RATCLIFF, Edmond Baxter

EDMOND BAXTER RATCLIFF -- "Eddie"

Source: Kingman Star Friday Nov 24, 1911

Kingman and vicinity was shocked beyond all reason last Friday afternoon about 2:30 when the sad news of the sudden death of Eddie Ratcliff, one of Millcreek's most prominent farmers reached here. Only the previous Day The Star had seen and talked with Eddie as he passed through town on his way to his farm northwest of here where a new barn was being completed, and it was as much of a shock to us as to those more dear to him when his untimely death was announced. He was in his work shop at his home east of town when the lst hemorrhage came. He dragged himself to the house only to live a few minutes, passing away before a physician could reach him. The following obituary is self-explanitory of his wonderous life and deeds. Edmond B., son of Thomas and Jane Ratcliff was born August 16, 1867; died November 17, 1911; aged 44 years 3 months and 1 day. He came of that pioneer stock that transformed a wilderness into a country of homes and whose brawn and brain have given us a place amonth the nationsl of the world. He continued to reside on the farm on which he was born until his untimely death. On August 12, 1906 he was married to Mary D. Ephlin who has been a loving helpmate to him. To them have been given 3 children: Ross, Ralph and Dorris. Of the immediate family 3 have precededcd him in death -- his father, last APril; a brother Anderson who died Feb 27, 1907 and a sister Cynthia May 3, 1901. His mother, 3 sisters, Ida , Sereptia and Susan, a loving wife and children survive to treasure his memory. On August 12, 1906 he with his wife joined the Pleasant Grove Christian Church under the ministry of Rev. Kibby. They thus on th eve of their wedding day cast their lot with the church and all that it stands for. But for many years before that time, indeed since the very earliest years of his life, he had been a faithful attendant at church services and an ardent worker in the Sunday school. It was with pleasure that he ... Funeral services were conducted Monday at 10 o'clock from the residence of Rev. Levi Woody, enterment following in Harveysburg Cemetery.

Pretty sure I have Betty D. to thank for this one :) She and I have done genealogy together for over 30 years and early on, I didn't put a notation something was from her and I think this came from that time frame - :) kz

Source: Iva Lewis Obituary Scrapbook

Millcreek Township Looses Good Citizen When Hemorrhage Causes Death. Fatal Attack Came Without Warning. Kingman and vicinity was shocked beyond all reason last Friday afternoon about 2:30 when the sad news of the sudden death of Eddie Ratcliff, one of Millcreek’s most prominent farmers, reached here. Only the previous day The Star had seen and talked with Eddie as he passed through town on his way to his farm northwest of here, where a new barn was being completed, and it was as much of a shock to us as to those more dear to him when his untimely death was announced. He was in his work shop at his home east of town when the last hemorrhage came. He dragged himself to the house only to live a few minutes, passing away before a physician could reach him. The following obituary is self- explanatory of his wonderous life and deeds:

OBITUARY. Edmond B., son of Thomas and Jane Ratcliff, was born Aug. 16, 1867; died Nov. 17, 1911, aged 44 years, 3 months and 1 day. He came of that pioneer stock that transformed a wilderness into a country of homes, and whose brawn and brain have given us a place among the nations of the world. He continued to reside on the farm on which he was born until his untimely death. On Aug. 12, 1906 he was married to Mary D. Ephlin, who has been a loving helpmate to him. To them have been given three children, Ross, Ralph and Dorris. Of the immediate family three have preceeded him in death—his father, last April; a brother, Anderson, who died Feb. 17, 1907, and a sister, Cynthia, May 3, 1901. His mother, three sisters, Ida, Sareptia and Susan; a loving wife and children survive to treasure his memory. On Aug. 12, 1906 he with his wife joined the Pleasant Grove Christian church under the ministry of Rev. Kibby. They thus on the eve of their wedding day cast their lot with the church and all that it stands for. But for many years before that time, indeed since the very earliest years of his life, he had been a faithful attendant at church services and an ardent worker in the Sunday school. It was with pleasure that he entered into all the manifold duties of the church and of a christian life. That he was a christian and sincerely devoted to the Master’s course those who know him so well can attest. He was gifted with a singularly beautiful voice, and it seemed that he entered more fully into the song service of the church and Sunday school than almost any one there present, and on many occasions he has said that his prayers were expressed in song. Much cannot be written of him, partly because there is so much to say; partly because the most important things cannot be expressed in words. In his natural strength of mind and character this community has seldom seen his equal. It certainly has known no better man. Other men have made louder protestations of faith; some have said “I know no sin,” but his was a religion too deep for words—a religion of doing good, and that is the rarest kind. If deed be the measure of man, shall we not say that he was four-square and stood upright before his God? Can we appreciate the strength of his will, and the breadth and depth of his loving care? Where duty called he was there. To all he gave unstintingly; his life was a benediction; we all know how he worked. Even unto the very hour. How often was he a weary but no rest until the work was done? His work of love for mother, for sisters, for wife, for babies; one more service to do for them, one more day of joy and peace, that their hours might be brighter and the day more cheerful. Service for them until the last. Is there one among us that has done so much, or said so little about it? He took life seriously, for he knew of the work to be done; and yet, of work he made a joy. His cheery smile and glad handshake have made many a day brighter for those about him. The doing of little things made his life great. So many of us wait to do the big things, and thus do nothing at all. Life’s adventures did not tempt him far from home. But the biggest work is always there. Was it not worth while to become his father’s right arm? Was it not worth while to give him that loving care through all the years? Is it worth while to hear a mother say “I could trust him?” Is it worth while to have a sister say “He was my anchor?” Is it worth while to be a rock of refuge for a loving wife? Was it worth while to have the heritags of an honest name to his children? That was his religion and his creed. For these things he lived and for them he died. No man can do more; he could not have done less. He had so much to do, his presence is needed so, that it is hard to understand that he is gone. And yet, his life was rounded out, the measure was full. No sweeter pleasure is given those, who loved him so well, than the memory of his presence with them. Funeral services were conducted Monday at 10 o’clock a.m., from the residence by Rev. Levi Woody, enterment following in the Haryeysburg cemetery. – jlr