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Obits > 1928 - Andrew Thomas Glassburn

TAMPICO TORNADO, Thursday, Oct 25, 1928

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FORMER RESIDENT LAID AT REST - FUNERAL SERVICE OF THE LATE A. T. GLASSBURN WAS HELD SUNDAY AFTERNOON

This community was saddened last week Wednesday afternoon by receipt of a telegram telling of the sudden death of Mr. A. T. Glassburn at his home in Long Beach, Cal.

Mr. Glassburn had not been well for some months past but his condition had not been considered so serious until the day before his death, when he collapsed while in his garden and was carried into the house. He was given medical attention and a nurse  placed in charge, but on the next day expressed a desire to arise, and as he started to do so, fell back on the bed and expired from a sudden attack of heart failure.

Last September he and his estimable wife happily celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary  in the midst  of relatives and friends, little thinking of the parting that was so soon to come.

The remains, accompanied by his widow and Mr. and Mrs. V. L. Glassburn, arrived here early last Sunday morning and were taken to the home of Mrs.  W. H. Harrison, where they reposed until afternoon when funeral services were held at the M. E. church at 2 o'clock.

The services were in charge of Rev.  George Gable of Elizabeth, a former pastor, who was assisted by Rev. Wm Swenson. Appropriate hymns were sung by Mesdames F. G. Baker and J. H. Hellier, with Mrs. R. F. Woods as accompanist. Many beautiful floral pieces were evidence of the love in which the deceased was held.

Messrs.  Homer L. Turner, L. W. Denison, A. E. Bennett, R. F. Woods, R. E. McKenzie and  R. F. Nelson, acted as pallbearers. Interment was in the family lot n Tampico Cemetery.  The church was filled with relatives and friends who came to look their last upon one held in the highest regard for his upright character and friendly disposition, and to whom in the past, many came for advice and counsel, never to be turned away without help.

Rev. Gable took for his text, "if a man die, shall he live again," and delivered a very able and impressive sermon in which he showed by promises of Holy Writ that in the case of one who lives according to the teachings of the Master, such as the deceased, the text should read, "if a man die, he shall live again."

Of one who lived, as Mr. Glassburn  did for the greater part of his life, in this community, little if anything can be said that would fully express the esteem in which he was held, or the sorrow felt at his death. In his daily life he built a monument that will endure, in the hearts of his fellow townsmen. His influence for the best in life will live after him.

OBITUARY

Andrew Thomas Glassburn, a pioneer and for many years a highly citizen of Tampico, passed away Wednesday morning, October 17th, at Long Beach. California, where, with his family, has resided since 1923.

Mr. Glassburn was born in Springfield Township, Gallia County, Ohio,  October 4th, 1856, and was therefore , at the time of his decease, 72 years and 12 days old. In January, 1857,  when but a few months old,  his parents settled in Whiteside County, this state, and until he migrated to California five years ago, Tampico community was his stamping grounds without a break, and to this burg and community his heart remained loyal to the end. His youth was spent in the manner of most farm lads, attendance at school in season, and work on the farm in summer time.  At the age of 19, he entered his father's grain office, as clerk, and  four years later was ad,adopted  into partnership with his father  under the name of J. W. Glassburn & Son. In 1885, he became connected with the Tampico Bank of which institution he became sole owner  a few years later, and in this relationship, he, for many years, played a prominent part in the economic and social development of the community. On the 10th of September 1878, Mr. Glassburn entered into marriage relation with Miss Minnie Viva Smith, a native of this County, a daughter of A. M.  and Laura Smith,and who survives him, to mourn the companion and comrade of her youth.

Two sons, Asa Clyde and Vernon L.. Glassburn was the fruitage of this union. The former passed away in 1912, and the latter Vernon L., married to Miss Hazel Meredith, is a resident of Long Beach, California. Two sisters also survive the deceased , Mrs. W. G. Reeves of Denver, Colorado, and Mrs. Silas Hovey of Independence, Iowa. Besides the members of this inner circle, there resides in this community and in other parts of the country a very large group of folks, who are kindred, and who are members of the Glassburn clan.

In early manhood , Mr. Glassburn united with the Methodist Episcopal Church of this village and served for a number of years as Sunday School Superintendent. Trustee and Treasurer. Throughout the formative period of the church, he was one of its most influential members and aided it in  a large way in shaping its life and character. He was also a member of the Village Board for a  number of  years, and was an influential factor in the development of its community life. In all lines of activity, economic, social and religious, he manifested energy, enterprise and integrity, and although not a citizen of his old home town at the time of his death, his passing away is felt by many as a personal loss and an impoverishment of worthwhile relationships. To those most dear to him, I, a stranger, can scarcely venture to speak any word of comfort or consolation, for any such word on my part will only have the setting of mere professional courtesy.

Yet, I may in perfect sincerity voice the unspoken prayer of your comrades in the Old Church, Vernon L. and the remnant of the Old Guard, that fought in the ranks with your respected father in the days of his strength, that you, the only living son of Tom Glassburn, may emulate the best things in your stalwart father, guard well your sacred heritage and invest it in a way, that will yield sixty and a hundred fold of blessing to your fellow men. And to you dear heart, his comrade-at-arms, in the day of his strength and his beloved life-companion for more than half a century, who has  been called on to witness the strong man bow himself down; and who now is called upon to sit alone, for a little while, in the shadow and the north wind, "before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern and the dust returneth to the earth as was and the spirit returneth to God, who made it." For you may there be the light and consolation of God at eventide, and the homeland in the morning.  - Rev. Wm. Swenson.

Among those from out of town who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Douglas of Cedar Rapids, Mr. Silas Hovey and Mr. and  Mrs. Glenn Hovey of Independence, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Asael Jacobs of Malta, Dr. and Mrs. John Badgley and Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Hyde and Miss Genevieve Welch of DeKalb, Mr. and Mrs. J. B Brown of Manlius, Mr. and Mrs. George Isherwood and daughter Vida of Rockford, Mrs. Mollie McMillen and son Leroy of Rock Falls, Mrs. Harriet Craddock and son Glenn of Morrison, Mr. and Mrs. O. D. Meredith of Peoria, Mr. and Mrs. Urban Faber, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Carson, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Moan, Miss Bertha Engle, Rev. J. A. J. Whipple, and Messrs D. S. Ellison and Glenn Engle, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Teach of Chicago, Messrs. John n   A. and Phillip Yard, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wylie, Mr. and Mrs. Harry zhill, and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Oppold and Misses Jessie and Alice Gaulrapp of Sterling.

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