Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1917 — Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 [ADVERTISEMENT]

JAMES F. HEMPHILL OBITUARY The death of James Franklin Hemphill, which occurred Oh October 15. 1917, in Rensselaer, removed one of the city’s oldest settlers. His family came here in December, 1861, where his father joined the Union army. “Jim” Hemphill was a man without guile; simple and direct, generous and kindly, his wit was keen and swift, his optimism a tonic; these stirring attributes of fine manhood had enduring qualities, that lasted to the end. It was the stout heart of the brave that beat within him which enabled him to carry his optimism to the grave, in the face of an incurable affliction. Within the circle in which he lived he has bequeathed a heritage in cheerfulness and,-. generosity; these, traits have left tk him a legion of sorrowing friends. The deceased, son of Samuel and Sarah A. Hemphill, was born in Hunterstown, Allen county, Indiana, July 26, 1850. He moved with ■his family to Rensselaer in 1861, and remained here until he was eighteen years of age, when he engaged in the service of the Rock Island railroad as a trainman. He soon changed his employment, and learned to run an engine and early in life was given charge of passenger runs where thousands of lives were held in his. keeping during these years. He was always considered one of the safect men at the throttle, and in thirty years of service never had a wreck; no man, woman or child ever came to harm with “Jim” (Hiemphill in charge. His thirty years’ clear record was considered remarkable by railroad men. Mr. Hemphill was married October 19, 1892, to Jennie M. Wolf, at Pullman, Illinois. Four children were born to this union, James W., who is a private in Company A, 132nd ;U. S. infantry, now located in the training camp at Fort Logan, near Houston, Texas; Sarah Elizabeth, the older daughter, who died at the home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, August 13, 1916; Margaret Bessie and Edna Margaret. The son and two younger daughters, and the wife are left to mourn the passing of a loving and devoted husband and father, and a brother, John B. Hemphill, of North Platte, Nebraska, and his only sister, Mrs. Margaret E. Honan of this city, also survive. Mr, Hemphill was soundly converted late in life and kept the faith. His friends have the blessed comfort of a knowledge that “All is well with his soul.” xx

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