Thomas Henry Jeys (1864-1934)

JEYS, LEWIS, HIGHSMITH, SWITZER, KELSO, BURWELL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From Nevada Evening Journal June 12, 1934 (page 1)

MEMORIAL SERVE FOR CRASH VICTIM

MANY FRIENDS GATHERED FOR SERVICES FOR LATE ELDER JEYS

Memorial services for T. H. Jeys, 70, Nevada man who met a tragic death when his motor car was struck by a Northwestern train of the Eighth street crossing here, on Thursday morning, where held at the Seventhday Adventist church Sunday morning.

Owing to the condition of the body it had not been possible to postpone interment until the arrival of the relatives from a distance. Friday at 2:00 a special prayer service was held at the grave, attended by the relative and close friends and conducted by Elder K. L. Gant, assisted by Elder B. A. Scherr.

Sunday morning at 10 o'clock a special memorial service was conducted. A full house of relatives and friends were there to show their respect for this departed relative and friend. Many of the workers came in from over the state to take part in this memorial service. The officiating minister was Elder Charles Thompson, president of the Missouri conference, who had been a long time friend of the family. He was assisted by Elder R. S. Fries, president of the Iowa Conference, Dr. J. F. Morse of the Iowa Sanitarium and Elder Stemple White, pastor of the Davenport church.

The following obituary of Elder Jeys was prepared by Elder K. L. Gant.

"Thomas Henry Jeys was born in Warren county, Iowa, January 21, 1864 and died in Nevada, Iowa, on Thursday, June 7th, 1934 as a result of a grade crossing accident. Being born in a Seventh-day Adventist home he accepted the faith of his father at the age of 19. As a young man Elder Jeys took up active work in the message as colporteur during the summer months, teaching public school in the winter. Having become acquainted with Miss Nettie Louis [should be Lewis], of Missouri Valley, they were united in marriage March 3, 1889. There was born to this union two boys and two girls, who are all faithful members of the Seventh-day Adventist church.

"Elder Jeys, having demonstrated to his brethren his ability as a minister, was granted missionary license in 1894 and was ordained to the gospel ministry two years later in Des Moines. He labored for a number of years as minister in different parts of the state but in 1902 it seemed the time had come - ---- advanced denominational school work in the state and Elder Jeys was chosen as the firs principal of our academy at Stuart, Iowa, which later became Oak Park Academy now at Nevada. He served in this capacity for two years. In 1904 he was elected president of the North Carolina conference in which capacity he served in North and South Carolina until 1915 when he was called as Bible teacher of the Oakwood Junior college. Elder Jeys ws a faithful Bible teacher in Oakwood, Alabama; Plainview, S. D. and Oak Park, Iowa. He was always very popular among his students many of whom can recall until the day of the strong spiritual power he had over them.

---- then he has been pastor and district manager of a number of places in the state of Iowa. In 19-- he was called to the pastor of the local Nevada Seventh-day Adventist church and ------ ------- of the Iowa Sanitarium. He was also a member of the executive board of the conference, sanitarium and academy.

It seems providential that Elder Jey should give -- -- -------ting sermon the last Sabbath of his life which message will linger --- on the minds of the Nevada members. On Thursday morning of his death he conducted the regular worship at the sanitarium after which he returned to his home and was leaving for an errand across town when his car was struck, while crossing the Northwestern track by a special East bound train traveling at a high rate of speed. The car was totally demolished and the body was badly mutilated.

Elder Jey leaves to mourn his death wife, four children, George H. Jeys, A----win, Calif., Earl F. Jeys, Pomeroy, Iowa; Mrs. Hazel H. Highsmith, Gainsville, ----, Mrs. Ruth A. Switzer, Nashville, Tenn.; three brothers and two sisters, Samuel F. Jeys, Lincoln, Neb.; David L. Jeys, Lehigh, Iowa; Mrs. Bessie Kelso, Wayne, S. D., Mrs. Louisa Burwell, Newton, Nebr., Joseph L. Jeys, Ft. Dodge, Iowa.

Elder Jeys was a man of [The remainder of the article is unreadable.]