Jno. Valentine McGraw 1877-1885

MCGRAW

Posted By: Melissa Mayhew Grandt (email)
Date: 4/18/2009 at 21:24:32

Williamsburgh Journal, Williamsburgh (Iowa Co.), Iowa, 9 October 1885.

Inscribed to the Memory of
JNO. VALENTINE MCGRAW, son of JOHN and DELPHIA L. MCGRAW, who died at Parnell, Iowa, Oct. 2nd, 1885, aged 8 yrs. 4 mo. and 16 days.

Those who knew little Val well, loved him with an affection but ittle less than parental.

His bright curly locks, his earnest yet ingenious expressions; his feminine features; his cheerful and confiding manner -- all were a theme for discussion by older persons who knew him intimately.

Though a fond father and mother shall sadly miss him; though sorrowing friends plant forget-me-nots over his grave; yet, beyond this Vale of Tears, in the bright Elysin of heaven,s choir, we believe that one little saintly cherub has donned the apparel of angels, and ever amid the celestial shall dwell.

Dearest Val! how sad and lonely!
Father, mother, Verney too
Feel thy absence; wert thou only
Conscious of our grief so true.
Thou wouldst tarry yet awhile,
And wouldst soothe us with thy smile;
Even though we knew that you
Soon should leave us for thy new
And happy home where dwell
God's own angels -- thy farewell
Then might grieve us, yet the pang
Ne'er on us its weight should tell
So heavily, whilst with cherubim you sang.
Good-bye darling, our own treasure!
How can we in rythmic measure
Ever tell the gentleness and grace?
Can we bridge the chasm eternal
And, mid wreaths and flowers vernal,
Ever hope to see thy face?
Yes, in faith, again we see thee
Happy, true and faithful still,
Longing, looking for our coming,
Praying that we meet no ill.

T.J. "S."