Clay County, Missouri Obituaries - Hezekiah M. Riley Liberty Tribune, 30 July 1858 Obituary H.M.Riley HEZEKIAH M. RILEY Maj. H. M. Riley is no more. In him Liberty has lost one of its most industrious, useful, and respectable citizens - society a worthy member - his friends a neighbor - the church a pillow - and his affectionate children a father. He manly confronted fifty-seven stormy winters of this boisterous pilgrimage, then calmly submitted himself, on the 23d instant, into the hands of his maker. Then came the enemy, sudden, unexpected - by that incureable disease (supposed) congestive chill - in the high tide of life, in the vigor of manhood, cut short 'midst fond hopes,' anticipating prospects of soon regaining, by the honest sweat of his brow, the healthful vigor of an industrious arm, his unfortunate lost competency. The Major emigrated from the state of Kentucky, and became one of the most respectable citizens of Clay county for more than thirty years - during which time he rose almost from abject penury to a very respectable competency - raised a large family of praiseworthy, honorable and affectionate children. His moral virtues were many; selfishness that became an unsanctified heart, found no lodgement in his bosom; the mendicant who sought an assylum under his hospitable roof, left it beaming smiles of true gratitude; no borrowing neighbor felt the discouraging reply, 'come again tomorrow' when in his power to grant; a man of few words, yet refrained not to speak in a good cause; complete power had he over that unruly member the inspired apostle deemed untameable - with it he added no blot , to the most incorrigible, but just praise to the worthy. Pride was a stranger to his manly form. No calling to low for an honest livelihood. a master mason, and a natural mechanic. Never slow to visit the afficted, and a faithful attendant on the sick - assisting the orphan, clothing the naked, healing the broken hearted and wrongfully opressed. He was indeed an alms giver; of his little, he was not afraid to give much - looking for for recompence this side the ressurrection of the just. His faults, I am sorry to state he had some, and who is he that hath them not. But where are those thine accusers, who, of like error, dare the stone to cast. He was respectfully attended, during a short affiction, by many of of the sympathizing citizens of Liberty both male and female. A large body of condoling relatives and warm hearted friends awaited his interment, at his old church, Mt. Gilead, where he was decently and respectfully deposited - waiting the restoration morn. Oh! that he may hear that forgiving one say -" I was thirsty and you gave me drink - hungry and you fed me - naked and you clothed me - sick and you visited me," and then approvingly add -" come ye blessed of my father to an everlasting inheritance, and inexhaustible competency," is the prayer of his lonely old friend. When the stock of earth's bliss, is in strangers' hands vested, Like funds ill secured oft in bankruptcy en?s, But Christ issues bills that is never protested When drawn on the Bank his father commends. T.L.H. ==================================================================== 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 reproduced 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. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Diane Y. Smith Royer ====================================================================