In Welton, Clinton Co. Iowa, March 3d, 1872, Dea. John Babcock, in the 69th year of his age. He was born in Harrison county, West Virginia; was the youngest son of Thomas and Martha Babcock; when quite young moved with his father to Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio; thence to Clark county, and was there married to Betsey, daughter of Timothy and Sarah Searl, in 1822. In 1825 she died. Soon after the death of his wife he made a public profession of religion, and united with the Seventh-day Baptist Church of Northampton, Clark Co., Ohio. In 1828, he was married to Elizabeth Hardman. In 1840, moved to Shelby county, near Port Jefferson. Here he united with the Seventh-day Baptist Church; thence to Defiance county, remained there several years, without church privileges. Desiring to enjoy the better opportunities, he moved to Welton, Iowa. At Port Jefferson he was appointed to serve in the deacon's office, and when the Church at Welton was organized he was one of its members, and here served as deacon, which office he filled, with much credit to himself and the cause, until he was removed to the general assembly and church of the first born. He was a man of unwavering Christian integrity, universally respected and beloved by all who knew him, retiring and modest in his habits and intercourse with his fellow men, for many years a fellow laborer with Eld. L. A. Davis. Ill health, with his own estimation of his own moral worth, was the occasion of feelings of despondency, for a number of years previous to his death. It was a source of great pleasure to us all, however, that in the course of the last winter, in the time of our revival season, the clouds of doubt, that had hung over his path for years passed away, and once more he enjoyed the lively assurance of his acceptance with God, and did the cause much good service, while we all rejoiced together; and his death was as triumphant and peaceful as his life had been upright and pure. The attention of his family in his sickness was a source of much joy to him. He retained his senses to the last, and went to sleep in Jesus to await the trumpet of the resurrection morning. We all feel that a good man has been discharged from the war, to our loss and his gain. V. H.
