John Calvin Morrow

MORROW

Posted By: CJeanealogy (email)
Date: 12/9/2017 at 23:23:00

The Marion Sentinel Thursday May 19, 1892
OBITUARY.
JOHN CALVIN MORROW.
Died, at his home, in Marion, May 12, John Calvin, son of John W. and Elizabeth Morrow. He was born in Marion, Iowa, on August 15th, 1879, and was the youngest of seven children, two of whom, Sarah Martha and Herbert Seman[sic] had died before his birth. His sister, Nov. 9, 1863, and the brother, Nov. 19, 1863, and were laid in the same grave. These were Marion's first victims of the diphtheria.
On the 5th of August, 1873, and in Calvin's third year, the father is suddenly called away. In 1879, Calvin went to Ohio, to live with his father's brother, but is called home by the death of his sister Emma, who departed this life June 16th, 1896. After being in the high school a year, he returned to his uncle's in Ohio. But was again called back to Marion by the illness of his mother, who, after weeks of patient suffering, on the 7th of July, 1888, fell asleep in Marion.
This dark family retrospect is not without its bright [missing]--the dark could has its silver lining. It reminds us of those pilgrims whom the Psalmist describes in the 8th Psalm, as passing through the valley of weeping, but converting each sorrow into a joy. The tears that fell on this young life like the dew drops on the morning flowers, have bedecked his character with the Christian graces.
God's promise to believing parents--"I will be a God to thee, and to thy seed," has already been verified. Calvin in his early youth had chosen the God of his parents to be his God, and identified himself with the Lord's people, and from that day of his death, he had been going to to perfection.
On the 20th of August, 1888, he became associated with Mr. G.W. Toms, in the hardware store, as clerk, and two years afterwards, on Mr. Toms' recommendation, he was appointed by the Adams Express Company as messenger on the C.M. & St. P. Ry., his run being between this city and Chicago with headquarters in Marion.
When he made profession of his faith in Christ, he seems to have accepted heartily Christ's three conditions of discipleship--self-denial, cross-bearing and obedience--and he has never been known to neglect one of them, but has always striven after a closer walk with God.
When among strangers he kept himself unspotted from the world, and in regard to popular amusements, avoided the appearance of evil.
He was not only a faithful attendant on the services of the sanctuary, but he always had his Bible with him when away from home, and when business on the train would allow, he was studying God's word, and had imbibed so much of the sweet spirit of the gospel that he won the admiration even of the worldling.
He was a light in the home, the church and the world.
Strangers who have made his acquaintance in the business and social circle, tell us that it was not so much his words as his actions. So much what he said and what he did, that gave them such a high appreciation of his Christian character.
Two months ago, returning, perhaps, to his work too soon after his recovery from a slight attack of la grippe, brought on nervous prostration. Though hopeful of recovery, he said to his pastor he was ready to go, if God called him. Seldom has one been taken from this community that will be so much missed in the home, the church, and in the young people's society, but our loss is his gain,
"Now we need not, cannot Sorrow;
We must wipe our tears away.
And from his example borrow
Courage in the darkest day.
We must think of him as dwelling
In the presence of his King,
Where the angel-voices swelling
Make the palace walls ring.
If we daily do our duty
With his singleness of aim,
We shall see Christ's wondrous beauty
And shall magnify His name."
The funeral service was held in the Presbyterian church on Sabbath morning, conducted by the pastor.
M.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10317719/John-Calvin-Morrow
 

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