Greenbrier County WV Archives Obituaries.....Sydenstricker, Nathaniel Kelly ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Darla Ruebush, Obituary for Nathaniel Kelly Sydenstricker (son of Philip & Catherine (Kelly) Sydenstricker; grandson of the original Greenbrier settlers, Philip & wife, Elizabeth Sydenstricker) Taken from the newspaper, "The Grim Reaper", Saline County, Missouri. On the newspaper article by the title, The Grim Reaper, it states, "There is a reaper whose name is death and with his sickle keen, he reaps the bearded grain at a breath and the flowers that grow between." (NOTE: Original article is from Randal Dinehart. It is taken from a scrapbook his wife inherited. Photocopies of the obituaries from this scrapbook can be obtained through Saline County, Missouri GenWeb). N.K. SIDENSTRICKER. "Brother Sidenstricker is dead," was the message that was passed from mouth to mouth without previous warning through our entire community Sunday morning. Dropped dead as he was preparing to go, as had been his life-long custom, to his favorite place of worship. Such news travels fast, and soon the crowd that had assembled to hear the word of God preached knew why that chair was vacant which had so long held that grand old patriarch of the church. The preacher missed that benign old face and felt the need of the support and confidence that that pillar of faith ever gave the pastor of his church. It was with tear-bedimmed eyes that the audience beheld another advance to officiate at the communion services, which had so long been presided over by the departed brother, and a strange voice heard to offer up thanks for the broken body and shed blood of our Lord. Nathaniel Kelly Sidenstricker was born in Louisburg [sic], Greenbriar [sic] county, W. Va., January 18, 1822. He came with his father's family to Missouri about 1842, settling on a farm near Union church, a portion of which is still retained by the sons of his brother. He was the third born in a family of eight children, only one, T.L. Sidenstricker, of Woodlaud [sic], Cal., of whom is now living. September 27, 1847, he was united in marriage to Lydia C. Lent, in Arrow Rock township, moving to Miami shortly thereafter, making it the continuous home of his family, and his, with the exception of two years he spent in California during the '49 excitement. To this marriage there were born five children, viz,: Mrs. Kate Wood, of this place; W.H. Sidenstricker, of Moberly; Mrs. Sallie Dash, now dead; Mrs. Lillian J. Kelly, of Moberly, and Hubert N. Sidenstricker, who died in infancy. He united with the Christian church at Miami, under the preaching of Elder W.H. Robinson, in the spring of 1866, and was immersed in the flowing waters of the Missouri at what is known as the "upper landing." His death occurred on Sunday morning, November 12, 1899, at about 9:30 o'clock, while he was preparing to attend the Sunday morning services at his chosen place of worship. He was continuously reminded of the impending fatal collapse which he knew from his growing infirmities could not long be delayed, and of a sudden death he was ever apprehensive and so, though his death was expected, it came with a suddenness that shocked his family, friends, and the community. He was 77 years, 9 months and 22 days old when the summons came, and all men who knew him believe that his house was in order and that he lived in the faith of a hereafter where the spirits of the just are made perfect in the likeness of Christ who died to save all who shall call on his name. One by one the patriarchs of our community pass from among us. The ruthless hand of time in its onward and ceaseless march through eternity has been laid heavily upon us during the past year. When we stop to consider the number who have lived the allotted time and recently laid down the burden of years and entered into that boundless realm, we are constrained to ponder upon the few short years of time on earth as compared to the innumerable ages of eternity. Funeral services were conducted at the Christian church Monday, at 1 o'clock p.m., by his pastor, Elder Prewitt, after which all that was mortal of an honored citizen, kind husband and an affectionate father was taken to the Christian cemetery, near Miami, and laid to rest. The deep sympathy of the entire community goes out to the family in their deep and sudden bereavement. Comments: Nathaniel K. and his wife, Lydia are buried in the Christian Cemetery, Miami, Saline County, Missouri Source: "The Grim Reaper", Saline County, Missouri.