Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1931-11-26
attended in a body and were hon
orary pallbearers.
Following is the obituary sketch

orary pallbearers.
Following is the obituary sketch
as read at the church:
Franklin Birdwell, eldest son of
Frank B. and Martha Tharp Bar.
rett, was born at Fergus Falls,
Mimi, Sept. 12, 1911, and departed
this life Nov. 20, 1881, aged 20
years, two months and eight days
He is survived by his parents and
the following brothers and sister:
George of O. S. U.; Neill, Galen,
Ruth, Howard and Charles of the
home. One sister, Mary, preceded
him in death July II, 1927. He is
also survived by one grandfather,
several uncles and aunts, and other
relatives and host of friends.
With the poet we can truthfully say
None knew thee but to love thee,
none named thee but to praise. )"
With the exception of one year,
was spent in Morgan county. He
attended school in Deerfield town
ship until ready for high school,
entering M. e M. high school in
1925. Due to a severe attack OF
pneumonia, he was unable to COM
plete his first years work. Resum-
ing his studies the following year,
he graduated in the class of 1880.
Last January he entered 0. 5. u,
where he completed one-half years
work. and where he had planned to
resume his studies in a short time.
Early in the year 1928, he accepted
Christ as his Savior, during the re-
vival services which Rev. Linton
conducted at McConnelsville M. P.
church. Soon after this meeting
he united with the Wesley Chapel
church, where less than three
months later he was elected SUI
perintendent of the Sunday school
and filled this responsible position
with more than ordinary ability for
three years. So great was the con-
fidence of the Sunday school in
him, that his resignation was not
accepted when he entered college,
and he continued to hold office un-
til last April when on account Of
his plans to continue in college he
was excused from service. Birdwell
was blest with many admirable
characteristics, which made him the
beautiful Christian character he
was. He possessed an unusually
sweet and cheerful disposition; he
oh nh Mt
He was courteous to all, especially
to elderly people, a characteristic
so often overlooked by young peo
pie. He was strictly honest and
was never known to cheat in any
way He was a leader in every
thing that stood for the betterment
of his community, courageous and
ready to take his stand on the side
of right, regardless OF what his as
sociates thought or did. He was in
dustrious, and nothing made him
happier than to feel that he was
helping others. During much of
his school life his vacations
were spent in the home where he
early assumed much of the respon-
sibility of the farm work and care
of the younger brothers and sisters.
During the summers of 1928 and
1929 he was engaged in work on
the roads, and was later employed
by the Buckeye Sand and Gravel
Co., where he enjoyed the highest
esteem of his fellow workmen.
Last Friday evening, near the close
Of a perfect autumn day, Birdwell
accidentally slipped into the Mus
kingum river, and in spite of all
human efforts to save him, he went
out to meet the Great Pilot who
bore his spirit home to heaven. Our
hearts are saddened by his pass
ing, yet his influence will ever live
in the hearts of his relatives and
friends, and we humbly say, "Thy
will not ours be done" 80 not in
cruelty, not in wrath, the reaper
came that day; twas an angel Wis
tied the green earth, and took the
flower away"
The death of Birdwell Barrett
this county, and the family has the
heartfelt sympathy of their legion
of friends, in this second tragic
death in their family within recent
years. A daughter, Mary, aged
four, met death in July, 1927, when
a hay ladder fell on her, causing
her to die instantly.