WISE, William

WISE, DOUGLAS, FLIGG

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/12/2016 at 04:28:52

DEATH'S DECREE.

William Wise, An Old and Respected Citizen of Van Buren County, Passes Away.

The ranks of the old settlers of Van Buren county have been invaded by the ruthless had of death and Mr. Wm. Wise has passed to his eternal rest. On Sunday morning, Sept. 23, Mr. W.M. Wise, whose life had been hanging, as it were, in a balance, quietly and peacefully sank to rest. The deceased, some three weeks ago, was stricken with pneumonia, so slightly at first, as to scarcely alarm the friends who hoped that he would soon rally from its effects, and finally be restored to health again. But these hopes were not realized. He continued to decline, his body slowly but surely giving way before the subtle advances of the cruel disease. His friends, with aching hearts, saw him gradually passing away, knowing that nothing that they might do would stay the enemy that had marked him for its prey. Yet, while the coming of the pale messenger had been hourly anticipated by the many friends, the pain was no less poignant, nor the grief easier to bear when the final summons came. At about ten o'clock, Sunday morning, the watchers noticed that he was sleeping quite peacefully. And in a moment more the spirit of W.M. Wise had taken its flight. Without a struggle, that quiet Sabbath morning he solved the gseat(great) mystery of life and death and went to his reward. The funeral was held at the home on Tuesday afternoon, and dispite the rain a large concourse of people gathered to pay their last tribute of respect to the deceased and to manifest their sympathy for the afflicted relatives. The services were conducted by Rev. Abbott, pastor of the Harrisburg Baptist church, assisted by Rev. Sutton.

At the conclusion of the services an opportunity was given for the friends to take a last look at the face of one whom they had known and esteemed for so many years. After which the solemn procession was formed and proceeded to the Vale cemetery, where the last sad rites were performed and the remains of William Wise laid to rest till that great day when the grave shall give up its dead, and the reunion of friends shall occur, which will last throughout eternity.

Thus passed to his rest one of the earliest settlers of his and adjoining counties. William Marshall Wise was born in Chester county, Penn., on the 27th day of March, 1828, and at the time of his death was in his 72d years. In 1833 he came with his parents to Columbiana county, Ohio. he spent the years of his younger life in the vicinity of Salem, Ohio, where many friends learned to love and esteem him. In February, 1852, he located in Lee county, Iowa, near the city of Ft. Madison. He was married on April 1, 1852, to Miss Cornelia Douglas of the same place .... county, Iowa, where he resided until his death. There were born to them four children of whom three are now living. Miss Fannie Wise, and Mrs. Carrie Fligg are residents of Denver, Col. Charley Wise resides in Van Buren County. The faithful companion who had so patiently nursed him and ministered to his every want, was almost crushed by the blow, which took from her the husband upon whose strong arm she had leaned for so many years, and whose life had become a part of her very being.

And to her it is no small consolation that her husband left his home fully trusting that a higher and better one awaited him. His clearly expressed faith and hope snatched victory from the grave more than an earthly joy to the bleeding hearts of relatives and friends.

Mr. Wise was an upright, conscientious man, just in his dealings with his fellowmen, and respected by all. He exemplified the spirit of the gospel in that he would suffer wrong in injury at the hands of others rather than to contend for his own rights. The whole character of his quiet, unpretentious life is well summed up in these lines:

"Far from the maddening crowd's ignoble strife,
His sober wishes never learned to stray;
Along the cool, sequestered vale of life,
He kept the noise less tenor of his way.

His work on earth is done; it was "high twelve" with him; all is still- the voice that spoke is silent, the golden cord is severed, the birds sing over another silent home, the white marble keeps silent watch by day and night, the busy old world moves on in sun and shade as before. He is dead. Sweet be his sleep, and glorious his resurrection.

At the hour when the church bells
Ring to call from far and near
Worshipers who love to dwell
In God's house that they may hear
Every Sabbath's earnest message
And sing praises to the Lord;
Where each heart received a blessing
In the study of His Word.

At this hour father left us;
Quietly he passed away,
Going out from painful sickness
Into life's eternal day.

For we know he trusted only
In the Lord, who loves us all,
And we joy that he was ready
When the Master came to call.

We shall miss him, Oh, so sadly,
Yet our loss is but his gain;
And we'll go to meet him gladly
When we need not here remain.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 157, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA