Washington G. Headlee Obituary
1912
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In Memoriam
Washington George Headlee was born April 20th 1842 in Perry township. He was the son of Eli Headlee and Mary Dulaney Headlee. Mr. Headlee was of English decent [sic], his more immediate amcestry having settled in the colony of New Jersey, from whence came the great-grandfather, Ephraim Headlee, who settled on Shannon Run. This ardent pioneer prepared the way for the coming generations. Under the circumstances of this partially accomplished mission the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. Surrounding such as are calculated to make Christian character predominant, developed this noble spirit in his life. W. G. Headlee was united in marriage to Mary Jane Lemley January 10th, 1867, who survives her beloved husband. To this union were born nine children, all of whom survive. Namely: Ida Headlee Dulaney of Mt. Morris, Pa., Jasper N. Headlee, Bradner Ohio, Oscar A. Headlee, Brock, Pa., Eli E. Headlee, Mt. Morris, Pa., David L. Headlee, McDonald, Pa., Benson S. Headlee, Mt. Morris, Pa., William W. Headlee, Waynesburg, Pa., Theresa O. Headlee and Ella M. Headlee, Mt. Morris, Pa. He is also survived by sixteen grand-children, one brother, David Headlee of Mt. Morris, Pa., and one sister, Mrs. Lydia Headlee Strosnider, Winchester, Va. Mr. Headlee resided for the greater part of his life in the Shannon Run vicinity. He became deeply interested in the cause of Christ at the time of the building of the Shannon run M. E. church, and was gloriously converted at the first revival meeting held in the newly erected place of worship, Rev. Charles McCaslin pastor. He continued from that time up until the summons came "to come up higher," a faithful and devoted follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. He filled almost all the official positions of the church common to the laiety, such as Sunday School superintendent, assistant class leader, trustee, steward, and delegate to the laymens conference. Mr. Headlee's religion was a vital part of his life. In his daily walk he truly said with Paul, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." One of his pastors upon being asked what constituted a righteous man replied, "W. G. Headlee is as good an example of a righteous man as I have known." Really those who knew him best knew him but to love him and his chief delight was to go about doing good. Though a resident of the country district, Mr. Headlee devoted most of his time to the carpenter trade. He was an excellent cabinet maker and in early life made much furniture for the home. Later in life he contracted extensively with many residences of Mt. Morris and vicinity as well as public buildings are examples of his workmanship. Mr. Headlee was an active supporter of various industries in the community in which he lived, being a director and vice president of the Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Mt. Morris, from its organization, and was a stock-holder in the Mt. Morris flouring mill. Although a man of the home and in a sense shrinking from public lifem he was frequently sought for and elected to public office, serving as Justice of the Peace both in the township and borough, holding this place at the time of his death. The departed was not a rugged man in the general acceptation of that term, at various times suffering greatly during the past thirty years. His final illness was of short duration being actually confined to his room but a few days before his demise. Death was due to heart failure, Firday morning August 16th 1912 as the sun of light and warmth was calling the things of earth to the activities of a new day the Son of Righteousness spoke to this loving child of God, and bore his soul away to feast on the things of the eternal day in that fairer shore. The spirit of this godly man, "This giant in Israel"went over - not out - to be with God. The funeral services were held on Sunday August 18th, 1912 at 2 p.m. A large congregation of people assembled at the Mt. Morris M. E. church to pay their last tribute of respect to their departed relative, friend, and neighbor, indicating the high esteem in which the departed was held. The funeral services were in charge of the pastor, Rev. F. L. Teets assisted by Rev. W. F. McKain, a former pastor. Suitable music was beautifully rendered by the church choir, the floral tributes from the W.C.T.U., his associates of the bank, and other friends were beautiful and appropriate. The six sons acted as pall bearers. The body was laid to rest in the Cedar Grove cemetery, his spirit having ere this taken its flight to the God who gave it. In the quiet of our homes, the melodies of our children's voices ringing sweetly in our ears, and our minds pulsating with the happy thoughts of our childhood, we do not think of our departed husband and father as dead, but that he "liveth and shall never lie." Liveth a better and more happy life than ever before. It would be unkind to say to our weeping hearts, "weep not" but our tears should not only be those of sorrow but of great joy as well.
"My Jesus, as thou wilt; Waynesburg Republican, August 29, 1912 (Greene County, PA)
Washington G. Headlee was born April 20, 1842, and died Aug. 16, 1912. He was united in marriage Jan. 10, 1867, to Mary J. Lemley, who survives, with six sons and three daughters. For many years he was an active member of Shannon Run Church, as Sunday-school superintendent and teacher. About two years before his death his membership was transferred to Mount Morris, where he remained faithful to the end. Brother Headlee had what Methodist call the "experience of religion." He testified in class-meetings and in revival meetings concerning the love of God in his heart. He brought his family to church. "He being dead, yet speaketh." One of the sons is the Rev. D. L. Headlee, of the Pittsburgh Conference. W.T. H. Newspaper Obituary, date and source unknown (Greene County, PA) |
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