Obituary: Catherine Priscilla Smith

Died in this place, April 29th 1863, Catherine Priscilla, daughter of E. J. and J. E. Smith, aged 13 years 11 months and 20 days:

Alas! how mournful come life’s changes
O’er every heart!
Grief haunts the fields where pleasure ranges.
Never apart.
That one short day ah! who had thought
Would such a fearful change have wrought
Disease to thee so deathly fraught –
Little Priscilla?

O, sad the lot to mourn unblest;
But Jesus saith
That he will give the mourner rest
From sin and death.
‘Tis done! ‘tis Past! the bolt hath riven,
And yet this honor God hath given
That you should have a child in heaven
Little Priscilla.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, May 2, 1863

Obituary: Warren G. Middleswart

Died in the hospital at Corinth Miss. April 18th 1863 of Chronic Diarrhea W. G. Middleswart, aged 25 years 6 months.

Bro. Middleswart was a member of Capt. L. Bennett’s Co. 39th regiment Iowa Vol.

He felt it to be his duty to go in to the service of his Country, and after having enlisted though falling sick, he was unwilling to recall his name, and was sworn into the army when unable to sit up in his bed. He was a member of the M. E. church in Oceola, and was a consistent Christian, taking an active part in all the enterprises of the Church. Especially was he faithful in, and fond of the Sabbath School. Many who read this will doubtless drop a tear, when they remember that Warren will be seen there no more. After an illness of about three months, he was discharged from the militant church and army below, to join the blood-washed throng in heaven.

“Servant of God, well done;
They glorious warfare’s past;
The battle’s fought, the race is won,
And thou art crowned at last.
O, happy, happy soul!
In ectacies [sic] of praise,
Long as eternal ages roll,
Thou see’st thy Savior’s face.

E.B.H.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, May 2, 1863

Obituary: Miss Jane Miller

Miss Jane Miller, daughter of Eld, T. Miller of Osceola, Aged 21 years and 11 months in obedience to the call of her Master, departed this life Thursday the 21st of this month.

While this dispensation of Providence is gain to the departed, it sends sorrow and mourning to the family and a large circle of relatives and friends. Society also shares in this loss for Miss Miller was a pattern, well calculated, to lead her associates in paths of virtue and happiness. – Perhaps, however, none will more keenly feel this stroke than the church, of which she was a worthy member, and especially when it is sitting under the droppings of the sanctuary and sees her seat forever left vacant. But while the church mourns, it has also great reason to rejoice that the religion which comforted her in life, was a great solace to her in death, and that she is now sweetly sleeping in Jesus. Jennie in early life obeyed the spirit’s call, and gave her heart to God and has since been a consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. On her dying bed she rejoiced to know that she would soon “depart and be with Christ’ which she thought would be far better.”

Never shall I forget that death bed scene. As I approached her, her face seemed to reflect the glory of heaven; she reached out her hand and said, “Meet me in the better land,” said she, “This is a beautiful day to die.” She told me that death had no terror, and it was the happiest day of her life. Thus died the obedient daughter, the loveing [sic] sister, faithful friend and devoted christian. “Oh, let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like theirs.”

A. A. Mintonye

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, May 30, 1863

Obituary: Isaac Newton Murray

Died of congestion of the brain, March 30th, after an illness of 6 days, Isaac Newton Murray, youngest son of Mr. N. Murray, of this village.

Deceased was a young man of promise being in appearance, previous to the sickness which terminated his life, a perfect specimen of health and manly vigor. His hopes were high; for the future presented to him a bright and glowing picture: But, alas! while yet entering upon the voyage of life, he was overtaken by death, and the pulse which beat with warmth and animation is now cold and still.

Moral, amiable, and of a lively temperament, he endeared himself to all who knew him; but, in the family circle, where his virtues were best known, his vacant chair will long continue to disturb the fountains of grief, which shall bedew his early grave.

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, April 9, 1864