Thomas Christy 1829-1887

CHRISTY, JOHNSON, MEEK

Posted By: Karen Bergquist Uhr, Volunteer
Date: 4/21/2003 at 22:31:05

Obituary

Died--At his residence in Bonaparte, Io., July 11th, 1887, after a lingering illness, Hon. Thomos (sic) Christy.

Deceased was born in New Remley, Harrison Col, Ohio, Nov. 16th 1829--consequently his age at the time of his death was 57 years. 7 mo. and 25 days.

He came to Van Buren County in 1842 and in 1848 to Bonaparte, being at that time engaged on the public works. In 1850 he went to California, and in 1853 returned to Bonaparte. The same year he was elected sheriff of Van Buren county, and after the expiration of his term of office he engaged in the mercantile bussiness (sic). The firm was at first Gregory & Christy; in 1857 it was changed to Christy & Johnson, and afterwards to Christy & McDonald, the present name of the firm. He was also for five years the cashier of the Farmers' and Traders' Bank of Bonaparte.

In 1875 he was elected a member of the Iowa legislature, and while there was instrumental in getting the bill passed to which Van Buren county is indebted for her fine iron bridges. In 1872 he was elected a member of the County Board of Supervisors.

He was married July 24th, 1853 to Miss Sarah C. Johnson, who, with four living children, is left to mourn his departure. Four children died in infancy, and one , Mrs. Gertrude Meek two years ago.

Mr. Christy was a man of public spirit, and to him, not only Bonaparte, but also Van Buren county in indebted for much of its advancement and improvement for this reason, if nothing more, he will be greatly missed. He was the friend of every enterprise that was for the good of the public. Our fine school building, our magnificent bridge, our state bank, our churches, and other improvements bear witness.

His illness was long and painful. Last winter he and Mrs. Christy tried the climate of California and Texas in hopes that he would be benefited by the change but no relief came. During this time, he, especially, truned his thoughts to the future.

He arranged his worldly affairs and committed his soul to his maker. He expressed his faith in the christian religion, acknowledged that he had made manny (sic) mistakes, but expressed the hope that all had been forgiven.

He was heard praying for himself;, for his wife and children, for his sisters, for all his neighbors, and even for his enemies. For the latter he prayed that God would forgive them, even as he had forgiven them. He left this world with hard thoughts toward none of them.

In 1862 the Gov. commissioned deceased Capt. of Iowa militia.

His funeral took palace from his late residence Wednesday July 13th. Rev. Jas. Welce, assisted by Rev. Baldridge, conducting the services. At the grave the Masonic fraternity, of which he had been an honored member performed the burial rites.

Source: Newspaper unknown
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