Edward Magner Son, William Henry Magner Obituary

The Progress-Examiner, Orleans, Indiana        

Thursday, September 24, 1914

 

William Henry Magner 

William Henry, the fifth of a family, seven children of Edward and Jane Magner was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, March the 9th of 1831.

He came with his parents to Indiana, when but two and a half years of age.  He is the last of his family to cross the boundary line between this and the other life, as his good wife, now widowed, is the only one of her family, left on this side.

He was married to Margaret Taggart, November 7, 1850.  To this union were born ten children; six sons and four daughters: Edward B., aged fourteen, passed into the other world, December 13, 1867; and Charles W., exchanged this life for the one beyond, October 4, 1900, in the prime of life at 42.  Four sons; James H., Harry E., and Grant L. of this community and Jeurel L., of Greensburg, Pennsylvania and four daughter; Mrs. Anna J., Lynn and Mrs. Ruth E. Baker and Misses Nell M., and Clara E., together with his aged helpmate who for nearly sixty-four years, shared intimately his joys and sorrows, survive him, to mourn indeed, their loss; but still to rejoice in his eternal gain.

His children's children number thirty-two, twenty-five of them here, while seven met him over there.  The third generation of descendants, number nine, three with him and six, to follow on.

Mr.. Magner never revisited the spot of his birth since coming to Indiana, although he had several times gone to Kentucky.

He united with the Presbyterian church of Orleans on certificate, from some other church, January 5, 1849.  He was at the time of his death and had been for several years the ranking member of his church and his mantel now falls upon the companion of all his mature years, for Mr. Magner was married before he was 20 and his bride not yet 17.

Mr.. Magner was chosen by the congregation of the Orleans Church as a ruling elder, and was ordained into that office, March 30, 1900, he asked the privilege of resigning his duties in that relation, September 6, 1908 and his request was granted; this, relieved him from active service as a member of the session, but of course did not take from him, any of the privileges of the Eldership, so that under the rulings of the church, he has been an Elder for more than 14 years.

He held the position of Superintendent of Sunday School, both at Mt. Pleasant Church and at Magner School House for a number of years.

He passed from Labor to reward after leaving recent bright evidence of his acceptance with God, and an assurance that all was well with him on September 14, 1914.  Aged 83 years, six months and five days.

Mr.. Magner's funeral was conducted at the family home, two and one-half miles southeast of Orleans, his pastor officiating on Thursday, September 17, 1914 at 2:00 p.m. and a large concourse of friends, neighbors and acquaintances followed the remains to Orleans, where the dust was interred in the family lot, in the old cemetery.

The intense suffering of the last few months, had thoroughly aroused the sympathy of the whole community not only for Mr. Magner, but for the good and faithful wife and children, who were compelled to witness the intense agony, without being able in any effective way mitigate the distress.


NOTE: A very special thank you to Candy Clark for obtaining this obituary for me!