Absalom Raley 1822-1905

RALEY, JOHN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 1/9/2019 at 09:12:24

4 May 1905 - West Branch Times

Absolom Raley was born April 12, 1822, in Columbiana county, Ohio, and died at his home in Springdale, Iowa, April 29, 1905. April 22, 1852, he was married to Mary John, in the state of Ohio. They came to Iowa in May, 1852, stopping for two months at Springdale, and then locating in Johnson county, near Solon. There they remained for thirteen years, and then came to Springdale, where they have continued to make their home. For two years and a half they resided on their farm, about one mile west of Springdale, and then they moved into the village, and brother Raley entered the mercantile business.

Four daughters came to this home to gladden their hearts--Clara Y., Luella M., Zadella S., and Hannah Francis. Their children were early called from this home, to enter the heavenly home on high. One by one the Father gathered them to himself until the last one was taken. This home has been the scene of repeated sorrows. Surely our sister, in her multiplied bereavements, knows what it is to walk through the valley where the earthly shadows are! But God is her strength and underneath are the everlasting arms. Brother Raley has been a Christian many years. They united with the Methodist church in Springdale, in the year 1888, during the pastorate of Rev. Brother Craft. For many years our departed brother has been a trustee in the church and a teacher of the Bible class in the Sunday school. He was devoted and faithful to the church and the work assigned him. It was a rare exception that he was absent from the church service. He has been so long a resident of this village, that he came to be looked upon as almost a necessary part of the community. This familiar figure will be sadly missed in Springdale. During the brief days of his illness, it would have been a satisfaction to his friends if he had been able to have conversed with them, and left some farewell messages, which would have been cherished, especially by his bereaved wife, as a sweet memory. But the disease was of such a nature that it was with great difficulty that he could speak even a word or two at a time. But we all know his life, which speaks of faith in God and of an upright Godly life. God has permitted him to live to a good old age. Brother and Sister Raley celebrated their fifty-third marriage anniversary, Saturday, April 22. His warfare is now over. The last battle is fought and victory won. He has heard the welcome, "Well done." He has entered his heavenly mansion. The sympathy and prayers of all these friends go out in their deepest sincerity for sister Raley who is now left without husband and without children. But she has learned whence her strength cometh. God is the comfort of heart and her portion forever. Thank God for the Christian's faith that lifts him up and causes him to triumph in the time of affliction. This life is but a brief day, and then eternity is ours. W.B.D.

The funeral services were held in the M.E. church, at Springdale, Monday morning, May 1, at ten o'clock. The services were largely attended by sympathizing neighbors and friends. Rev. W. B. Davis, the pastor, was assisted in the service by Rev. F. M. Harrington. The text of the funeral discouse was taken from Numbers, 23-10--"Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end by like his."