Piqua newspaper
July 1887
Departed, An aged citizen gone, Passes Quietly Away.
Death separated the aged pair but a few short days. It was only on Sabbath, July 3, 1887, that the aged wife was called away. For nearly 62 years they had trod the path of life together. From early manhood and womanhood they had held sweet counsel together, borne the burdens of life together, and together worshiped the God of their fathers. Though this companionship had been greatly interrupted for the last 18 years because of an injury received by the wife, yet she was always spoken of in the most tender and affectionate way. They whom God had joined together, nothing but death could sunder. So it was that while all were expecting from day to day that the aged husband would depart, the gates of pearl opened first for his companion. The separation was but short. She had scarcely entered upon the enjoyments of the land of light till the two were reunited again, not in age, not in a youth that shall grow old, but in a youth that shall last while eternity endures, and in the blessed country where no one ever says "I am sick."
DEATH OF DR. BRANDRIFF
At 11:30 a. m. Saturday July 10, 1887, this aged servant of Christ passed quietly and serenely to his home in Heaven. He was already firt and sandated for the journey, and for days had been waiting the transfer to a brighter home above. Long a citizen of this city and county, the following sketch of him will be of interest to all who knew him: His great grandfather, Timothy Brandriff, came to this country from England in the early part of the 18th century, and about the year 1715 married to a lady named Hughes. Their son whose name also Timothy, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born about 1750, and with his parents, who lived in New Jersey, were among the first Methodists in this country. Jesse Brandriff; his son, and the father of the deceased, was born May 12, 1777, and was in due time married to a lady named Rhoda Garrison. Dr. Richard Brandriff was born at Cumberland, N. J., Feb. 3, 1803, and was therefore aged at the time of his death, 84 years. 5 months, and 13 days. He came with his parents to Mill Creek, near Cincinnati, where they assisted in building the old stone meeting house where Wesley Chapel now stands. Here they resided till about the year 1830, when they removed to a farm near Bethel Chapel in Clermont county, where the mother died July 14, 1856, in her 72th year, and the father Jan. 10, 1860, in his 83rd year. Dr. Brandriff was admitted to the Cincinnati Conference as an itinerant preacher in the year 1821, and as the "Boy Preacher" then only 18 years of age, traveled first the Oxford Circuit. After that he traveled, successively on the Greenville, Troy and Logan circuits, during which he experienced all the inconveniences of the early itinerant preacher. An interesting incident of his life in this connection is that on invitation he preached a few years ago at Versailles, Darke county, from the same text and near the same spot where as a young preacher he had addressed the fathers and mothers of those present a half century before. After laboring twelve years in this field, he superannuated in 1833, since which time his life was spent at Troy and in this city. Dr. Brandriff was fallible like all other men, but it can well be said of him that he did the right as God gave him to the right, earnestly and conscientiously. Satisfied as to what was right, he took his stand there, and nothing could move him. The rocks would have moved as soon. And, when it came his time to quit the activities of life and to look forward to death as in the near future, he looked upon it as but a step of this life into a better one. His business for both worlds was in good shape. For about 67 years he had been living for this great event, and he spoke of it to those with whom he conversed as though it was his chief desire to be at rest. He was ready and waiting for the Master's call; ready to say "Here am I." And so it was that a little before noon, this old time Abolitionist, this ardent Temperance advocate, this friend of the fallen and the oppressed everywhere, and this veteran servant of the Cross yielded up his spirit to Him who gave it, and is now doubtless singing the songs of the redeemed with the wife of his youth, so recently gone before him, with the blood washed throng about the throne, and with Jesus who redeemed him and washed him and gave him a mansion, a palm, a crown and any stars for his rejoicing in Heaven. Farewell dear friend of all. None knew him but to love him and do him reverence. No man in Piqua could be more missed; none has lived a better, purer, nobler life. The funeral took place at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Services at Greene Street Church conducted by Dr. A. B. Leonard.
The Miami Union
Saturday, July 23, 1887
Two weeks ago on Tuesday when Mrs. Brandriff was buried in Riverside it was deemed advisable by the family to have a double grave as her husband had been expected to pass away for weeks previous. He knew the 'time of his departure was at hand' and it was not possible for one so aged and feeble to survive long. So on Tuesday of this week at about the same hour Rev. Richard Brandriff was laid in his waiting grave. Those two who had journeyed through life side by side for over a half century were only separated by two short weeks. Again they are united to journey through all eternity together.
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