PAUL, Thomas (1836-1902)

PAUL

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 10/22/2018 at 08:38:16

Malvern Leader
Malvern, Mills County, Iowa
June 12, 1902

THOMAS PAUL. Thos. Paul passed to his reward Thursday morning, June 12, after a lingering illness of five weeks duration. The funeral occurred at the M.E. church Friday at 3:30 p.m. and was conducted by Rev. A.E. Slothower assisted by Revs. G.M. Hughes of Atlantic and M.R. Harned of Prescott, former pastors of the deceased. It was a brief but impressive ceremony as each spoke feelingly of the noble life just closed. None in the large audience assembled but felt the truth of all that was spoken and that there was a vacancy in our church, town and community that could not be filled. His was a life that we miss most as we come to feel what his quiet unostentatious help meant to our community.

One of our prominent citizens says of him: “In the death of Thos. Paul, this county in general and this town in particular has suffered a loss that will be felt for many years. As a citizen, as a Christian, and in closer relations of the family he was indeed a man of noble attributes. Coming into this community about thirty years ago with but little money but much energy, he applied himself so well to his business that he had acquired a very comfortable competence and leaves his family well provided for. But more than that and above all that, he has built up a name and reputation for integrity and strict adherence to his convictions that will stand when all the material evidence of his life have fallen into decay. He has set in motion influences for good and examples of straight forward honest dealings that will go on forever in this community. The houses he built and the monument over his grave will grow old and decay but the right thoughts and high motives he set in motion by his upright life will never die and will be to him a perpetual monument. I do not want to eulogize him and this is not eulogy but fact that I speak. Personally I knew him well and always found him on the right side. Vigorous in mind and body, his was a strenuous life and full of good deeds and noble examples. He was a strong tower of strength in his church and gave very liberally of his time and means to its support. He stood for what was right and clean and clear in municipal matters and while it would not be possible for such a character not to arouse opposition it is a beautiful tribute to him that all such united in regret at his death. He suffered intensely for the two weeks previous to his death yet never a single word of complaint to those caring for him; he was patience personified. His mind was perfectly clear to the last and he gave minute instructions as to the settlement of his business and arrangements for the funeral. All of this was done in the same systematic way that he had always directed his affairs in life. I think I voice the common sentiment of this town when I say, “A good man has gone.”

The following obituary was read by Rev. Hughes:

Thomas Paul was born in Cumberland county, Penn., August 31, 1836; died June 12, 1902. He served his country faithfully for four years in the civil war. He was a member of the Methodist church, having united with the church under the pastorate of Rev. W.O. Allen. He served the church in different capacities, and always showed himself able and conscientious. During the last days when to all human appearances, the end was believed to be near, he evidenced the same characteristic Christian fortitude, which for years had distinguished him.

The tenderness of the last goodbye, and the parting counsel will never be forgotten. Those who witnessed that scene could not but realize that a good man was making final arrangements for the journey for which he had long planned.

He spoke of his death as a journey, which would afford eternal rest. It must now, and will ever be a source of comfort to the bereaved, to recall the unmistakable evidence which the devoted husband, father, and brother gave of his ripeness for heaven, his anxiety to go and be with Jesus.

He was a man of quiet but determined energy, and of indomitable perseverance in the discharge of duty. He had lofty ideals, was conscientious in seeking the best interests of the church, the town, or nation. He was strong in powers of intellect and will, great in heart. A man who had the courage of his convictions. He detested the unreal or feigned. Because of the sterner qualities of his nature and the strength and keenness of his intellect, his fearless denunciation of sin and wrong doing, many failed to discover the real warmth and tenderness of his affectionate nature, and the true rich love which he bore to all men.

After months of suffering and failing strength and the later intense pain, in all of which he manifested the strongest Christian patience, surround by his devoted wife and children, he passed on and up to God in full hope of a blessed reward at Jesus’ feet.

“Beyond the toils, the burdens of the day,
Beyond the tempests and the storms of life,
Far from the tumult of the weary way,
Beyond the longing and the ceaseless strife,
Out of the darkness and the gloom of night,
Beyond the bills where shadows never fall,
And far beyond the range of mortal sight,
Rest cometh after all.”