A. D. Sefton, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
A. D. Sefton
Biography of A. D. Sefton
BY B. F. NIHART -- A CLASSMATE.
A. D. Sefton was born near Greensburg, Decatur county, Indiana, on the 20th day of January, 1855. He was the fifth child of a family of seven. He was the son of a farmer and began his education when four years of age by attending school in the country. He was apt, and possessing a love for school work he soon learned to read. His father died when the subject of our sketch was but eight years of age. He was thus early deprived of that care that a good father never fails to exercise toward his children. His estimable mother was left, and he ever recognized what she had done for him. He labored on the farm in summer and attended school in winter. He continued to work on the farm in this way until he was fifteen years of age when he attended, for one term, Hartsville College, of this state. He progressed rapidly while here, and often referred to his short stay in the place. Soon after he went to Illinois to aid his brother in the lumber business, but returning in 1873 he taught his first term of school in Howard county, Indiana. He succeeded so well that he received many invitations to return. He studied on term at Terre Haute, taught a term of seven months in Decatur county, and in 1875 he had his sister come to this place to attend the Normal.
From this time many remember of daily having seen his face and witnessed his walk of life. He was seeking an education and he earnestly applied himself to the work. Commencing with the common branches he gradually progressed until he entered the pales of the sciences and higher mathematics. He began the scientific course of study in the fall of 1877, and pursued it to the end, graduating with class of last year. There were twenty-one of the class, and twenty now mourn the loss of one of their number. Like a flash from a clear sky will the news be received by his class-mates who are now in different parts of the country. Five are here, and more than the absent ones do they miss hhis accustomed voice. As his body was borne away, many times did we think of the past and its associations, and as we thought of the present we became more impressed with the uncertainty of life. The first of our class has soon left us, yet who would have been better prepared? Laboring with him day after day in the same classes, who of us can recall one act of his other than an honorable one?
Mr. Sefton united with the Presbyterian church when but fifteen years of age, and since that time he always endeavored to live a Christian life. Wherever he went he never failed to attend and join in Divine worship. He became a member of the Crescent Literary Society in 1877, and ever after he was faithful in his duties.
He desired to take up the study of law, and soon after graduation he repaired to Three Rivers, Michigan, and placed himself under the guidance of a Mr. Barnard -- a young man of nearly his own age. Mr. B. thus writes to the sister of Mr. Sefton after his death, "I thought a great deal of him as a man and friend, and could not at first bring my mind to comprehend the fact that he had been called away so suddenly, and just in the prime of life when he was about to enter upon its enjoyments. When I think that only a few weeks ago he left our office a strong robust man in the very vigor of life, I can not realize that he is now is sleeping the sleep of death and that the places that once knew him shall know him no more. He was known to all as a young man of great promise, refined, educated, gentlemanly, and of high Christian character, a man of unquestioned integrity and untiring energy. None knew him but to respect and honor him, and there are many hearts in this city that beat in sympathy with those of his afflicted mother and beloved sister."
Several months ago Mr. Sefton returned home. He had begun to teach school near here, but soon he was taken sick. When it became known that he could not recover, he was resigned to his fate. When asked what word he had to send to his absent brother, he said "Tell him I have worked hard for the right." He recognized his friends to the last, and but a few minutes before his death he lead in singing the hymn "I'm going Home," after which he uttered a beautiful prayer the last words of which were the final ones of his life; they were "All I have, O Lord, and all that I am is Thine." Thus died A. D. Sefton, aged twenty-four years -- a man beloved by all, one that loved his mother and sister with his whole heart, passing away leaving nothing to them but the memory of his honorable career to guide them through the changing scenes of life.
Newspaper: Porter County Vidette
Date of Publication: June 26, 1879
Volume Number: 23
Issue Number: 26
Page: 2
Column(s): 4
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook