St. Clair County Obits

ROBERT KETCHAM

Appleton City Journal
6 September 1894
Robert Ketcham sweetly fell asleep August 20th, 1894, at the home of his sister, Mrs. J.T. Yonce, in Appleton City, Mo.
Nine months ago he was accidentally shot by a pistol in the hands of a friend at Vicksburg, Miss. Since which time he has suffered most intensely, all of which he bore so patiently that all who witnessed it felt that he was one of earth's heroes.
Only 27 years of age - just in the springtime of a promising life - cultivated, educated and refined. Left an orphan at an early age he experienced all the lonely bitterness that none but those who have passed through similar trials can understand or appreciate. Yet by his perseverance and energy he made his way to an enviable position, with a promising future.
With all that medical skill could devise or loving hands administer his stay among us could not be prolonged, and while our hearts ache with a sense of our bereavement, yet we who witnessed his triumphant and beautiful entrance into the beyond are made to exclaim, "Death is swallowed up in victory." We know that not one of us who stood by his deathbed and heard his assurance of the beauty and grandure of the eternal world that opened to his enraptured vision but will be made a better man or woman.
While his life was beautiful, his death was a sweet benediction to us all, and we felt encouraged to press onward in the divine life, let the pathway be ever so thorny, after his assurance "that it is sweet to trust God all your life." It was a thrilling scene, that radiant dying face, surrounded by tearful friends. We will never forget the glorified expression of his face as he would exclaim at greeting mother, sister and dear ones gone before. Turning to his sister he would exclaim, "oh! This is grand." Tearful, bereaved one do not weep, but rather rejoice at his glorious promotion.