Samuel W. Dempsey Obituary
22 Jan. 1880 Ironton Register
Samuel W. Dempsey Obituary – Another old citizen has gone. Another link that held us to the fresh young days of Ironton has been broken. One after another has fallen until we can count, in a moment’s thought, the few supports upon which this community leaned in its young, growing days. It is always a very sad circumstance when one of these old citizens lays down the burden of life, for it tells us that the farther back pleasant memories run, the sooner will ‘at last” he said.
In our issue of last week, was the intelligence that Samuel W. Dempsey was lying in a critical condition, in consequence of an attack of apoplexy, on Wednesday morning. Mr. Dempsey lingered, unconscious, until Thursday at 5 1/2 o’clock when he expired.
The funeral occurred at Wesley Chapel, last Saturday, at one o’clock, the church being crowded to its uttermost. Revs. Postle, Calhoun, and Gardner were in the pulpit. Mr. Calhoun read the Bible, Mr. Gardner prayed and Mr. Postle read a brief sketch of Mr. Dempsey’s life. There was no sermon, as the deceased had frequently expressed a desire, in his lifetime, to have no sermon preached at his funeral.
The deceased was a plain, honest man, of strong personal opinions and decided friendships. He never truckled to wealth, station, or power; he was as friendly with the poorest as the richest. He was once a rich man himself, but the storm which blew away so many good fortunes assailed him bitterly.
Of late, however, the winds have been from a fairer quarter, and just as the better days dawn, he departs forever. He stays not to enjoy them but goes, a community follows him to his grave with the respect due to an honest heart and upright life.
We give below the personal memoranda read by Rev. J. S. Postle, at the funeral: Samuel W. Dempsey was born at Maria Forge, Fayette County, Penn., on August 20th,1811, in the neighborhood of which the first 18 years of his life were spent.
At that age, he came with his parents to Greenup, Ky., returning to Fayette County in a short time, to be married to Catharine Atwell, who died in 1855. In 1856, he was married to Eliza A. Vermillion who survives him. For about 45 years he has been a resident of Lawrence County, Ohio.
At a camp meeting, while living in Ky., he was converted. During the pastorate of the Rev. L. Hall at Spencer Chapel, Bro. Dempsey joined that church, and when Wesley was organized, he cast his lot with these people. He was stricken with apoplexy on Wednesday morning, January 14th, 1880, and died the next morning, having been unconscious from the first.
I.R. July 16, 1891 – Mrs. Mary A. Robinson, wife of Capt. A. Robinson died at her home on Front street, last Tuesday morning. She was taken sick about the 1st of January with what was supposed to be a slight cold, but which speedily developed into a serious case of lung trouble, which caused her death. Mrs. Robinson was the daughter of the late Sam’l W. Dempsey.
She was born at Etna Furnace, this county, on May 23rd, 1844, and spent nearly her whole life in this community. She was married to Capt. A. Robinson, on Nov. 20th, 1872. Her husband and their only son, Samuel, survive her.
Mrs. Robinson was a good woman and was highly esteemed in the community. She was a faithful member of Wesley Chapel, whose pastor, Rev. Morgan, will conduct the funeral, this Thursday morning.
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