How true are the words “In the midst of life we are in death,” and most emphatically were they exemplified in the sudden passing of our old friend and respected former citizen, Henry Powell, the announcement of whose death has cast a pall of sorrow over the entire community where he had lived many years previous to establihing his home in the west.

David Henry Powell eldest of a family of three children born to Elisha and Mary Snyder Powell, was a native of Illinois, being born near Henry, Marshall County, February 8, 1853. There he grew to young manhood and received his education in the rural schools of the early day, later taking up farming as a life work, which he followed during his active career.

His marriage to Mary Colligan, also a native of Illinois, was solemnized in Henry, Sept. 10, 1879, and their wedded life of over two score years was one of love, devotion, and christian unity which death alone could sever. To this union five children were born, infant son and an adult daughter, Jennie Powell Maurer of Farnam preceding the father in death. Those left with the sorrowing widow to mourn the passing of one of the best fathers are two daughters, Mrs. Luella Airhart of Savannah, Ill., Mrs. Anna Newth of Ingham, Nebr., a son James Powell and an adopted granddaughter, Lela (Maurer) Powell, of Pomona, Cal.

Mr. Powell, with his family moved from Illinois to Nebraska in the spring of 1885, where they homesteaded a claim and engaged in farming with marked success, acquiring some 480 acres of fine soil which [he] disposed of previous to his leaving for the coast state.

Feeling that his activity and endurance were waning, Mr. Powell decided upon a more congenial climate in which to spend his declining years, moving to Long Beach five years ago, thence to Pomona, where they purchased a cozy home amid the flowers of sunny California, and where he breathed his soul into the hands of Him who gave it, on Tuesday, Oct. 16 following a brief illness due to paralysis.

On Saturday morning prior to the fatal attack, he walked to the city several blocks distant, but when returning home he was seized with severe dizziness which continued at intervals during the day, so much so that a physician was summoned in the evening and every effort made to the impending attack, but all to no avail, paralysis rendered him a helpless victim during the night affecting the entire right side and rending speech almost beyond understanding. However, he was able to recognize his family and attend to business matters and all were hopeful that he might withstand the shock, but God had marked the hour of his departure, and after a brave struggle of three days he closed his eyes in sleep eternal at the age of 70 years, 7 months and 2 days. Thus closed the earthly pilgrimage of an exemplary husband, father and neighbor, whose noble life is worthy of emulation.

The funeral services were held from the Justin E. Patterson Funeral Home at 2:30 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, Rev. John E. Hall of the First M. E. Church officiating in prayer and offering words of consolation and assurance to those bereft. Interment was made in Pomona Cemetery.

The casket bearers were all former friends of the deceased while a resident of Farnam, but who have also emigrated to California, viz: Edward Hazen, Ed Barnes, Marion Faulkes, G. D. Faulkes and Fred Nehmier of Los Angles, and Frank Wilcox of Ontario.

Those attending the funeral from a distance were his daughter, Mrs. Luella Airhart of Savannah, Ill., Stephen and Miss Alice Williams of Long Beach; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Barnes, and daughter Mrs. Alta Goddard; Mr. and Mrs. Marion Faulkes; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hazen, G. D. Faulkes, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nehmeier and children, Mrs. Jacob Hodges, all of Los Angeles; Mrs. J. W. Liggett of San Jacinto; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wilcox of Ontario. Beautiful flowers silent messages of love and sympathy from dear friends covered the casket and served as a blanket on the sacred mound which received his remains.—Contributed.

The Farnam Echo ?(50):1 Thursday, Oct. 25, 1923