William Wittenmyre, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
William Wittenmyre
Memorial of Mr. Wm. Wittenmyre.
The following extract of a letter written by Mr. Geo. P. Harris of Chicago in behalf of Mrs. Wittenmyre to the editor, we think a proper tribute of respect to Mr. Wittenmyre, who was buried here last Saturday, the funeral discourse and service having taken place the day before at his residence in Chicago, whence the mourners and a number of the sympathizing friends attended the remains to this place for burial.
Mr. Wittenmyre's philanthropic spirit and earnest devotion to the needs of the poor, were prominent features of his character. The widow and the orphan always found a home and protection in his hospitable house, where they were kindly taken care of and provided for. His earnest prayers offered up in behalf of humanity were in accord with his whole life. He looked on all humanity as a brotherhood and sisterhood, and acted accordingly. He proved his faith by his works, and though dead, he yet speaketh, and his voice is heard. The cause which led to the sad result is known to you, and proves the widsdom of the words of the Nazarene, "be ye therefore ready also, for at such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh."
Mr. Wittenmyre was a seeker after truth for many years. He lived in the knowledge of a blissful immortality. He knew there was another life. He frequently conversed with the angels; seeing them with his own eyes, hearing them with his own earrs, handling them with his own hands, he was fully convinced by them of his five sences, that there is no death, but simply what the venerable apostle to the Gentiles said, "absent from the body present with the Lord."
From another source, and partly from acquaintance, we learn that Mr. Wittenmyre was 63 years old, was born in Pennsylvania, and had been engaged in merchandise in Iowa for thirty years, tho' living the latter half of that time in Chicago. In religious faith he was a pious spiritualist. During some past years he traveled and preached upon his own expense. His house was one of hospitality for the needy, and his charity was unbounded. He and Mrs. Wittenmyre had within a few months past been planning a co-operative institution for the benefit of persons needing a home and employment, on a small scale, at their farm near Wheeler, and Mrs. M., we understand, proposes to still cary out as well as practicable the plan devised.
The friends who came from Chicago to the burial, were Mrs. Wittenmyre, Mrs. Young, of Missouri the only daughter of the deceased; Mr. & Mrs. J. C. Choate, of Woodshock, Ill.; Dr. Stevens, of Watseka, Ill., who officiated at the grave; Mr. and Mrs. E. Saunders and Mr. and Mrs. George P. Harris. Those from near Wheeler were Mr. and Mrs. N. P. Curier, Mr. and Mrs. Burt Eddy, and Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Fifield. Mr. Thos. H. Fifield was also present from South Bend. Quite a number of the friends and acquaintances of the family living near here also attended the procession and burial. After the party from abroad had dined at the Gould House, they were visited and condoled with by Mrs. Janes, Mrs. W. C. Talcott, Mrs. J. F. Talcott, Miss Mary E. Harris and others whose names we did not learn. The company from Chicago and Wheeler returned the evening of the same day.
Newspaper: Porter County Vidette
Date of Publication: January 23, 1879
Volume Number: 23
Issue Number: 4
Page: 3
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