OBITUARY: Wm. D. Tomlinson, c1801-1884, Mitchell County, Iowa




                           
                           Wm. D. Tomlinson

DEATH.
At Osage, Iowa, on Monday, September 8, [1884], at 2:30 A.M., Wm. D.
Tomlinson, in the 83rd year of his age.

Our deceased brother's earthly life had a beginning in the interior of
Ireland 83 years ago coming October 11.  It is more than sixty years since
he came to this country as a young man of 22.  He was married in New York
City in 1825 -- 59 years ago.  Inasmuch as he was born in 1801, his life
covered about the whole of this grand and progressive century.  He was
born before ever there was a locomotive or steam railway in Great Britain,
and married before ever there was a railroad in the United States.  Yes, he
was born before there had been any successful steam navigation in England,
and six years before the Fulton steamboat made its first trip from New York
to Albany [1807].

It is less than fifty years since there was a single telegraph line in the
civilized world.  We begin to think that the steam has had its day.
Telegraph is quite too slow.  Knitting and sewing and mowing and reaping
and binding and thrashing and planting and sowing by cunning-fingered
machinery have become as familiar as the a, b, c's of life since those
closed eyes were first opened to the light.  Without any doubt he has
passed through the most remarkable period of human history hitherto.  It
is a privilege to live in such stirring years, when the chief power of
man is turned toward productive arts of peace.

Our venerable brother came to the state of Iowa in the year 1856.  He came
to the county of Mitchell in 1858 -- 26 years ago.  Eleven children have
been born to their family circle, of whom eight are now living, scattered
widely among the states of our union.

We should say that the honest practical utility was the prevailing motive
of our brother's life.  He was born without an idle hair in his head.  His
26 years in Mitchell county were 26 years of labor to the full measure of
this strength.  In the shop, the farm, or garden, the print of his foot was
the tread of one whose heart was glad in toil.  It was his motto, to waste
naught, but earn much.  Did all men do a well the whole land would already
be a garden.  Would all the young men, and all the voters in Mitchell
county do as well, then Mitchell county would become the banner county of
42 states.  Now, I think it is a great achievement to live so long and
spend the whole of life wisely and well.  And I think that our brother tried
to be useful from religious motives.

He was born into the English church, but conviction soon led him into the
Presbyterian church in New York City as an ardent member.  But in 1829-55
years ago-after careful study of the Bible as expounded by the writings of
Rev. Hosea Bellou, he became a lifelong Universalist.  He was among the
first to form the Osage Universalist church in August, six years ago-1878.
Certainly his blameless life would have been an ornament to any church, and
we are thankful that it was devoted to ours. What he believed, he believed
heartily and with all his might. The very tones of his voice carried
conviction of his reliability in all departments of duty or opinion. he did
despise time -- serving and shams of conduct and doctrine. His whole life
was a rebuke to those who play "hide and seek" with religion and want none
of it except for its respectabilities.  His religion was eminently cheerful.

In the lingering pains of his last sickness, he talked of the beauty of
the world and the supreme goodness and kindness of his heavenly Father.  No
shadow of a doubt seemed ever to cross his mind as to the blessed and
everlasting felicity of the children of God.  Religion was a daily theme
of talk and a wellspring of perpetual joy.  And such a man may well be
trusted as a husband and a father and a neighbor and a citizen.

He may be often in the wrong; but back of all it will be easy to believe
that he intended right.  And among all who may hope to enter the mansions
of our Father's house, surely we may count Wm. D. Tomlinson as one.  I have
no idea that he would tremble at the roll call of the saints.  Rather he
would look the elders of the heavenly clearly in the eye and ready to
respond.  Of such an one we may say "Peace to his ashes."



    Copyright 2005 - Marilyn Oconnor