Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-05-22
Obituary-Frances Van De Vail

shadows for a time. the aged have
the sure promise, At even tide it
shall be light. = Francis Van de
Wall was native of London, Eng
lane, born October 28th, 1922. Came
to America in June 1916. making his
home in Lancaster, Wisconsin the
same year. For the long period of
sixty seven years has been a con
tinuous and respected resident of this
city. From his home here, he de-
parted this life, at - rs a. m, April
Goth, 1919. He was united in mar
mage to Miss Jane Ann Russell at
Lancaster, April 4th, 1852. They
became the parents of eleven children.
Four went into the better land in in
fancy. George, a beloved son, went
from Lancaster with the Alaskan
Expedition of 1898, and found grave
in that far away, ice bound land.
The blow was severe one to the
rapidly aging parents-and the faith
full wife and mother-long a great
sufferer, followed her boy Sept. "a,
1906.
She was a woman of noble fortitude
and patience, and after her departure
the venerable husband has been
simply waiting for the inevitable
change that should bring rest to
him. He retained a remarkable
vitality until year ago and even
up to the end was blessed with acute
hearing and sight.
He lived with his youngest daugh-
ter Carrie, and everything. about their
pretty home was kept in perfect neat
ness. his garden spot being a wonder
of growth and cleanliness. Though a
man of fragile build he had merciful-
ly escaped the ills that flesh is heir
to. 1t is sad that the last weeks of
his great age to which he had been
so wonderfully preserved were weeks
of extreme suffering.
But in his days of pain, Carrie the
devoted unselfish daughter, Inheriting
the mothers noble character, was the
crowning blessing, soothing through
many an hour of long vigil, in her
arms the suffering father. He spoke
often of his absent children, men
tioning each beloved one. But Carrie
was the name constantly on his lips.
Her voice alone could southe, her
tireless hands ease the weary limbs
And she was given strength to round
out the beautiful rare devotion of all
It's days of sweet youth the self-eface-
ment of womanhood's fairest earlist
years, by these last ministries to the
aged father. This brief memoriam
could hardly be compete without a
passing tribute to so noble a daugh-
ter. She had been the soIace of
many years to the invalid mother.
And by her tender jealous care made
death for father a release at last,
a gently opened door into the land
where pain and sorrow are not; the
land of everlasting peace.
We have not all the sturdiness of
temperament to remove the thorns
and heal the wounds in other lives,
bearing in continuous smiling silence
the hurt of our own hearts.
Mr.. Van De Wall was for twenty
seven years the photographer of the
county seat and was widely known.
He was man of pleasant address.
affable and courteous to ALL His
innate politeness made him mindful
to the last of the kindness and
courteries of all who came to see him.
He courageously bore the adversities
of fortune. Never aired his ills or
his sorrows. Was eager always to
express his appreciation and made all
who came to see him in his cid age
feel that in 50 doing they had been
kind.
A brief memorial service was held
at the home Sunday following demise
at 30 p. III. Rev. j. L. Murgans
officiating. The venerable man, after
sixty seven years residence in Lancas-
ter now sleeps with the faithful wife
in her beautiful city ssof the dead,
Hillside. ,-----.-
Those who survive to mourn are
Frank, Grand View. Wash. William,
Cordova, Nebraska Mrs. Emma Ten
pant, Missouri Valley, Iowa; Mrs.
Mary Alcorn, Omaha, Neb. Walter,
Milton, Wash, and Carrie at home.
with twelve grand children and
three great grand children. Mary
came, but too late to see her father
in life.
For the beautiful flowers and the
many other tributes of affection and
for the unceasing kindness of neigh
bors and friends to the beloved father
and to them-the children are pro-
foundry grateful. -
"Wh3f art tho11 heath that cbo,,1a Go.