The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-02-17
OBITUARY

OBITUARY
William Dawson Jeffrey was born
in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jan.
81, 1856. Very early in life he was
bereaved by the death of his father,
who passed away leaving his family,
wife and five children without ade-
quate means. Thus as a mere boy, Mr.:
Jeffrey was faced with the necessity OF
helping to support his mother and his
brothers and sisters.s When he was
13 years of age the family removed
to Emporia, Kan, where they lived
for a time on farm. The boy felt
the need of an education and soon Sc
cured work in town, being employed IN
the lumber yard, and at the same time
attending the state normal school. he
did not finish the course in this school,
but he:received the elements of an edu-
cation which served him well in later
life, for he was naturally thoughtful
man, giving to the habit Of acquiring
from his surroundings and
associates. I.
About this time he was welded to
Miss Kittie Elliott of Philo, Illinois,
and the home thus founded was one
wherein dwelt serene and constant
happiness. Through all the years, Mr..
Jeffrey has been lover of his home,
with pride in its well-being, mindful OF
the grace of hospitality, always cher
ishing it's best interests.
Soon after marriage, he removed to
Yankton, S. D., where he engaged in
AfEox. a short r,oci.
dence there he was employed by the
Smith Lumber Co. at York Harbor,
Neb. This firm asked him to take
charge of their interests in Valley
City, and he came to this city in 1906.
The firm name soon became the Rog-
ers-J effrey Co., and not long after Mr..
Jeffrey purchased the business, which
he has since conducted. AS business
man he has always stood for the high
est and best ideals, and has long been
regarded as one of our ablest and best
He held in a marked de-
gree the respect and affection OF his
business associates, and was ever con-
scientious and faithful in his business
relationships.
AS a citizen he was well known as a
man of public spirit, genuinely con-
cerned about the welfare Of the COM
ready to give and to work for
it's best growth. 80
Very soon after his coming to Val
ley City he united with the First Con-
Church of Christ, and
quickly became known as one OF its
most active and helpful members.
Serving willingly in many different Of
fetal positions in the church, ne was
much devoted to it's success. Positive
in his convictions, frank in his state
ments, absolutely honest in his think
ing and his methods, sometimes mis-
understood, he yet impressed those
who knew him we'll as a man who was
religious in the best sense.
A few days ago he remarked to bust
ness associate that he was trying to
live every day as though it were to be.
his last. He was the kind of man of
whom mothers were accustomed to say
that they would wish their boys to be-
come like him. Extremely fond OF
children, he was always making new
friends among the little folks and he
gained and held their affection, which
is perhaps the strongest evidence OF
the reality of his character. Chlldren
know instinctively whom to trust, and
they readily gave their hearts to MIN
to keep. %
He had strongly marked social and
fraternal instincts, and was an active
of many fraternal and social
He took the. obligations
of his membership seriously, and was
much loved by his fellow members.
The summons to pass on into the
other world came suddenly, and with
out warning. Apparently in full
health, he was in his Office and on the
street all forenoon. He came home
to his luncheon, ate we'll. and went to
an upstairs room to make really so
that he might go from his office to the
father and son banquet to be held that
evening. Mrs. Jeffrey soon afterward
found him lying on the floor the victim
of stroke of apoplexy. Everything
that medical skill could suggest and
loving affection devise was done to re-
store him to consciousness, but it was
a vain struggle, and shortly before 10
o'clock that evening he passed out into,
the great world Of the spirit gen
Clomdn uIldlEdlu. AAC "oo ~"
days over sc years of age. He leaves
to mourn his loss, his beloved wife and
one sister, Mrs. Fannie Wilson OF
High Point, North Carolina; His
home, his community, his church, and
his friends are infinitely poorer be-
cause of his departure, but also far
richer from their contact with his
CHEEKY, hopeful, vigorous personality.
Peace to his memory.
81 cannot say. and I will not say
That he is dead-he is just away.
"With CHEEKY smile and wave Of
his hand
He has wandered into another land.
"And left us dreaming, how wondrous
fair
It needs must be, since he fingers
there.
"Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of there as the love Of
here.
tsThink of him still as the same. / saw: