Clarence Shaffer (1892)

SHAFFER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 1/15/2008 at 08:33:15

The Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, July 8, 1892
Page 7

Obituary

Died, at the parental home in Douglas township, Madison county, Iowa, June 13, 1892; Clarence, second son of Mr. and Mrs. A. V. Shaffer, aged 15 years 2 months and 17 days.

In this noble boy’s tender infant days we formed the acquaintance and mutual friendship of this bereaved and worthy family, and for fifteen years near neighbors and friends we journeyed together through life, rearing our families together up to man and womanhood, and many are the happy associations and greetings we can call to mind at each others home and heard so often the merry shouts and loud laughter of our loved children on the play ground at school and elsewhere. Clarence was a very lively boy, from tender childhood to his death, full of mirth and fun, first and foremost in the games and plays with his school mates, a loved brother, obedient son, running with swift feet at the bidding of the father and mother, helping with willing hands in the many toils and chores of life. We became very much attached to this noble boy. The last two years of his life he was an attendant at the Worthington Sunday school, in which he seemed to take a great interest in the lessons of God’s word and leading the singing, the Sabbath school songs.

We never shall forget the separation from this family. In bidding them good bye and taking our leave from the old neighborhood this noble boy clasped his arms around our neck and kissed us good bye; little did I then think that in the short space of less than three months, I should receive the sad message that Clarence Shaffer was dead and to the many readers of this article, I am frank to say that while reading the sad news, tears flowed down my cheeks like rain drops. Yes, tears of sympathy for the bereaves family, in the loss of a dear friend to me and the loss of a loved child to them and yet dear readers those tears were mingled with tears of joy in the thought of the happy and willing death that he died and the hope of meeting this dear boy in heaven.

On the morning of June 5th he was suddenly and severely taken with inflammation of the bowels. The doctor was called, medical aid given with all that loving hands of the parents, friends and neighbors could do, but to no avail. After eight days of intense suffering, on the afternoon of Monday at three o’clock the happy soul of Clarence Shaffer went to God who gave it.

He was conscious and patient all through his sickness to the moment of his death, expressing a willingness and resignation to go. Thinking he would not get well he wanted to be baptized and requested prayer at his bedside, and would often repeat the Lord’s prayer, and try to sing, “I am so glad that Jesus loves me.” He seemed so glad to see every one that came in to see him, and telling how and where he wanted to be buried, and the arrangement of the funeral. Telling his mother he would rather die and be at rest than to suffer so much and saying to his father they day of his death, while he was holding his loved boy in his arms: “You are the best friend I have got.” Then in about ten minutes before his death he repeated in a clear sweet voice the Lord’s prayer, and bade them all good bye.

Thus died a noble boy, prepared to meet his God, and through the prayers of a loved Christian mother, the lessons in the Sabbath school, and faith in his Savior, and a resignation to do the will of the Heavenly Father, he became a victor at death’s call.

On the following Wednesday the funeral services were held at the house, conducted by the Rev. Sawhill of the U. P. Church. A choir was selected from his day school and Sunday school class, also the pall bearers were his day and Sunday school class mates, who were about his age and size, each dropping into the coffin a bunch of flowers and a last token of love for their school mate. The body was then borne to the Stringtown cemetery, followed by the bereaved friends and a large gathering of neighbors and citizens. There were eighty-two teams, being the largest funeral ever seen in the neighborhood, which shows the esteem and worth this afflicted family is held in.

In conclusion we would say to the father and mother, be resigned to the will of God. In this deep sorrow to Bert and Effie, the elder brother and sister, accept the pardoning love of your Savior, and try to meet your dear brother in heaven; and to dear little Clyde, be a good boy, and may you all make an unbroken family in the better world, where the parting of friends is unknown, is the prayer of your true friend and writer of this article.

In this last tribute of respect to the departed one, it has not been our aim to give undue worth or eulogy to the dead. Our written words and the true ---- of the heart is words of sympathy and comfort to the bereaved, and an admonition to the living, especially to the dear young friends who read this obituary of your departed playmate and schoolmate, remember death is certain, life is uncertain. We make not this declaration to frighten you in regard to death. In our very heart we wish you long life and happiness, only let it be a life of usefulness, and due preparation of heart, to meet thy God, and hoping and praying dear young friends, that through the pardoning love of the blessed Savior you may die the triumphant death of your departed friend and school mate, Clarence Shaffer.

Note: Burial was made in the Stringtown cemetery.

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