The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-11-04
Cornelius Christy.

Cornelius Christy was born in
Bridgeport, Conn, Nov. 12 1914, and
died in Leon, Iowa, Nov. l, 1909,
aged "a years, IL months and 19
days.
1 He was of Irish ancestry, his par
Eents, John and Mary Christy having
come from Ireland but a short time
before the birth of Cornelius. He was
York City, June 6, 1S43. They lived
to celebrate their sixtieth anniversary
June 6, 1903. To their union seven
children were born. three sons and
four daughters, all of whom have
passed away except two daughters,
Mrs. Jennie Caldwell. of Des Moines,
and Mrs. Emma Osborn, of Leon. His
wife, the companion of more than
sixty years, was called to her eternal
home July 18. 1903. Besides the two
daughters, there are living twenty
one grand children and fourteen
great grandchildren.
I In 1858 he left the state of New
tYork and located at Muscatine, Iowa.
Tine family lived there Tor d white,
then moved to Decatur county. In
1877 they sold the farm and moved
to Leon, where he has since resided.
Hence for 80 years Father Christy
has been resident of this city, a
time SO long as to give him a wide
acquaintance with the older citizens,
and to closely identify him with the
affairs of the community. And this
long residence has given ample op-
portunity for the community to form
a fairly correct opinion of his charact-
er. The writer's acquaintance with
him has been but a little more than
three years, a time when he was in
age and feebleness extreme, but his
faith was strong, his habits of prayer
and Bible reading unabating, show
ing most devout life. How conld it
be otherwise? For nearly rs years
he had been in the service of God,
In early life he was member of the
United Brethren church When he
moved to Leon he united with the
Methodist church and remained a
faithful member until called to the
church in the skies. Those who
knew him longer and more intimate
ly testify to his sterling Christian
character. This is true both of those
in the church and those who are not
members. His was long life In
his time the greatest progress the
world ever knew was made Prac-
tically every great invention that has
bettered the condition of the race
was made in his day And the
church of Jesus Christ made greater
gains in that time than in all the
centuries preceding. So Gods
promise TO him has been fulfilled.
t"ith
and Show Him My Salvation" ("
After the death of his wife he aged
rapidly, and the strong man became
as a little child. But receiving his
second eyesight he read his Bible al
most continuously, living in the con-
stant expectation of the summons
home. During the later years of his
life he made his home with his
daughter, Mrs. Osborne, who gave to
him the tenderest care and attention,
and again and again he would thank
God for such good daughter. Dur
ing the last few weeks Mrs. Caldwell
has shared in the sacred but heavy
task of ministering to his needs.
When the end came it was sweet re-
lease to the aged and worn body, and
upon the authority of Gods Book of
Life, we can but believe that it was
heaven for the released spirit. For
him rest, and we will say: Thy will
be done" A large circle of friends
extend to the family their tenderest
sympathy.
The funeral was held from the
Methodist church on Tuesday at 2
p. M, Rev. ]. L. Boyd, pastor of the
church preaching the sermon from
the text Mark the perfect man and
behold the upright, for the end of
that man is peace" Rev. Charles
Arthur Coakwell pastor of the Chris
tian church, assisted in the services.
1nterment was in the Leon cemetery.
Marriage J,icanseS