Jacksonville Daily Journal, Wednesday, December 5, 1900

OBITUARY

The death of Abraham Goodpasture, at 6:45 p.m. Nov. 29, called another pioneer from a busy life in old Morgan to the realms above, where pain and suffering are unknown. Abraham Goodpasture, known over the north end of the county as "Uncle Abe", was born in Overton County, Tennessee, June 14, 1817, of a family of ten children, only one surviving him, Mrs. L. B. Smith of this county. He emigrated to this state, with his parents, in the year 1826, located near concord and lived in that locality ever since. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Smith Feb. 14, 1844; of this union there were seven children, five living to be grown, four living at this time, viz: Mrs. Lewis Rexroat, Mrs. Henry Rexroat, Richard P. and J. J. Goodpasture; (Mrs. William Smith, deceased). Having the misfortune to lose his helpmate he was married the second time to Miss Zanner Richardson, July 1, 1857. Of this union five children were born, four living at the present time, Mrs. Howard Turley, of Cass County; Mrs. Henry Braner, Mrs. Walter Beddingfield, Mrs. J. O. Kennedy; (Mrs. Albert Clark, deceased). The mother Mrs. Zanner Goodpasture, was called from this life April 7, 1897. (She is buried in nearby Smith Cemetery.) "Uncle Abe", being industrious and of frugal mind, accumulated a good property and had every convenience on and about his home that goes to make a home comfortable and a fit place to spend his declining years, while his children were settled near him and spared no pains to make his last days as comfortable as circumstances would permit. Having been taught piety in childhood and he embraced religion at the age of 14, joined the Methodist Protestant church, and lived up to the principles of the church during the remainder of his long life, not as a mere member of the church, but as a conscientious, praying, working Christian who gave support to the church in more substantial tokens than words and deeds. A man outspoken and fair, whose word was as good as his bond, jovial at all times but never inclined to joke, always had a quotation of scripture ready for every emergency, a kind thoughtful husband, a strict but loving father and a good neighbor. Surely such men are scarce and a neighborhood is fortunate indeed to have such peope, and unfortunate when such are called to a higher life as Mr. Goodpasture surely has been. The funeral occurred on Sunday, Dec. 2, at the late residence of the deceased and was conducted by Rev. R. H. Goodpasture, a relative of the deceased, who had been instructed by "Uncle Abe" where to select his text, Heb. 9-27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment". The minister preached an eloquent and feeling discourse from the text selected by the deceased, dwelling upon the beauty, advantage and necessity of a Christian life if we would be honored in old age and permitted to enter into the joys of that blessed life promised to those who hold out faithful to the end.

The singing was in charge of M. O. Smith, who selected Miss Stella Petefish, of Literberry; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nickle, Mrs. Richard Smith, Mr. L. C. Smith, of Mt. Vernon; Miss Ella Rentschler, Mrs. H. Leonard, Mrs. R. H. Goodpasture, of Concord; Mrs. Ed RExroat, of Arcadia, organist. They sang the songs that the old father in Israel loved in his lifetime and many eyes were wet when they heard the sacred words of the old hymns swelling from the lips of so many good singers. Interment was made in the Old Morris Chapel Cemetery, where Uncle Abe was laid by the side of the companion of his youth. Mr. Williamson, of Arenzville, conducted everything in the most approved manner, gentle, quiet and unostentatious, winning the good will of the family and all who were interested. The floral offerings were extensive and beautiful. The bearers were grandsons of the deceased: Bert Smith, Thomas Murphy, John Turley, S. T. Erixon, Ed Rexroat and William Fuller.