Stillwater Valley News
January 5, 1928
Richard M. Albery - Obituary
Richard M. Albery was born in Franklin County, Ohio, August 26, A. D. 1842, his spirit departed December 29, A. D. 1927, after a brief illness from the infirmities of old age, and after an earthly sojourn of 85 years, 4 months and 3 days. He was the son of John M. Albery and Sarah Baldwin Albery; both parents being natives of Licking County, Ohio, who were hardy pioneers of that section of the state. The subject of this eulogy was reared on a farm and in early manhood learned the carpenter trade, thus being an apprentice, journeyman and contractor plying his craft for a term of years in the far west. In the year A. D. 1864, Mr. Albery twice attempted to travel overland to the Pacific Coast and in each attempt his purpose was frustrated by encountering bands of savage Indians. With indomitable will he pursued his purpose by going to New York city and embarking on a sea going vessel and by crossing the isthmus of Panama, thence sailing up the coast, finally reached his coveted destination, and there the craftsmanship of early ambition was fully realized. During his nine years of toil and residence in the sunset states he made three visits to his native states, and on the second trip east and while making a visit to an uncle in the state of Indiana, he first met Hannah Izabelle Fowler, daughter of Hezekiah Fowler, resident of Randolph County. On the third trip east he claimed the woman of his choice and she gave her hand in holy wedlock to the ardent lover. Their marriage occurred near the site of his tomb at Sugar Grove Church yard on December 22nd. A. D. 1887, vows being pledged to each other before Elder Mohler, Minister of the Gospel. In the year A. D. 1873, Mr. Albery purchased the saw and feed mills, located one mile south of Covington, and there he further toiled and by religiously practicing the golden rule he gained a modest estate and reared a family of three sons and three daughters; Martin S., Morris W., Richard F., Mary Caroline, Esther and Mabel, all of whom have preceded him to the world, save Richard F., the youngest son, who with his family remained in close proximity to the homestead to comfort and succor the declining years of a devoted father and mother. Besides the only surviving son and his family, there remains the faithful companion, who for more than a half century walked and toiled with the companion of her youth through the many years of travail, sorrow and the passing of loved ones with all the fortitude that only the believer in the immortality of the soul can endure. R. M. Albery was manly man, one of God's noblemen, distinctly a home lover, a devoted husband, a thoughtful father and a follower of the Great Exemplar of Galilee, his only prototype; always making every personal sacrifice for the care and education of his children, and in late years his grand-children; his particular virtue was living a life of sterling integrity and self-sacrifice, thus gaining life eternal by losing himself in devoted service to loved ones in his earthly pilgrimages. He was a great lover of nature and his habit was to arise early in the day and take long walks through the lanes and along the water courses and the woodlands and admire and commune with his creator and thus he worshipped God and his handiwork, with reverential awe. Every fibre of his nature rebelled against all forms of vice and wrong doing; he took his place in civic enterprises of his immediate vicinity and served with honor and integrity on local boards of Trusteeship, particularly on the Board of Education while the present High School Building was being erected and financed, where his good judgment and his early training in wood craftsmanship was a valuable asset to the community. He was a loyal friend and we who knew him best from an intimate association, can affirm with the Psalmist; that he "put his trust under the shadow of the wings of God and there saw the Light" that made his life while here an inspiration and in his passing a benediction.
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