WATKINS, Charles J.: Died 1874

WATKINS

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/15/2016 at 10:47:51

DIED.
WATKINS, - At the residence of John F. Watkins in Vernon township, on April 12th, 1874, of Chronic pneumonia CHARLES J. WATKINS, later of Herkimer Co., N.Y., age 27 years.

The deceased was not in very good health when he left his home in Salisbury, N.Y., Feb. 16th, 1874. He came west anticipating that a change of climate would benefit his health. He brought his family with him, intending to settle here in Iowa. But the truth declaring that God's ways are not our ways was soon made manifest to his anxious friends, for he had just reached the place of his destination when his health began to rapidly fail and all efforts to arrest the disease proved unavailing and in eight weeks from the day he stated to come west his remains were followed to their last resting place. But for the spirit that has fled, death was robbed of all bitterness and gloom; for as the body grew weak the spirit grew strong; and as the minister said at the funeral it was a comfort to sit by the bed side and listen to the words he uttered of love and faith in Jesus of Nazareth, and those who are left to mourn his loss can ever cherish the remembrance, that for him to die was gain.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 243, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA