Stephen D. Gholson

 

 

Obituary

Professor Stephen D. Gholson

McLeansboro Times  May 3, 1883

Died---At Broughton, this county, Mr. S. D. Gholson, on Sunday, April 29th, at 6 o'clock P. M.

Dug (as he was familiarly called) had been lingering several weeks with that dread scourge of our land, consumption, and bore his fate with remarkable patience and true magnanimity, not murmering even when in the jaws of death. 

When seeing the last lingering ray of hope extinguished, he was calm and unshaken and expressed a desire that death would soon come to relieve him.  Fate struck her last and fatal blow---he yielded manfully, without a fear. 

Mr. Gholson was a young man about twenty-two years of age; he was of remarkable mind, and had a most brilliant intellect, steadiness of purpose and good resolutions.  From early boyhood he had taken great interest in education, and it was his delight to be in literary or debating societies. 

He has told me that he aimed to take up the study of law when he should have reached his twenty-fifth year.  Hisfavorite study was elocution, and in order to master that, he went to Philadelphia and took a through course in oratory and came out with high honors. 

He then took a position in the Ewing College as Professor of Elocution, and was doing good work and winning honors, until disease called him back to his father's residence, where he was tenderly cared for by his affectionate parents, his brother Sherman and sister Charity, and his many friends until his death.

  Professor Gholson had formed many acquaintances in different localities as he first began work as a teacher, and one had only to be acquainted with him, to be his friend, for he was a shining star, shedding his light to all around him, but now is set to rise no more. 

He filled a station that few young men of his age can occupy in his stead. We only can and do sincerely extend our sympathies to the bereaved parents, brother and sister.He was buried the evening after his death at the Big Hill cemetery.

We further only say, that young men who wish to make their mark in this world, will do well to take the life of Mr. S. D. Gholson as an example.  Wise men and all good people mourn, when honor and intellect deliver up their victories to the grave.M. S. C.

Copied by Rick Moore March 27, 2000.