Nathan J. Read, Walworth's oldest citizen, died August 18, 1910. He was nearly one hundred years old. Death was the result of wearing out the machinery of his body. Unlike the most of us, Mr. Read was not sick; there was no disease that preyed upon his body; he had lived until he was tired, and so he fell asleep.
Nathan J. Read was born at Berlin, N. Y., December 17, 1811. His father, Jacob Read, died January 23, 1814. In 1818 Mr. Read moved to Petersburg, N. Y. He was married in 1838 to Louise Lewis, and in 1840 they moved to Adams, N. Y., where they lived until 1854, when they came to Walworth, Wis. To this union three children were born: E. P. Read of Jasper, Mo., Mrs. S. L. Maxson of St. Andrews, Fla., and a child who died in infancy. His wife died September 27, 1854. September 15, 1855, he was united in marriage to Anna M. Randolph of Walworth, and to this union, one child - F. D. Read of Chicago - was born. His second wife died January 24, 1891, and November 5, 1892, he was again married to Clarissa Maxson, who preceded him in death, May 19, 1909.
Nathan J. Read was a Christian. The date of his conversion can not be stated positively at this time, but during the time that he lived in Petersburg, in about 1835, he became a member of the Seventh-day Baptist Church. He has during these long years maintained his Christian character. At the time of his death and for many years his membership has been with the Walworth Seventh-day Baptist Church. Rev. L. C. Randolph said of him: "Uncle Nathan was a grand character. His ripe old age was the natural result of a sober, industrious, temperate, godly life by himself, and doubtless by his forbears. The most fundamental quality of all was his simple, deep faith in God. It permeated his whole life, and when his earnest face was seen in the church on the Sabbath, it simply expressed the spiritual life which was manifested in his common walk and conversation. He rejoiced that heaven lies not away beyond the clouds and starlit dome; but in the heart and in the home, and in the deeds of every day."
The funeral services were conducted by the pastor, elder A. P. Ashurst, at the Seventh-day Baptist church at Walworth, from the text. Heb. ii, 9: "That he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." The interment was at the Walworth Cemetery.
A. P. A.
