known our friend
for more than half q century, Ny per
senal acquaintnee with him dates back
s period of about twenty-five years.
During that time had his confidence
and he had mine Our relations were
such taat ! came TO know him better
that had ever known my Own father,
and the better knew him the more
respected and loved him His quail
tiles were such as 70 command admira-
sfnn and esteem. He rang true n
every particular. He was genuine
from center to circumference. There
was entire absence Of yetsnse in his
makeup. What he protested to be,
that he was-a plain. kindly. earnest,
honest. purighi, God-fearing man As
suna he Iysd his life and drew 10
himself friends who became bound 10
him as with bands of steel He could
not profess what he did not believe.
nor would he suppress speech IL he felt
that he ought to speak ont in the in
terest OF truth and iustiee. Under all
circumstances. whatever the issue or
the emergency, he had the courage OF
his convictions. He never forced his
opinions on anyone. and he had the
largest respect and tolerance for the
opinions OF others But nothing ever
tempted him to deceive for the sake Of
popularity or gain for any oonsidera-
ton whatsoever. Men implicitly felt
they could trust such man. and they
made no mistake in giving him their
confidence,
William Colvin was born IN Ken
lucky near tae birthplace of Abraham
Lincoln. He came OF the same stury
stock as that greatest of all Ameri-
cans. The one led simple, inconspic-
nous, uneyenttul life The other was
called to the highest place in the IA
tons gift and 10 immortal fame, Yet
each in his own sphere exemplified in
his own way the cardinal virtues that
make our nation great. Honor. integ-
rity, conscientiousness, uprightness.
good faith, love of justice. oonstaney.
fidelity, mathematics trust
worthiness and incorrupdbility we're
the foundation stones in the characters
OF both. and in both the superssructure
was worthy what It was built upon.
Much IS said about the influence Of en-
vironment and it must be admitted
that ones surroundings have a great
influence on ones character. bu. he
redity counts for still more. Men do
not gather grapes OF thorns or figs Of
taistles.s It goes without saying. there
fore, in the light of orr knowledge OF
William Colvin. that he came Of good
stock. What is still more to our pres.
ent purpose is the fact that be hon
ored the splendid stock from which he
sprang.
While in the prime Of young man
hood Mr.. Colvin, with full knowledge
of what It involved. entered upon the
life of a pioneer In cornpany with bi-