FRANCIS MARION HAMILTON

HAMILTON, HENDERSON

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 3/14/2002 at 15:44:43

Decatur County Journal
Thursday, July 6, l9l6

FRANCIS MARION HAMILTON, called from the church militant to the triumphant. After a few weeks' illness, that from its inception, impressed him that it was his last. Years ago he had set his house in order and has walked in the shadow of the cross of Christ. His home was always open to the minister and the writer has enjoyed the warm hospitality of his fireside and has been enriched by his brotherly council. He was preeminently a leader of church work in his community, generous to a fault and devout in every day life. A four square man wherever you found him. His children rise up and call him blessed and the neighbors speak his praise. The River View Church and house are a part of his monument to the passerby. That great crowd of sympathizing neighbors that came from far and near Tuesday, June 27, A.A. l9l6, at l0 a.m., were a living testimony of his worth and worthiness. A congregation in tears, a heartfelt sorrow on every face, the music sweet and tender, the lesson the 9lst Psalm, text Rom. l: 38 and 9 verses. Christ's undying love for his children.
It was a melancholy pleasure for us to speak of such a man to such an audience. The watchers often thought him dead while he slept and seemed but asleep as he lay in his coffin.

Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep from which none ever wake to weep. The parting look was taken and loving hands and tender hearts laid him to rest in the Hamilton Cemetery. A parcel of ground given for this purpose by his father, one mile northwest of Pleasanton, Iowa.
This briefly is the biography of one who has filled a large place in the world's betterment and uplift for Christ and His Kingdom. May the Lord in His inscrutable providence, bless and guide all that are bereft in this death, is the prayer of my heart, and especially the aged and afflicted wife and help her to lean hard on Jesus. Yes, for Jesus sake.

FRANCIS HAMILTON was born in Platte County, Mo., August l5, l845, and died in New Buda Township, Decatur County, Iowa, June 25, l9l6. He was the thirteenth child of WILLIAM and SUSSANNA HAMILTON, one of the pioneers of this part of the state, coming here before the land was surveyed and had a township named in his honor. He enlisted in Company M, 3rd Iowa Cavalry, in February, l864, and received an honorable discharge. He was married to MISS ELIZABETH HENDERSON in l866. Six children were the fruit of this union. He and the wife have lived on this farm for more than 50 years sharing together its joys and sorrows. He leaves his aged and enfeebled wife, with 6 children, l8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, and a host of friends to mourn his death, peace to his sleeping dust. We shall not see his like again soon.

An old Pastor and brother in Christ,

--J.H. BURROWS.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
March l2, 2002