Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 November 1908 — JAY W. WILLIAMS OBITUARY [ARTICLE]

JAY W. WILLIAMS OBITUARY

Jay Wesley Williams, son of Joseph J. and Jane S. Williams, was born at Marion, Ohio, April 14, 1845, and died at Rensselaer, Ind., Nov. 17, 1908, at the age of 63 years, 7 months and 3 days. He grew to manhood in his native town and from there enlisted in the 136th Ohio Volunteers in 1864, when he was only 19 years of age. Of his father's family of five children, three sons and two daughters, all lived to adult age but one daughter, who died in infancy. The father died when the children were yet small and the oldest brother, John 8., become to- the youngsr members of the family as the head of the household. This brother, after a long and painful Illness, died Oct. 29, 1908, at Bellfountain, Ohio. The remaining two children of his father’s family are Mrs. Mary B. Stokes, of East Hampton, N. Y., who, on account of feeble health, was not able ■to be present at the funeral and Mr. James J. Williams, of Cleveland, Ohio. At the close of the war, Mr. Williams went to Logansport, Ind., and engaged in the hardware business for a short time. In 1870 he removed to Kentland and engaged again in the hardware business where he made his home for thirteen years. June 29, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Cordelia Makeever at Rensselaer. In 1883 they moved to this city, where he has continued to reside ever since. When first coming here he entered the bank of his father-in-law, Mr. John Makeever, but about 20 years ago he engaged in the furniture business, and -later, on account of failing health, he withdrew entirely from the bank, and gave his time to tris furniture business which he maintained until his death. One daughter has blessed their marriage union, Mrs. Mamie Porter, of Chicago. Mr. Williams was a member of the city council at the time of his death and prior thereto he was a member of the county council. Always an active man and ready to serve the public in any capacity. He was a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and also the G. A. R. When a young man in his native city while yet in his teens, he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and it was probably in this relation that he has rendered the most conspicious service to the community and the world. He was always and everywhere greatly interested in the work of the chtrch. For more than, thirty years he was an efficient officer and trusted counselor of the church, faithful and true to all its Interests, the unfailing friend of the pastor, and above all, giving to' the church and the world a life

that rang true to the principles of righteousness. , For six years he was the Sunday school superinendent of this church and for many years, as at the time of his death, he was a teacher of the school. He was financial secretary of the official board for many years and on him perhaps, more than on any other member of the board of officers, developed the labor of looking after the financial work of the church. Until falling health somewhat interfered he acted as usher and was always present to greet and welcome with a smile all who came. From the family alter in the home there went with him out through all the relations of ( church life and social life, and in business and public life a spirit that showed him the true Christian man that he professed to be. Withal a timid and sensitive man, but one alto serve in any relation.

The death of his oldest brother, whom he greatly reverenced, occpring less than three weeks ago following a long and painful illness, during which he visited him several times, together with his own rapidly failing health dating from a severe sickness of a year ago, seemed to weigh heavily upon him. Since his return from his brother's funeral he was observed to be hardly himseli. On the morning of his death he had received a letter from an esteemed cousin that had reviewed and called up to his mind the death of his brother and everything connected with it. In his condition of health of body and mind,, he was unable to bear it, and in an unguarded moment reason deserted her throne and the disaster had come. We should think of him as he was in health, the noble and true man that came and went with us through all these years and never a breath of distrust regarding his fidelity. This then is oUr comfort as it is .that of the grief stricken family. The memory of a noble, true and pure Christian man, the noblest work of God. Adapting somewhat the lines of the greatest English poet we could say: “Could we but minister to a mind diseased, Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow Raze out the written troubles of the brain, And write some sweet oblivious antidote. Cleanse the bosom of that perilous stuff, Which weighs upon the heart” But this too often, also, we can not do. We shall, meet him again when the shadows pass, and then we shall know him as we have known. ♦ •