The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1909-04-08

ial Chapel. Interment in Forest Gem
etery Funeral under the auspices
Of the Phil Kearney Post G. A. r.
George Blair has been resident OF
Oskaloosa almost continuously since
the closing of the war of secession.
The family formerly resided at or
near Eddyville and the deceased en-
listed at this place April 20, 1862, be.
coming private In the Comptny ID,
Seth Iowa Infantry. He saw hard SER
vice until the close of the conflict. He
spent year in southern prison.
George Blair was norn in Logan
county Ohio, January 5, 1910, and
came to the state of Iowa during the
first days OF its settlement. He was
married Miss Alice Stuart, in Mon.
roe county, Iowa, April 2, 1863. Two
daughters were born, Effie and Alice,
both deceased Alice died after an
extended suffering just two months
ago today February ord The wife
died in in 1872. Mr.. Blair was the
last of his Immediate family. Five
brothers, William, Of ..arlan, IA, Thos.
oi Kansas, James and Samuel, OF
Colorado, and Joseph, of Kansas City,
two half-brothers, who reside in Ohio
and two sisters Mrs. Emily Powers, of
Charlton, and Mrs, Sara Hoskinson,
| of Foster, survive. A sister-in-law,
Mrs. Lizzie F. Caldwell, of Ottwnwa,
was with the deceased during the re-
cent illness.
Mr.. Blair was quiet and unosten-
tatious citizen, much liked by his cir,
Gle of neighbors and friends. He was
| a carpenter by trade, successful
| farmer and during the laler years OF
his residence gained reputation as
| an efficient nurse He never lacked
| for employment He was an enthu
siastic member of the G. A. r. and
his death is regretted by large fol
lowing of friends. ~t@ a.. ~
| hSHOEMAKE. - Wesley Shoemake,
| the son of Enoch and Desdemona
Shoemake, was born in Jefferson
county, Iowa, June "a, 1S4l. He de
parted this life March 80, 1909, al
the age of 81 years, months and {
days. His parents moved to Mahaska
| county, near Madison chapel, when
Wesley was three years of age. Al
that time they entered claim which
has been retained in the family.
He was united in marriage to Eliza
beth Coffin in 1860. To this union
were born five children, three dying
in infancy and one daughter at the
age of thirteen. They shared the
struggles and hardsh1ps of pioneer
life together and were blessed in bas
ket and in store. .e. -1,e.
| In the spring of 1862 Rev. William
Elliott held a revival meeting in the
school house near where this house
now stands, where Brother Shoemake
was converted. He relates the story
as follows: g. 5*st rr
81 was convicted for sin. The bur
den of sin was upon me. 1 made .uI
Imy mind to serve God as long as
1 lived regardless Of all costs or con
sequences. The burden was removed
the load was lifted; my prayers hat
| touched the throne. The answer
came; condemnation was gone.
felt Gods approval Yes, a sinner
was saved into state of justification
before God. 81. |".ss.
80 wonderful, so glorious and Sc
| filed with joy was | that scarcely
knew what was the matter with me
began to inquire OF myself--what Is
this? What does all this mean
Then remembering | had heard il
said If anyone had religion they
would love everybody. Immediately
an old gentleman with whom Rhat
had some difficulty, came before my
mind. Oh; how easy it was to for
| give. longed now to see him anc
get him by the hand had stood the
test. The work was accomplished In
my soul. | laughed, cried, prayed
and shouted nearly all the, time tha
was awake for three weeks. having
no conscious knowledge. Of being
tempted during that time. * III
''All my by-words, and many, yea
many of the former ways and things
so much loved before, went as easily
and as joyfully as the case between
the old gentleman and myself wa:
settled. These things which would
have been mountains OF difficulty Il
overcome while lived in sin, was now
made less than mole hills"
Later he felt need N his soul fol
holiness. Hearing message con
corning the gift of the Holy Ghost he
presented his body a living sacrifice
and received this precious gift. Ii
writing on the subject the following
sentences show the value in which
ne held the Spirit of truth:
HE who cannot see that the great
est gift that has ever come to man
was this gift of the Holy Ghost, needs
his eyes anointed the second time that
he may see clearly. We know this
subject is the great theme OF the
Bible, and that 1t is the essence OF
all the Gospel to man."
He was constrained to proclaim the
truths which had been revealed to his
heart. Many found Jesus precious to
their souls through his ministry OF