Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, December 15, 1904

VERNON C. RUBY was born in Albany, Mo., Oct. 7, l862, and departed this life at his mother's home in Bethany, Mo., Sunday morning, Dec. 4, l904, at 3 o'clock, after a short illness, aged 42 years, 1 month and 26 days. He had been conducting his business in his stores at Trenton, Mo., up to Wednesday night, though not feeling well. On Thursday friends observed that he was much worse and telephoned to his brothers in Bethany this information; one of them proceeded at once to Trenton, and found him quite delirious though still at his place of business. He was brought to Bethany on the first train, and soon after reaching his mother's home, where all that skilled physicians could do to relieve him, he fell into a deep sleep from which he could not be fully awakened.

He was an energetic and successful business man, and had spent most of his life in mercantile employment. For three years he was associated with J.C. RUBY, his brother, in a store at King City, then for two and one-half years at Bethany. From this city he went to Leon, Iowa, for about one year; thence to Trenton, where he was there associated with his brother, J.C. RUBY, in business. Those who know him best speak of him as an aggressive and successful business man.

About two years ago, under the earnest and able evangelistic service of Dr. Baker in the Methodist Church in this city, he was reclaimed, and united with the church, from which time he had manifested an earnest Christian life, doing what he could wherever he was, to forward the cause. At Leon he was an earnest Epworth League worker, and at Trenton he was thoroughly interested in all the work of the church, especially home missionary interests.

Truly his life was cut short in an unexpected moment, when it seemed he was most useful. God's ways are not our ways, and He knoweth what is best for His own. the sorrow is to his aged and devoted mother, his two brothers and many relatives who mourn his death.

The funeral services were held at the First Methodist Church on Monday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, conducted by Dr. Carothers, assisted by Dr. Simes, of Trenton, Mo., attended by a large concourse of relatives and friends, after which his body was tenderly borne to the Miriam Cemetery and laid by kindred dust.
--BETHANY REPUBLICAN.

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August 7, 2003