William Clanton (1906)

CLANTON, LEVERICH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:02:52

Pocahontas County Sun
Laurens, Iowa
Thursday, June 14, 1906
Page 4, Column 4

William Clanton was born in Illinois March 2nd 1838, was married to Hannah Leverich in 1857, who was called home to rest about six years ago. To this union seven children were born, one dying in infancy, the other six, four sons and two daughters survive. He was a charter member of the Christian Church at Laurens, Iowa, and died June 6th, 1906 at Laurens, age 68 years, 3 months, 4 days. The funeral was held from the Christian church at three o’clock Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. T. F. Odenweller after which the remains were laid to rest beside those of his wife in the Laurens Cemetery.

At the funeral Mr. Odenweller read the following: “The face that lies so peacefully sleeping before us was known to everybody here. There are not many in Laurens who have not felt his warm handclasp nor heard the cheery greeting from these lips that now are so pallid and still. Most of his life has been spent in Iowa and no doubt he would have continued his residence here till the end of the journey had it not been that Aunt Hannah, the sweet, motherly woman, who made a paradise for him, was taken to the Many Mansions, and then the earth no longer had a home for Uncle Billy.

Four stalwart sons were ready with open arms to receive him into their homes. Two daughters tried to make him feel that there was still a home for father, but no the queen of his heart was not there. The Lord had use for her Over There and Uncle Billy could not be content without her, so these last few years he has spent in Dakota. But every few months the old heart hunger became so strong he would return to Laurens only to find after all that it held not for him the gentle presence that made life a joy, and so it continued till the end. A few months ago his health failed. Medical attendance failed to bring relief. He longed for the home faces and he was brought to the home of his son, Joe.

He will be missed by the friends who were many, by the church where he worshipped for so many years, by the relatives who tried to hard to bring back to health their beloved.

Yesterday at noon the gates of the Heavenly City swung open and the ransomed soul of William Clanton entered. He often said to the writer of these lines, “I don’t always do that which is best I know, but I’m trying to so live that I’ll be admitted over there.”

While he loved the Christian Church and its teaching he rejoiced to see good accomplished by any body and last winter during the Methodist revival he rejoiced over the change wrought in some of his old associates.

The longing to again have a home is satisfied, the genial companion, faithful friend, royal neighbor, and above all these, the Christian, brother William Clanton, has entered the Silent Land whither we all are tending. Six children are here to lay away to rest the dear one and while there is grief here that the voice they loved is hushed there is joy on the other side at the home coming.”

“We pass from the clasp of mourning friends,
To the arms of the loved and lost;
And those smiling faces will greet us there
Which on earth we have valued most.”

Link to Gravestone Photo
 

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