TOMLINSON, William D. c1801-1884

TOMLINSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 5/29/2010 at 11:25:14

Wm. D. Tomlinson, c1801-1884

DEATH.

At Osage, Iowa, on Monday, September 8, [1884], at 2:30 A.M., Wm. D. Tomlinson, in the 83rd year of his age.

Our deceased brother's earthly life had a beginning in the interior of Ireland 83 years ago coming October 11. It is more than sixty years since he came to this country as a young man of 22. He was married in New York City in 1825 -- 59 years ago. Inasmuch as he was born in 1801, his life covered about the whole of this grand and progressive century. He was born before ever there was a locomotive or steam railway in Great Britain, and married before ever there was a railroad in the United States. Yes, he was born before there had been any successful steam navigation in England, and six years before the Fulton steamboat made its first trip from New York to Albany [1807].

It is less than fifty years since there was a single telegraph line in the civilized world. We begin to think that the steam has had its day.

Telegraph is quite too slow. Knitting and sewing and mowing and reaping and binding and thrashing and planting and sowing by cunning-fingered machinery have become as familiar as the a, b, c's of life since those closed eyes were first opened to the light. Without any doubt he has passed through the most remarkable period of human history hitherto. It is a privilege to live in such stirring years, when the chief power of man is turned toward productive arts of peace.

Our venerable brother came to the state of Iowa in the year 1856. He came to the county of Mitchell in 1858 -- 26 years ago. Eleven children have been born to their family circle, of whom eight are now living, scattered widely among the states of our union.

We should say that the honest practical utility was the prevailing motive of our brother's life. He was born without an idle hair in his head. His 26 years in Mitchell county were 26 years of labor to the full measure of this strength. In the shop, the farm, or garden, the print of his foot was the tread of one whose heart was glad in toil. It was his motto, to waste naught, but earn much. Did all men do a well the whole land would already be a garden. Would all the young men, and all the voters in Mitchell county do as well, then Mitchell county would become the banner county of 42 states. Now, I think it is a great achievement to live so long and spend the whole of life wisely and well. And I think that our brother tried to be useful from religious motives.

He was born into the English church, but conviction soon led him into the Presbyterian church in New York City as an ardent member. But in 1829-55 years ago-after careful study of the Bible as expounded by the writings of Rev. Hosea Bellou, he became a lifelong Universalist. He was among the first to form the Osage Universalist church in August, six years ago-1878.

Certainly his blameless life would have been an ornament to any church, and we are thankful that it was devoted to ours. What he believed, he believed heartily and with all his might. The very tones of his voice carried conviction of his reliability in all departments of duty or opinion. he did despise time -- serving and shams of conduct and doctrine. His whole life was a rebuke to those who play "hide and seek" with religion and want none of it except for its respectabilities. His religion was eminently cheerful.

In the lingering pains of his last sickness, he talked of the beauty of the world and the supreme goodness and kindness of his heavenly Father. No shadow of a doubt seemed ever to cross his mind as to the blessed and everlasting felicity of the children of God. Religion was a daily theme of talk and a wellspring of perpetual joy. And such a man may well be trusted as a husband and a father and a neighbor and a citizen.

He may be often in the wrong; but back of all it will be easy to believe that he intended right. And among all who may hope to enter the mansions of our Father's house, surely we may count Wm. D. Tomlinson as one. I have no idea that he would tremble at the roll call of the saints. Rather he would look the elders of the heavenly clearly in the eye and ready to respond. Of such an one we may say "Peace to his ashes."

[Submitted to IaGenWeb 2005 - Marilyn Oconnor]