Obituary of Robert A MITCHELL, Crawford County, Illinois This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Jim Admire This obituary was sent to me. I have no connection to anyone listed herein or no further information about them. REV. ROBERT A. MITCHELL THE Kansas Journal speaking of the death of Mr. Mitchell of which brief mention was made last week says: although complaining some he preached at Ashmore Sabbath, which proved to be his farewell sermon and closed his ministerial labors upon earth, after a successful Gospel work of many years and a faithful ministry. He united many hears in sacred bonds of matrimony, and always in a beautifully impressive manner; he has ministered the sick and dying in scores of homes in this and surrounding neighborhood, and buried many of your dead, speaking cheer to mourning hearts and warning to the living; but his work is done. He ate supper Monday evening but continued suffering from severe kidney or bright's disease, which terminated in paralysis of the brain; in his intense suffering, the physician administered opiate Tuesday morning and he passed into an unconscious stupor from which he never recovered. Mr. Mitchell was born in Jonesboro, Tenn., April 6th, 1819, died Dec. 14th ! 1886, aged 67 years, 8 months and 8 days. He leaves a widow , four sons and one daughter to mourn their sad loss and who have the sympathy of this community; for while they have lost a loving husband and kind father, this people realize the loss of a valued and much honored citizen. While the writer was not so long acquainted with the deceased , he knew him but to esteem and revere him. MEMORIAL SERVICES OF THE LATE REV. ROBERT A. MITCHELL On last Sunday morning memorial service were held at the Presbyterian church, in commemoration of the life and public services of the late Rev. Robert A. Mitchell. The pastor Rev. J. A. Piper , preached a very interesting and feeling sermon in review of the life of Mr. Mitchell In his remarks he said; " The first thing you see on entering Westminister Abbey, is the name of Sir Christopher Wren on the wall, and under neath that is the words, " if you wish to see the monument of brother, Robert Mitchell, "look around you" this flourishing church which he assisted in building up- this splendid edifice in the erection of which he was a lading factor and breathed into it the spirit of his active progressive mind, etc". This flourishing church with its large and intelligent membership, is not the only monument erected to the memory of the beloved and lamented pastor that has just passed to his reward. In the heart of every man, woman, and child that knew Robert A. Mitchell, there is monument of love and respect erected in his memory that will last as long as life lasts and handed down to posterity as a pleasant memory. He was a good , true, noble honest man, and at the end of a long life he has passed away leaving a name as bright and pure as the rain drop that trembles in the chalice of the flower- a name that is a rich legacy to his family, his brothers and his friends. But one short week ago, last Monday we grasped his hand and congratulated him on his healthy appearance, but alas, in a few days, while attending his duties as a Minister, the dreaded messenger came and in a few hours closed his earthly career. We had known him intimately for 35 or 40 years, and had always found him a pure minded honorable man. As a minister of the gospel, he was able honest and fearless- and never afraid to assert his convictions either out of or in the pulpit. He was loved and respected by not only his church associates but by old citizens who knew him best and appreciated his worth as a man. His funeral was largely attended by his old friends who so mourned his loss that even the cold could not keep them from testifying to his worth . Uncle John Eastin, although not a church member, held him in high esteem and although the snows of many winters, whiten his brow, he was among the number that attended the laying away of his remains. Squire Wiley, upo n the invitation of Mr. Piper, made some very appropriate remarks, relating many pleasant incidents of the early life of Mr. Mitchell And well remarked that ' the friends of his youth- of his school boy days, were almost gone- that there were but few of them left. Too true, Squire, the boys of 40 years ago are nearly all passed over to that shoreless eternity, that sends back no voice of the past or knowledge of the future. They have gone where: "The willow hangs with. sheltering grace And benediction o'er their sod And nature, hushed, assures the soul they rest in God" When we look about us for the familiar faces of the friends of our youth- we sadly miss their kindly presence and are disappointed to see their places filled by strangers. In the old and new cemeteries, peacefully rests the companion of our youth-the old and dear friends whose presence used to make Charleston so much like 'home' We well remember the old Presbyterian church where Robert A.. Mitchell, Sam Mitchell, James Mitchell, Luther Mitchell, Alec Mitchell, Ben Mitchell, Dr. Roberts, Wesley Roberts, Dick Roberts, Ten Brook Roberts, Jonathan Collom and other young men used to attend, but where are they today? But few of the left to tell the tale of their early lives; even the old church has bee denuded of it altar and its steeple has crumbled to dust. Tarleton Miles and Tom Stoddert also made some feeling remarks, bearing testimony to the goodness and merit of their departed friend. GEM hand dated 12-14-1886 ***************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproducd in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ***************************************************************** Contributed by: Jim Admire