Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-04-18
NEwcoMsE.

the best known and most highly n
esteemed citizens of Barton county.
passed to his reward Friday, April n
after an Illness extending over q Per
iod Of several years and which for
the last two years has never ceaset
to be serious. Though long past the
alnofted span Of life. being at Tia
time of his death in his ninetisth
year, and for some time in a greatly
enheebleh condition physically, he
was bright and sound mentally and
had clear and vivid recollection q
events which transpired in his earlY
life. He has always been recognised
as a man of great individuality ands
strong character, and possessed In
Vulnerable traits which greatly en-
deared him to host Of those who
were fortunate enough to know him
intimately.
He was born in 1923 in Batavia, N.
7. As young man he became a civil
engineer and for years followed that
line Of work constructing locks along
the Erie Canal and doing engineering
work for the railroad which were be-
coming institutions of public interest.
When the civil war broke out he join,
ed Co. X, Of the 9Th N. Y. engineers
and served with distinction. In 1876
he moved to this country from Flint,
Michigan. Then past the prime Of
life, Sc years Of age, he bought two
sections Of land in Independent town
ship and sent east for the first full
blood Shorthorn cattle and full blood
Berkshire and Suffolk swine to BE-
brought to the county. His desire TO
better conditions in farm life had
much to do with the establishing Of
the better grades of cattle in an early
day in this section. A man Of super
ior education, Of mature judgment ana
ripe experience 1t was natural that be
should play an important part In the
political life of the county. His ad-
vice on matters Of public interest was
freely sought and as freely expressed.
He was elected county surveyor, the
only office ne would consent to have.
that being in line with ASs life work,
and he served three terms in that
office. He moved to this city when
elected and had since made 1t his
home. In 1889 he established a nur-
sery here to keep him busy in his
declining years and operated the
same until very recently. He was a
member of the Congregational church
Of Pap Thomas Post GA r. :, and Of
the Knights Templar, in all Of which
he had been an active and highly re-
spected worker. An interesting fact
in relation to his Masonic affiliations
is that at the time Of his death he
probably had been a knight Tenn
plar for more years than any other
man in the state, having been admit
ted in 1856.
His funeral service was conducted
from the Congregational church Sun
day, April 13, and was in charge Of
the Knights Templar, assisted BY
Rev. Greenwood, with Chas. Woyden.
Ira d. Brougher, Jos. Walter. R. H.
Moses, J. F. Tilton and Ed Tyler. Of
the G. A. R. as honorary pail bearers.
Thus passeth from the stage Of.Hfe
one whose mission was well fulfilled,
whose life had extended over a per-
iod of four score and ten years, filled
with kind acts, noble deeds and re-
plete with manifestations Of the three
Graces, Faith, Hope and Charity. OF
such one it may truthfuHy be said.
He had not lived in vain" He 10
survived by three children, S. A. New
combe, Mrs. Millicent Treat and F.
B. Newcombe, all Of whom live. here
and are we'll knwon.