OBIT: William C. LYSINGER, 1884, Martinsburg, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by SW Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ WILLIAM C. LYSINGER Death of a Prominent and Useful Citizen of Martinsburg. The reaper, Death, has been more than usually busy among our citizens of late, and now again we are called upon to chronicle the departure of another "to the bourne from whence no traveler returns." William C. Lysinger, fell calmly asleep in Jesus on the morning of the 18th inst, at 3.45 o'clock. Though not unexpected, by reason of Mr. Lysinger's advanced age and the general knowledge that he was gradually yet surely nearing the grave, his disease having been a general breaking down of the system or general debility, still the announcement of his death was a surprise and caused a feeling of sadness to the community of which he had been an upright and honored member since 1846, when he removed hither. Words of mine at this time will fail to convey any adequate idea of he high esteem in which Mr. Lysinger was held, not only in the church with which he had been connected for almost sixty years, but also in the community with whose business and general interests he had so long and so honorable been connected. Born near Hagerstown, Washington county, Maryland, on March 27, 1806, the subject of this sketch was almost 78 years old when he received the summons to "come up higher." The death of Mr. Lysinger's parents occurred in 1814, when he was about 8 years old, and he was then taken in charge and provided for by his uncle, David Mortimore, of Bedford, Pa. In his eighteenth year - on October 13, 1823 - Mr. Lysinger was apprenticed to Daniel Shuck, of Bedford, for the purpose of learning the trade of wheelwright, a business which he followed until increasing age and failing health no longer permitted him to engage in manual labor. Completing his apprenticeship he remained with Mr. Shuck as a journeyman several years, the term of his employment with him having been, in all, seven years. Early appreciating the necessity of living in close relationship to his Master, God, under the pastorate of Rev. E. B. Dorsey Mr. Lysinger united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1826, or when he was but 20 years of age. It was in his Christian life that his eminent virtues shown out resplendent. Naturally of a modest, unassuming and retiring disposition, Mr. Lysinger's qualities would perhaps never have been appreciated were it not for the fact that true merit and worth are always noticed and rewarded. And thus it is we find him early in life serving his Master in the church militant as class leader, Sunday school superintendent, trustee or steward, and in some of those capacities continuously until within a period of two years when, by reason of physical prostration, he was no longer able. In 1832, in the early spring he led to the altar Mary A. Gorman, and they were married by Rev. James Reed. Together they have traveled the hills and dales of life or more than a half century, meeting as is the lot of all, the sunshine and shadows, but of late years living in the peaceful contemplation of lives well spent, and looking forward to the bliss beyond. Two years ago the golden wedding of William C. Lysinger and Mary A. Gorman was fittingly celebrated at their home, when our citizens took occasion to attest their respect for the venerable couple by showering their congratulations upon them. And now the golden cord is broken, and the patriarch is called away full of years and full of honors, while she who in the long ago, linked her life and destiny to him, is left to mourn. But why mourn. Rather rejoice, for basking in the sunshine of the Redeemer's presence, there is no pain or sickness, no wretchedness, or woe, but all is life and light and bliss. Of sterling common sense Mr. Lysinger possessed more than the usual amount, and on this account he was frequently called upon by his fellow citizens, without regard to party affiliations (he was a democrat in politics) to fill offices of trust and honor. He was a member of the board of school directors of the school district during the years 1850, '51, '52, '53, '54, '70, '71, '72, '73, '74, '75, '76, and '79 and served as burgess of this borough during the years 1859, '60, '61, '62, '64, '66, and '67. During all these years his duties were faithfully fulfilled, and yet without his making an enemy. Nor was it because his was a negative character that he made no enemies. On the contrary his was a positive character. Of deep convictions and strong purpose "to do the right as God gave him to see the right," he never swerved from what he believed to be the course of duty, and in this is the secret of his having no enemies, namely, the universal confidence is his absolute and unswerving honesty. Thus one by one we are passing away. None are exempt from payment of the last great debt. Shall it be said of us when we are laid to rest, as has the above been truthfully related of the subject of this sketch. Can we like him, "Departing leave behind us, Footprints on the sands of time, Footprints that perhaps another Sailing o'er life's troubled main A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing may take heart again." We may not all attain to that high degree of Christianity, nor to that beautiful serenity of life which Mr. Lysinger enjoyed, but in his life we have a noble example to emulate, and let us see to it that those of us who are left model our action by his. Altoona Tribune, February 24, 1884