Obituary of Oma OXFORD, Hardin County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Wanda Reed Name of Deceased: Oma OXFORD Name of Newspaper: Hardin County Independent Date of Newspaper: 8 January 1914, Vol 41, #27 Obituary: The history of this world is the record of the never ending conflict between light and darkness, faith and unbelief, life and death. Whether we would volunteer, resist or stand neutral, the inexorable eddy of time waits us willing or unwilling through these conflicting scenes to the dark for cortex of it sinking whirlpool, where the only discharge from this warfare may be had. Sorrow and defeat ere long leave their dark finger prints on the most radiant souls. But the Hand that perfected the systems, sun and stars doubtless had reasons for making us as we are. We know the curse that enjoined labor on Adam's race has ultimately opened its channels of development and adornment. Could it be that our losser and grief render our souls the more pliable that the Master Builder may polish and adorn us for all beautiful kingdom? We know not what may await our loved ones who are called from this sinful world. So we know not why death loves a shining mark, but we know too often his ruthless hand is laid on our brightest jewels. The sad truth of this maxim was most thoroughly demonstrated Sunday Dec. 21st. 1913 in Cave-in-Rock. Just as other homes were waiting with anxious delight the visit of good Santa Claus the remorseless angel of Death claimed Oma, the five year old girl of Professor and Mrs. Seba Oxford. She fell a victim of scarlet fever, and was buried Monday afternoon in the family cemetery on Judge Hall's farm on Harris Creek. Oma was a bright and precious child being taught to read at age 4 by her parents, she easily mastered the first reader and such primers, as were given her and at the time of her death was carrying the 2nd. grade in the Cave-in-Rock grade school. 'Mrs. Myrtle Hughes, her teacher, deeply felt her loss, and ably and tenderly assisted in her demise. Besides her parents and a number of relatives she leaves a lonely little brother. My sympathies for a child was scarcely more deeply touched than when he questioned me on the mysterious loss of Oma. My loss of a twin sister at a tender age, and the gloom of which that has ever hung on my memory's while prepared me to know the sadness of his tender life. I often think that children should not be pressed into such scenes if it can be avoided. They may cast a gloom over their characters that in after is often mistaken for selfishness or unsocialness. An English poet argues that there is no death, that the stars we see go down, rise on some fairer shore and there in Heaven's Jewel Crown they shine forever more. Our own poet Longfellow says the bright flowers taken by the angel of death will be kept by the Land of Paradise and given back again, when the Ressurection morn dawns. And our Christ a few days before he left the world endeavored to teach his disciples something of the one he was going to, and on one occasion called a little child to his side and said "of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." I've often been interested and surprised at the strangely beautiful scenery and inhabitants of new cities and a life time study and investigation leads me firmly to hope and believe that one bright morning that we will land at the gates of the City Celestial and after we have recovered from it's over-powering beauty and resplendency, we shall surely recognize familiar faces. May his atoning blood prepare our needy soul for such holy ecstacies. Written by Elihu N. Hall (Oma's uncle) ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Wanda Reed