Wilhite, Thomas J. 1848-1909

WILHITE, TOWNSEND

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 9/19/2015 at 14:05:18

Carroll Sentinel, July 13, 1909

THOMAS J. WILHITE
AFTER PROTRACTED ILLNESS
Died at His Home Saturday Night From Cancer.
His Disease Baffled Medical Skill.

After long weary months of patient suffering, Thos. J. Wilhite is at rest. His days were full of trouble and for many weeks he knew that all of life that remained for him would be such as to bring nothing but pain and restlessness. Yet under these conditions, he remained hopeful and bore his burdens with a patience that showed he had hope in a future, where he would be free from pain and his weary spirit might find rest.

For several years he had been failing in health, gradually growing weaker as the ravages of the disease slowly made headway and undermined his once strong and rugged physical constitution. He remained faithful at his post of duty attending to his work until last November. Then he went home hoping to be out again in a few days. In this he was disappointed. He never sufficiently recovered to be around again. He was taken to the hospital where he underwent a thorough examination with the hope of having an operation performed if there proved any chance for relief. The physicians were of the opinion that there was little hope of affecting anything like a permanent cure and in his condition and age in life an operation would be extremely dangerous.

After remaining at the hospital for a number of weeks, he was taken to his home where he remained until the end. He continued to grow weaker and weaker. Gradually his strength failed and for several days past it was evident to all that the time was drawing near when his weary spirit would be at rest. His death was a shock to the community though it was well known that those having him in care, had abandoned all hope of his recovery.

T. J. Wilhite was a well known citizen of this city and entered fully into the activities of its business life. He was a jovial well met man with a good and kindly disposition and surrounded himself with many friends who remained true and loyal to him through his great misfortune and now that he is dead, sincerely mourn his loss. He was an active member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow orders and in them held many offices of responsibility and took great pride in the faithful discharge of his duties.

During the years he was a resident of this city, he was engaged in the real estate business and was among the successful men and bore the reputation of being honest and never resorted to questionable methods in order to advance his own interests.

T. J. Wilhite was born in Linn Co., Iowa. When a boy he moved with his parents to Bureau county, Ill. From there the family returned to Iowa and located in Jones county. In 1878 he moved to Lake City and was united in marriage to Miss Eva Townsend of that city. The next year they came to Carroll and for a few months had charge of the National hotel. After remaining here a short time they moved to Scranton, where they made their home until 1892 when they moved to Mississippi. After two years in the South, Mr. Wilhite and family returned to this city, where he engaged in the real estate and insurance business and continued to follow this until his death.

To this union were born three children, two of whom died in childhood and were buried at Scranton. The other one was married to Alton Bryan and makes her home in this city. Besides the daughter, he is survived by his wife, who has watched over him during his protracted illness with true womanly devotion and now that he is gone she is bowed with grief.

The deceased is survived by a brother, E. M. Wilhite and two nephews, Walter and Elbert Wilhite of Emmetsburg and two nieces both of this city, Mrs. B. B. Robinson and Mrs. W. M. Moore, all of whom were present at the funeral.

The arrangements for the funeral were in charge of the Masonic and Odd Fellows, he being a member of both orders. The services were conducted by Rev. J. W. Taylor of the Methodist church after which the remains were taken to Scranton where they were laid to rest beside his two daughters.

In the death of Mr. Wilhite, a good citizen passes to his reward. The bereaved wife and relatives have the sincere sympathy of the community in their sad hour of bereavement.
===================================

Carroll Times, July 15, 1909

DEATH CLAIMS T. J. WILHITE
Popular Insurance and Real Estate Man Called Hence Saturday Night—Suffered of Pelvic Cancer Since Early Last Winter.

It was well known for some time that T. J. Wilhite, one of this city’s most popular insurance and real estate men, was very low with a cancerous affliction, the internal nature whereof, affecting delicate organs, made it almost surely fatal from the start. Last winter he had gone to the hospital with the hope of relief. The writer visited him there and found him cheery, full of praise for the Sisters to whom he wished to show his especial appreciation. He expected then to be able shortly to return to his business at the office. He came home in a little while later, never to leave it alive. His condition developed into that stage where the sufferer realized that the end must come ere long. He faced the inevitable with calm and prepared his affairs with care and the aim to leave his loved ones as little care as possible. In spite of sufferings, of the weakening conditions growing out of the illness, he remained patient and considerate of those about him. The end came as a balm to the weary spirit and the body worn out with pain.

T. J. Wilhite was born in Linn Co., Iowa, but while a boy his parents removed to Bureau Co., Ill. Later they returned, locating in Jones Co. In 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Townsend of Lake City, and the next year they came to Carroll where for a few months they conducted the National hotel. Shortly after they went to Scranton where they resided until 1892, when they left for the state of Mississippi, but remained there only two years and then returned here. As stated above Mr. Wilhite followed the real estate business after locating here and proved quite successful in his line.

The funeral services were conducted at the home Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, Rev. J. W. Taylor officiating. The remains were then taken in charge by the Mason and Odd Fellows lodges of this city, of which organizations departed was an honored and respected member, and in charge of a delegation, taken to Scranton for burial, where as he had wished, he was laid to rest aside of two little daughters who passed away many years ago.

There survive the departed his sorrowful widow and their only daughter, Mrs. A. E. Bryan of this city; also his brother, E. M. Wilhite of this city; two nephews, Elbert Wilhite of Emmetsburg and Walter of this city; and two nieces, Mesdames B. B. Robinson and W. M. Moore, both of this city, all of whom were present at the funeral.

Thomas Wilhite has been called away when it seemed as though many happy years were still in store for him, to spend with his beloved wife and daughter. The wisdom of the divine decree which removed him from our midst, passeth all our understanding. Hearts of loved ones are wrung with unspeakable anguish and we vainly seek to convey the solace to assuage their woe. Their sorrow is ours, for Tom’s cheerful smile, glad greeting and warm clasp of the hand are missed by all who knew him, and they are not barred by lines of nationality nor creed. The many joining us today in sorrow at the loss of our friend, are of all classes, conditions, belief and affiliations. Together we mourn that we shall behold him no more with mortal eyes; united in the feeling of human brotherhood, we cherish the fond hope that we shall meet again, for:
“The steps of the good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not utterly cast down.”
And:
“The tree hath hope, if it be cut down, it becometh green again.”

So our friend, we fervently believe, beyond the dark valley of Death shall rise, free from his ills, in the glory of an immortal life.
=====================

Carroll Times, July 22, 1909

Local and Personals:
Mrs. T. J. Wilhite and family desire to thank everyone who so kindly assisted them during the illness and death of their beloved husband and father.
=====================