Simon Robert Walsh, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
Simon Robert Walsh
LAID TO REST.
Last Sad Rites over the Remains of Robert Walsh -- A Short Biography of His Life.
WALSH -- On Friday morning, April 16th, at the residence of his father in this city, Simon Robert Walsh, aged 22 years and 6 months.
"The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all the beauty, all that wealth e'er gave.
Await alike the inevitable hour --
The path of glory leads but to the grave.
Yes, all our hopes, all our ambitions, all our worldly desires end with the grave. The high and the low, the gentle and the simple, the old and the young must alike must meet this inevitable doom. In nature all things have their seasons of youth, bloom and decay. The flowers spring up apace, they bloom into freshness and beauty, then gradually lose their lustre and finally drop in the embrace of their mother earth from whence they sprung. But how often do we behold a deviation from this order! The rose has just blossomed forth into all its odoriferous freshness, then comes a biting frost, a chilling wind, or a scorching sunray. That which a few moments before was a thing of beauty and admiration, now withers, droops and dies. As it is with the flower so is it with human life, and thus was it with him whose death we to-day chronicle. He had just budded forth into the bloom of youth; life held out her sweetest charms for him to cull of; hope and ambition alike promised him future rank and position -- an honored manhood, and a respected old age. But the blighting frost of disease relentlessly fell upon him; like the summer rose, he drooped -- death finally claiming him for his own.
Simon R. Walsh was born in Chicago, Ills., Nov. 3rd, 1860. While he was yet young his parents moved to Valparaiso. Having acquired a good practical education, he entered the employ of the W. U. Telegraph Co., at this place. He rapidly acquired a thorough knowledge of the telegraphic business as his early promotion to the charge of an office testified, he being at the time the youngest operator in the service. For four years he had charge of the night office at this place. In 1880 he was promoted to the head office at Pittsburgh, and for a time worked in the train dispatcher's office at Fort Wayne. In 1881 he took charge of the day office at Valparaiso, which position he held until compelled to resign through sickness. Testimonials from the principal officials of the Western Union show him to be considered one of the best operators between Pittsburgh and Chicago, and the number of messages of regret received at his death from almost every office of the line testify to the esteem in which he was held by his fellow operators. With all those who knew him was he likewise esteemed. He was one of the kindest of sons and most considerate of brothers, fond of his home and surroundings, steadfast in his friendships and ever ready for any sacrifices where relatives or friends were concerned.
It is thought that a too close confinement, consequent upon his employment, brought on the disease, consumption, which proved so fatal. He battled manfully against this foe but gradually succumbed. All that the best medical attendance and skill could do was of no avail against the fell destroyer. Some weeks since he was confined to his bed and steadily grew worse till Friday morning when he passed quietly away, fully resigned, and fortified by the last rites of the Catholic Church.
The funeral took place on Sunday. Burial services were held in St. Paul's church at five o'clock in the morning. The coffin was ornamented by a beautiful cross presented by Mrs. Dr. Beer, and a floral basket by Mrs. Charles Gogan. The body was taken on the early train to Chicago, and tehnce to Calvary cemetery to be laid to rest with his mother and brothers who are interred there. -- May he rest in peace.
A son and brother dear was he,
Revered by all -- loved by his own;
Ah! Hard it is that death should be,
And mourners leave to weep alone.
Yet Faith's bright ray the lone heart cheers;
It hallows e'en the eath's cold sod;
For he, who grave we steep in tears,
Is, now we trust, in peace with God.
-- BY A FRIEND
Newspaper: Porter County Vidette
Date of Publication: April 19, 1883
Volume Number: 27
Issue Number: 16
Page: 1
Column(s): 5
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook