Samuel J. Paris

PARIS, GRAY, CILLEY, KENNEDY, REIS

Posted By: Judy Kelley, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/19/2010 at 22:30:22

Source: LCHS scrapbook, "The Republican" newspaper clipping, unknown date.

The REPUBLICAN is called upon this week to chronicle the death of a pioneer settler of Louisa county, Samuel J. Paris, of Pt. Louisa township. He came here in 1840, when the county was almost a wilderness, and has lived to see it transformed into a veritable garden spot. He died Tuesday after an illness of six weeks, but the infirmities of old age had kept him confined to the house for several months.

In his death the community has lost one of its best citizens - a man in every sense of the word. His long life of over four score years had been well spent and it may truthfully be said that the world was made better by reason of his having lived in it. He was loved and esteemed for his high character and worth and in departing he leaves a rich legacy in a well-spent and faithful life. It may be said to his credit that those who knew him best admired him most, and his memory will be revered and his life eulogized by all who knew him and were associated with him in life. He was a christian man, as well as an honest, upright citizen, and a faithful member of the Harrison United Presbyterian church for many years.

The deceased was born in Cumberland county, New Jersey, April 21, 1816, which would make him aged 87 years, 10 months and 24 days. He settled in Louisa county in 1840. On the 27th of March, 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Gray, who survives him. This union was blessed with the birth of seven children, six of whom are now living, and with the exception of one daughter, reside near the parental home. They are: Mrs. W.E. Cilley, Mrs. E.L. Kennedy, A. E., W.J. and Frank, of Port Louisa township, and Mrs. J.M. Reis, of Greenfield, Ohio.

The funeral services will be held from the Harrison church today at 2 o'clock p.m., conducted by Rev. J.P. Nesbit, of Morning Sun, with interment in Harrison cemetery.