Obituary

Kansan, Saturday, October 7, 1911

Gerritt DeLong was born in Clinton county, New york, March 4, 1833, died at his home in Newton, Kansas, October 2, 1911, aged 78 years, 6 months and 28 days.

Deceased moved from New york to Freedom, La Salle county, Illinois, in 1856, and was married there December 18, 1963, to Mary C. Cole. In 1884 he moved with his family to Newton, Kansas, locating on a farm just west of town. In the spring of 1886 he moved near Walton, locating on a farm, where he resided until the fall of 1897 when he moved to Newton and has made his home in this city since that time. Most o0f the time since he moved to Newton he has been employed with the Santa Fe railway company as watchman.

He leaves his wife, one son and two daughters. The son, Burton C., lives at San Diego, Cal., one daughter, Mrs. Nellie G. Clark, lives at Great Bend, Kansas, and the other daughter, Mrs. Hattie A. Hopper, lives near Canton, Kansas. The wife and two daughters were present when death came. The son arrived in time for the funeral.

Mr. DeLong had a very large acquaintance; he delighted in the friendship of neighbors and fellow workmen and did not have an enemy. He was a most unselfish man and his entire thought was toward doing for others and providing for those near and dear to him. He was happiest when performing his every day duties and was dissatisfied only when he could not be doing something. He was a remarkable man in that he lived to a good old age and was never sick until his recent sickness and always prided himself on his good health and general activity. He was of a very cheerful disposition, full of jokes and hearty good cheer. In his home he was a most devoted husband and father. Funeral services were held at the residence 321 East Seventh street on Thursday afternoon, October 5th.