Deacon Robert W. Kropff was born May 9, 1824, and died March 3, 1913; aged 88 years, 9 months and 24 days. He was married on December 5, 1844, to Miss Ann Gray, who died several years ago. They lived happily together, and had only two children, Mr. J. W. Kropff and Sister J. J. Poff, who lived to be grown.

 

Brother Kropff was an industrious farmer and very popular mechanic. He was always cheerful and pleasant toward his fellowmen, and had the confidence of his people as being an honest, conscientious citizen. He was a member of Salem Church, Floyd County Virginia. The writer has not the record, but thinks he was a member for about 40 years. He was also a deacon and a clerk. However grievous, he was unflinching in duty, and his mind was active for one of his age.

 

A few days before his death he told his daughter (Sister Poff) that he dreamed that two men brought his coffin into the room, He said it was the prettiest coffin that he had ever seen, and that it didn’t frighten him in the least. He wanted to get into it and only dreaded the sting of death.

He associated with the late Elder J. C. Hall at Salem Church, and were endeared to each other in that love and fellowship known only to God’s people. The church at Salem should remember his example set before us while he was with us; and how thankful we should be to the giver of all good for such blessings, and how he has remembered Zion and has blessed her with every needed blessing. When this dear old pilgrim was nearing the end, he raised up others to take his place in the duties of the church; so that “the promise is to you and your children and to them that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

Dear children, try not to weep for him, but think only of the rest that remains to him and how he has entered into the joys of the Lord and was freed from pain of his life; yet you will miss him and he will remain in your memory as long as you live.

 

H. V. Cole

Simpsons, VA.