Obituary for Lewis Calvin Christian

Source: Atchison County Mail. 9 Sept 1910.

Died, at his home in Rock Port, on Tuesday, September 6th, 1910, Lewis Calvin Christian, aged four score years. Thus, another name is stricken from the ever lessening roll of our old settlers. It must be so, yet in such a death there is really no cause for grief. His lifework was done. Weary of suffering and waiting, he lay down to rest. Lewis C. Christian was born in Newport, Cocke County, Tennessee, and his ancestors were from Virginia. His mother, formerly Mary A. Doughty, was a native of Tennessee and her ancestors came from Maryland. Lewis C. was the sixth child in a family of 12 children, and was reared on a farm in his native county. On March 24, 1852, he started for Missouri, and located in Atchison County, on a farm where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1874 when he was elected County Clerk of Atchison County. This position he continued to fill very acceptably until January 1879. He was County Assessor from 1858 to 1860 and Justice of the Peace 15 years. He was also engaged in the mercantile business many years and was so engaged at the time of his death. Referring to his incumbancy of the office of County Assessor, Mr. Christian said, while at THE MAIL office last spring: "On account of there being few bridges in the county, I made the rounds, while listing property on horseback. The books for the assessment lists I made myself and they can be seen in the courthouse." Besides holding these offices, he was one of the Managers of State Hospital No. 2 in St. Joseph, MO. four years. In politics, he was a life long Democrat, participating in nearly all the party councils in Atchison County and being recognized as one of the party leaders. He was a member of the Prebyterian Church and had been, we believe, a member of the North Star Lodge No. 157 A.F & A. M. of Rock Port. Mr. Christian was devoted to his family, his church, his lodge, and his party. He was united in marriage on August 25, 1853 to Miss. Sarah M. Golden who was born in Howard County, MO in 1875. They had 10 children, five of whom are still living- John L., Laura A., James T., Allie L., and Charles M. William B., a prominent business man of Rock Port, died 2 years ago. Mr. Christian married a second time on August 2nd, 1876 to Mrs. Charlotte E. Squire, whose maiden name was Longnecker. Mrs. Christian survives him. Of Mr. Christian's brothers- Jas. H., Anthony, Preston, William, and Robert E.-all pioneers of Atchison County, only Judge R. E. Christian of Rock Port and William, of Kansas, survive him. Mrs. Julia Tate of Tarkio and Mrs. Elizabeth Doughty, of Flagler, Colorado, are his sisters. Mr. Christian was a man of excellent habits, fine moral character and of qualities that make a desirable citizen and good neighbor. And he was so well known to the readers of THE MAIL that comment from us in regard to his character is superfluous. Suffice to say, he lived nobly and died peacefully in advanced age. The stern Reaper found him 'as a shock of corn fully ripe for the harvest'. Not for him be our tears ! Rather let us crown his grave with garlands. Few of us will live as long and as well. Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church yesterday, at 2 p.m. under the direction of North Star Lodge No. 157, A.F. & A.M. Rev. R.B. West preaching the sermon.