Friday morning, March 15, 1907, there passed from this life Albion's most honored and beloved citizen. For weeks he had been in poor health, but there were no grave fears from his condition until he took his bed a few days before the end. The dread disease, pneumonia, laid its chilling hand upon his form, and, quietly as he had always lived, he slipped peacefully out unto the life beyond.
Charles Rollin Green, the eldest son of Duty and Mary Coon Green, was born at Alfred, N. Y., March 11, 1836. When about six years of age he came to Albion, Wis., where a long and honorable life was passed. His education was received at Albion academy.
He was united August 31, 1856, to Frances Minerva Williams, and a singularly happy and devoted married life was lived by them for more than half a century. They have walked side by side almost from childhood and their hearts were grown almost into one. Their joys, hopes and sorrows had become one as they passed from silver to the golden period of life and on towards the diamond. She was to him the sunshine of life, and he was her shelter in the time of storm. Last summer a group of treasured friends gathered at the homestead to set up for them the golden milestone, with blessed memories of a rich past and happy hopes for the future.
He was baptized and joined the Seventh-day Baptist church under the revival work of Pastor Thomas E. Babcock and Elder Varnum Hull, and remained a steadfast member and generous supporter of the church till called to the other life. Not only did he bear a share in the religious life of the community, but every good interest which made for the welfare of his fellow men, claimed his support, and with all these his life was closely identified.
Since the organization of the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery he has been the efficient secretary and treasurer. His judgment was sought in the many problems that men must solve, because men had learned that he was wise and could be trusted. For forty years his town men have committed to his faithful and painstaking care as town clerk the keeping of the town of Albion, a trust which he has held sacred. For those who shall succeed him, and for those in whose behalf this labor has been performed with such fidelity, his example will be pointed to; that of a rare constancy and trustworthiness in these days when so many men have been weighed and found wanting.
Added to these virtues, we find him a man of peace. The Master said, 'Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the children of God.' Sitting in the seat of justice for twenty-five years who can number the neighborhood differences which he settled amicably? Always he plead to peace. 'Settle it out of court was his advice, and those who followed his wise counsel lived to thank him for his kindly offices. Essentially a man of few words, he could be relied on in the crises of life to speak firmly for justice, righteousness, purity and peace.
The home was filled on Monday, March 18th, with a large company of mourning friends who gathered to pay their last tribute to the dead. The service was conducted by Pastor T. J. Van Horn who read appropriate scripture and offered prayer. He spoke words of comfort from the text II Cor. 4: 17, 18. 'For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.'
Viewed through the earthly vision, affliction is not light. We must compare the loneliness, the loss of the beloved form - the things which are temporal - with 'the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' This can be done only while we look at the things which are not seen - the things which are eternal.
The great essentials of eternity are the elements of true character and these were exemplified by our brother in justice, purity and peace. The possession of the memory of these is a rich heritage - 'a weight of glory.' Following the sermon, a warm personal tribute was paid to Mr. Green by a life-long friend, Mr. Thomas J. Atwood of Edgerton. The service closed with a song, 'Only Remembered by What I Have Done,' sung by Mrs. Harold H. Babcock. The burial was at Albion cemetery.
An only son, Rollin C. four grandchildren, and the loving wife of his youth remain to mourn the first break in the family circle. Two brothers, Joseph and Jesse, and a sister, Mrs. Harriet Green Potter, also ... [remainder cut off in the copying process.]
