The Quill
LaHarpe, Illinois
August 13, 1926
Page 1
Column 2Thomas M. Geddes
After some months of declining health and a severe illness of several weeks duration Thomas M. Geddes passed away at his home, one mile north and west of Fountain Green, on the evening of August 6, 1926, aged 79 years, 7 months and 4 days.
He was a lifetime resident of this community, born at the old homestead January 2, 1847. He was the child of Thomas and Rebecca Geddes, a worthy couple whose prominence in church and social affairs dated from their locating here in the early 30's.
Reared in a home where brain and brawn were given opportunity for best development, this son grew to manhood and in time took his place in life's activities, well equipped with fine physical endowment and excellent educational advantages secured in local schools and by college training.
When the civil war was launched, four members of the family were early enrolled as volunteers. It was a great grief to this youngest son that the insistent commands and demands of home forbade his enlistment. Nothing but profound regard for parental authority held him back from following the flag and when he saw his brothers march away without him the disappointment was deep and sincere and one he was long in forgetting. Of these worthy people there remain today: Capt. C. M. Geddes of Eldorado, Kansas; Mrs. Laura Brandon, of Tarkio, Mo., and Mrs. Julia Henry of Peoria, Ill.
On December 31, 1879 Thomas M. Geddes was united in marriage to Lillie M. Latherow, who with the four children born to them -- two sons, Arthur and Allen Geddes of this community, and two daughters, Mrs. Bertha Lord of near Boston, Mass., and Mrs. Julia Yetter of Chicago, survive to miss and mourn one who has been unfailingly affectionate, kind and helpful in his relation as husband and father. There are also five grandchildren, a most attractive group of little girls, very dear to the heart of this admiring grand-sire. The intense suffering of these later weeks, have been made more bearable by the devotion of these loved ones, whose constant ministry coupled with skilled medical care, did much to relieve the inroads of the fatal malady which so soon sapped his waning strength.
Mr. Geddes was a great home-lover. Surrounded by his well beloved books and papers, he found his greatest comfort and content, and here with unfailing friendliness, he was glad to meet and to greet all who crossed his threshold.
Quiet and retiring, he sought neither place nor preferment among the people; but was ever given by all who knew him the esteem and confidence merited by his upright honorable manhood. It was a great pleasure to converse with this well informed man whose intelligent grasp of national and historical events bespoke the breadth and depth of the knowledge gained by his constant study.
Repeatedly urged to give public expression to his valuable theories and devote his time to their working out for the public good, he emphatically declined to be drawn into affairs political, greatly preferring the enjoyment of home and family to any honors as admiring populace could bestow.
Mr. Geddes early became identified with the Presbyterian church of Fountain Green, where he oftimes served in official capacity. His many Christian virtues were evidenced in all the works and walks of life. To the last he exhibited a fine patience, and an abiding trust in the heavenly father he had faithfully followed. He passes on to the realms celestial leaving a record of duty well done, a life well spent, and an uplifting influence that must long continue a motive power for good. M. W. B.
