Obituaries of Primitive Baptist Members
in Brown County, Illinois
JACOB LONG (DEACON)
Departed this life, June 18, 1873, at the residence of his son, in Monroe Co., Mo., DEACON JACOB LONG. He was born February 23, 1789, in Orange Co., N. C., moved to East Tennessee in 1804, from thence to Morgan Co., Illinois, in 1832. He made a profession of religion and joined the Old School Baptist Church in 1833, and was baptized by Elder John Ray. He came to Brown Co., in 1834, was (I believe) in the constitution of the New Salem Church, and was ordained first deacon of that church in 1835, which office he held in honor until he got too old to officiate in church capacity. He leaves an aged and infirm companion, and sister in the church, to mourn her loss, which is his eternal gain, together with a large family of children and grand-children, and a large circle of friends.
May the Lord cause that the bereaved shall be resigned to their sad bereavement, and prepare them for the solemn event of death.
PETER AUSMUS.
Brookfield, Mo.
"Signs of the Times," 1873, page 251.
ARTHUR PREECE (DEACON)
It becomes my duty to send to the MESSENGER OF PEACE for publication a notice of the death of Deacon Arthur Preece, of Mounds, Illinois. At their regular meeting time on the fourth Sunday in November, Brother Preece was complaining of cold, and was not able to attend the meeting. On Tuesday following, he visited some sick neighbors, met his son-in-law, A. L. Worthington, at the train, and took a chill after reaching home, which terminated in lung fever. He suffered terribly until death relieved him on the morning of December 2d, [1891], at 2:40 a.m. Brother Preece was born in Herefordshire, England, March 26th, 1841; came to Brown Co., Ill., with his aunt at ten years of age. He was a union soldier during the whole time of the war, in Co. E, 16th Ill. Vol., and was highly respected by all his comrades, and was mustered out at Chattanooga, Tenn., June 7th, 1864. On returning home, he was married to Lucinda Long, daughter of Conrad Long, near Mounds, Ill., on March 26th, 1866. Six children were born to them, four survive to comfort a sorrowing mother.
Brother Preece united with New Salem church of Primitive Baptists, February 1869, and if the pent-up feelings of brethren were heard, they would say with one accord that he was the most faithful of all. For from some cause known to God, the brethren have ceased to visit each other's churches; but Bro. Preece and his loving faithful companion have continued true to their covenant with God, and have stood by me in my trembling, faltering efforts to keep the banner waving, sealing our prayers with our tears. His words of comfort and encouragement will be bright in my memory, till my Redeemer calls me home.
Without regard to politics, his neighbors kept him in some position of public trust; was school treasurer at death. He bade his heart-broken family farewell, and submitted to the call for separation. They were a noble family, and their good neighbors thronged around and wept aloud.
Our dear sister was so overcome, and on account of an alarming condition of her heart, the funeral sermon was indefinitely deferred.
And now, dear brother, again released,
You lay your armor down,
And freed from warfare, rest in peace
While victory hovers round.
But how I miss you, none but God,
Can ever tell or know -
In joy's light, or sorrow's cloud
A friend and brother true.
And when the moaning winds do sigh,
Or I walk where lilies bloom,
I'll remember the pleasant days gone by,
A lasting lovely boon.
In conquering chariot upward borne,
Up to the lofty hills,
You rest amid eternal bloom.
Where sorrow never chills.
I'll preach and pray and try to sing,
And wait till Jesus comes,
And I do hope on tireless wing
To meet thee round the throne.
And now, dear sister and faithful children, look up and believe that our tried friend rests in peace.
T. B. AUSMUS.
Messenger of Peace, 1892, p. 39.
Copyright c. 2004. All rights reserved. The Primitive Baptist Library.
