Obituary of Thomas M. Reed

January 1913 - Thomas M. Reed, one of six children given to John and Margaret Reed, was a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, where he first saw the light of day, Aug. 1, 1858, and closed the last page of his laborious, successful and devoutly Christian records among men, after a brief but painful illness on Jan. 10, 1913, aged fifty-four years, five mo. and 8 days.

At the age of six years he came with his parents to Albion, Ind., where they lived for two years, after which they moved to the farm in York Twp. two miles west of this city, and which eventually became known as the Reed farm.

Here in the home of his childhood he received his early training and lifelong impressions of perfect and upright manhood, his parents being excellent biblical students as well as splendid and progressive citizens.

Mr. Reed received his education in the public schools of York Twp. and the Normal school in Albion. For fourteen years he was one of Noble county’s most efficient and successful teachers. He served four years as trustee of York Twp. with efficiency and fidelity.

Subsequently Joseph M. Shew, who had been elected as Co. treasurer, saw in him qualities of an exceptionally fine character and selected him as deputy Co. treasurer, which position he filled with great satisfaction to his employer as well as to the citizenship of the entire county.

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As a result of h is excellent work in this position he was nominated by the Reps. of the county as a candidate for Co. treasurer , and not withstanding his opponent was a very strong candidate Mr. Reed won by a good margin. In the performance of his duties in this important office he gave general satisfaction and he was reelected by a largely increased majority.

At the expiration of his last term he was employed in the county treasure’s and Co. auditor’s office until in Feb., 1904 when he accepted a position as cashier of the Farmer’s State Bank, which had been unanimously tendered him by the directors of that financial institution. In this responsible position he was phenomenally successful and was the dominant spirit of the increasing prosperity and deserving popularity of the institution.

At the time of his demise he was not only cashier, but one of the directors and his judgment in financial matters and intricate questions was keen and of the highest order.

As a business man he was always cheerful and optimistic and gave his services unostentatiously to all. Many received good counsel and wholesome advice from him.

He was a stockholder, secretary and treasurer of the Noble County Telephone Co., and upon the recent death of Dr. Reiff he was chosen by the Albion Town Board of Trustees as a member of the Albion School Board.

He was a member of North Star Lodge, NO. 380, I.O.O.F. Albion Lodge No. 223, K. of P’s and Albion Lodge, No. 97, F and A. M. being rasied to the sublime degree of Master Mason in the winter of 1912. He was a credit and a faithful adherent to the principles of these orders.

In 1890 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Griffin, of Brimfield, Ind. And to this divinely sanctioned marriage was given one daughter, Mildred, but they have acted in the capacity of loving parents to Ruth Griffin, whom they have reared from infancy. Their home has always been one of love and harmony, representatives of the most splendid Christian character and one in which their pastor received the most kindly consideration.

The deceased received the rights of baptism of the Presbyterian church in infancy, and was converted and made his final and unconditional surrender to the Albion M. E. church during the pastorate of Rev. A. S. Preston, in 1892.

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Since his conversion he has been the most prominent man in the church, having been a teacher in the Sunday school for a long period, a member of the Board of Trustees, and church treasurer at the time of his death.

He was a faithful Christian and seldom ever missed a public service. He praised the Lord at all times; his praised were continually in his mouth.

He enjoyed the pleasures of life, he loved his home, and made it one of the most beautiful homes in the city, but did not permit anything to interfere with his church life. As he expressed it “My church first”

When the news was heralded that Mr. Reed was dead, tears of regret and sadness fill from many eyes for all knew that the faithful and devoted wife had lost a kind and helpful companion; the daughters Mildred and Ruth, a good and indulgent father; the friends, a loyal and worthy relative; the church, a tower of strength, and the community an honest, upright and generous man and citizen.

He is survived by a wife, two daughters, three sisters, Mrs. Chas. Kelsy, of Martin, Mich., Mesdames Jeremiah and William Noe of Kimmell, Ind., as well as many relatives and a host of friends.

The deceased was loved by all who knew him. Again “has the silver cord been loosed. The golden bound broken, and the mourners go about the streets fro a king hath died, this day, and the dust shall return to the earth as it was and the spirit to God who gave it”

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord for they rest from their labors and their works do follow them”

The obsequies were held at the residence at 2:00 p.m., Monday, Mar. 13, conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. S. Newcombe.

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Obituary of Rosalthe Lash

June 1913 - After several weeks illness of heart trouble, Mrs. James J. Lash passed way at her home at 5:00 a.m. Fri. She had long been a resident of Albion, having resided here, for over two score years. Though her tastes and inclinations were decidedly domestic, she was well known to the people of Albion and vicinity. Her affections and interests were centered in her home and in her family.

She was quiet and retiring in disposition, possessing that charm of manner and queenly dignity that won the affections of her children, her kindly deeds and tender and sympathetic ministrations are indelibly inscribed and perpetually enshrined in the hearts of those who knew her but to love her.

Rosalthe Azuba Hyde was born in Rock Creek, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Jan. 11, 1844, and died at her home in Albion, Ind., June 20, 1913, aged sixty-nine years, five months, and nine days.

She came to Noble Co., with her parents and located near Kendallville in the year 1850. In the fall of 1855 the father died and the following spring the mother was called away, leaving the subject of this sketch and one sister, who preceded the deceased to the better world two years ago.

In the year 1860 she was united in marriage with James L. Lash and they began housekeeping at Huberstan, Mich. Here they resided when the country’s call for volunteers, and Mr. Lash was one who heard and responded loyally to the call.

Mrs. Lash remained in Mich. for a year and then removed to Kendallville, where she remained until the war was over, when the husband returned home. In the year 1871 they moved to Albion, Indiana, where they continued to reside until her demise, with the exception of one year, which was spent in Virginia.

Mrs. Lash was the mother of six children, two of whom preceded her to her Heavenly home. The remaining four, Elizabeth Beard of Los Angles, Cal., Maude L. Flinn, of York township, this county, Ruby Rendel of Mexico, Ind., William Cullen Lash of Orange, Cal., and three grandchildren, with the bereaved husband and a host of friends are left to mourn the loss.

Since fifteen years of age she was a member of the M.E. church, to which denomination she remained a constant member until death.

The obsequies were held at the late home at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, conducted by Rev. R. J. Burns of the M. E. Church, and were attended by a large concourse of sympathizing relatives and friends. Interment was made in the Albion cemetery. At the obsequies Rev. Burns read a tribute to her memory.

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