Philip Olinger (1850-1922)

OLINGER, SARGENT

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 6/16/2005 at 08:12:31

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, January 12, 1922, page 1, column 5. "PHILIP OLINGER. - Philip Olinger, son of Christopher and Martha (Paton) Olinger, and one of a family of seven children, was born in Cass county, Indiana, February 22, 1850. In very early life he was destined to know what it means to stand alone in the world, for his father died when Philip was a mere child, and his mother passed away also, when he was only thirteen. Working his way and getting an education such as the country schools of that day afforded he quit Indiana when eighteen years old and entered the U. S. army. In this capacity, as a regular soldier, he served Uncle Sam for a period of three years on the great western plains and mountains keeping the Indians in check, when they broke forth upon the war path. After his discharge from the army he returned to his native state, going back to work. On Christmas evening, 1871, he was joined in marriage to Mary Sargent, of Cass county, Indiana, so that their golden wedding occurred on last Christmas day. The couple made their home in Indiana until May, 1908, when they moved to Montrose county, Colorado, where they lived on a ranch for three years, coming to Maxwell in 1911, where they soon became well known as citizens and neighbors, and where Mr. Olinger worked as a barber until about four years ago, when disease, creeping steadily upon him, obliged him to lay down his work. Since that day he was a constant sufferer, until eight weeks before his death he sustained a strong relapse which made him entirely helpless, even to the extent of depriving him of his speech. His death occurred on Sunday morning, January 8th. Had he lived until February 22nd, he would have been seventy two years old. Several years ago, in the meetings held by Evangelist Rayburn, Mr. Olinger was converted and joined the Presbyterian church, faithfully serving __ ___ ___. The marriage not being blessed with children, his wife, Mrs. Mary Olinger, stands by his bier alone, except, as far as know, one sister in Indiana, perhaps surviving him. And yet, not only relatives of the same name, although not closely related, but many friends miss him sorely. Tuesday afternoon the funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church, where the pastor, Rev. J. W. Everds, spoke to an attentive audience from Deut. 24: 5-6 and Psalm 116:15. A mixed choir of ten voices sang beautiful hymns." "Card of Thanks. - I want to express my sincere gratitude to my neighbors and friends for their many kindnesses** shown me through, the sickness and death of my dear husband, also for the beautiful music rendered by the choir and for words of comfort and consolation from friends and for the beautiful flowers. May God's blessing rest upon you all. Mrs. Philip Olinger." **Editorial note - spelling, punctuation and grammar are from the original newspaper article.