Here is the obituary copy which I found in my Aunt Bonnie's papers that I mentioned in the post Those Collaterals. Remember, I said it was the first thing I looked at in those documents. William C. DeHart was a brother to my 2nd great grandfather George Jackson DeHart. Enjoy this read. I don't really even know how to describe the flowery language. It is just very different from obituaries of today and even of some other obituaries which are as old.
Obituary
William C. DeHart was born in Union, Monroe County, West Virginia January 24, 1832; died at the family home near Lake City, Iowa March 9, 1912 thus making his earth habitation 80 years, 1 month and 15 days. He was one of a family of ten children, all of whom were professed Christians and four of them had preceded him to the celestial shore.
He was reared on a farm among the hills and the then wilds of West Virginia, where educational advantages were very meager. Yet in the midst of these circumstances he resolved to make the very best of his life, and by lending his influence to the noble things of his day soon won for himself the respect and esteem of all who knew him. While yet a boy he became a friend to all and a welcome visitor in every home. When he arrived at his maturity he had equipped himself with those noble virtues that so beautifully fitted him for the noble life that he so well spent in service to his fellow beings.
He was married to Miss Elizabeth Skaggs of his own community in October, 1853. To this union were born two children and they were a happy family until God in his infinite wisdom saw fit to call his loving companion to the Heavenly city. This occurred near the beginning of the great Civil war when he, like other noble citizens of his day, was not disobedient to "his country's call". Loyal and brave, he shouldered his musket and marched in defense- I say it, yes I will - marched in defense of his country. This I say because he was associated with a people who were loyal and brave sons of the South, who were fighting for what honest hearts told them was a righteous cause. During the war he was captured and for months suffered the hardships of prison life until about a month before the surrender, he was released, being more dead than alive
April 15, 1863 he was again married, to Miss Mary E. Cooper of Pulaski county, Virginia, who proved to him a loving and affectionate companion the remainder of his life's journey. To this union were born three children, who together with the two children by former marriage, have been a great pleasure to him during the declining years of his life.
In 1866 he moved to Somers county, West Virginia, where he lived until the fall of 1887, when he moved to Iowa, stopping on a farm about five miles from Lake City, where he lived until 1900, then moved to the present home, where he passed a happy life until the Lord saw fit on Saturday morning about 11 o'clock to open the wings of the cherubim and call him home.
In his early life he became a Christian and voluntarily enlisted in the Master's service. As a Christian soldier he was a welcome visitor in every home His presence brought peace to the troubled, pleasure to the distressed and comfort to the sorrowing. His ear was sensitive to the call of his neighbor, his eye was keen and could see afar off the welfare of his brethren. His feet were always ready to go upon errands of mercy. Such noble characters never die, but "Oh, how are the mighty fallen."
For many months he has been growing weaker and more tired, patiently ,but anxiously awaiting the summons that would call him to his reward. He was confined to his bed for only a few days. Kind and loving hands did all that could be done for his comfort and to restore him, but his race was run, his earthly end had come, and without a struggle he steeped into the chariot of death and the horseman bore him to the arms of Jesus.
He leaves to mourn his loss a loving and devoted wife, five affectionate children-Sam DeHart of Ottumwa, Mrs. Rose Boyer of Lowell, West Va., Rufus DeHart, Martin DeHart and Mrs. Allie Sievert all of near Lake City. Also there are sixteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren, a large family connection and a multitude of sorrowing friends, with all of whom we want to sympathize in this their sad hour of bereavement.
The parting indeed is hard to bear, but let us be comforted in the knowledge that our loss is his gain, and should he be permitted to speak to us at this moment we might hear him say, "Nay, do not weep, my joy is complete and you will all come soon."
A large body of friends gathered at the family residence Monday at one o'clock and accompanied the sorrowing friends to the Baptist church, where the funeral services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. T.A. Searcy, from whence the remains were followed to Lake City cemetery and there laid in the silent city of the dead.
Whew!
I am thinking about my grandmother, the one pictured in the Featured Post, on the right hand side of the page. William was the brother of her grandfather, George Jackson DeHart. William died in 1912 when my grandmother was around 12, and they lived in the same small community. I don't think it is too much of a leap to assume she knew her great-uncle. I almost get the chills when I think of someone I knew knowing these ancestors whom I am just discovering.
The Featured Post changes periodically. I mentioned that my grandmother is pictured there. However, this will not be the case eventually when another post is featured.
