T. C. HUNGATE DEAD

The funeral of Mr. T. C. Hungate was held from the family residence Saturday afternoon, the funeral sermon being preached by Rev. G. L. Conley, and the services generally were under the auspices of the local lodge of Masons.

Mr. Hungate has long lived in Washington county, and in his residence here has acquired a wide acquaintance. His life was noted for its honesty and integrity, and his influence was always found on the side of right. As a citizen he was as near the ideal, in the judgement of The Pilot, as any man in the acquaintance of the editor. He was one of those men whose very life made it a pleasure to live about him and to know him. His words were always of the kindest, and if he ever had an ill word to say of anyone, it is a case unknown to the editor. At the funeral were people from all parts of the county who came to pay their last respects to their old friend and neighbor.

His illness dates back some time though it was only about two months ago that he was confined to the house and to his bed, and during his illness he has been extremely cheerful for one so afflicted.

Mr. Hungate was born in Washington county, Indiana January 24, 1833, and was a pioneer to Cuming City, Nebraska. In 1855 he was a first lieutenant of the home guards of Cuming City and for forty years has been a farmer up in Herman township. A few years ago he retired from the farm and has since made his home in Blair.

#2-5 Sept., 1906 - Blair Courier - Thomas Cornwell Hungate

Thomas Cornwell Hungate was born in Washington county, Indiana January 24th, 1833, and died at his home in this city last Thursday, August 30th, 1906 at the age of 73 years, 7 months and 6 days.

He was a member of a large family of which only one brother survives him, Rev. J. D. F. Hungate of Riverside, California.

Mr. Hungate came west in an early day and settled at Cuming City, this state, in April, 1855. He was among the very first of the early settlers and knew by experience all the trials and hardships of pioneer life.

The one who shared these trials with him bore the maiden name of Ann H. J. Martin, to whom he was married February 14th, 1856. Seven children were born to them, five girls and two boys, all of whom survive him save the oldest daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Hill, who died a few years ago. The daughters who mourn the loss of a beloved father are Mrs. Clara Cross, Mrs. Lettie Tucker, Mrs. Ada Nevins, Mrs. Hattie Smith of this city, and the two sons, Howard of Blithesdale, Mo. and Thomas W. of Herman, Neb.

The mother passed from this life March 20th, 1892.

By a second marriage Mr. Hungate was united on Thanksgiving Day of 1894 to Mrs. Louvina Tyson, who survives him, having faithfully and devotedly watched by his bedside during the long weeks of his illness until the final summons came calling him to the larger and better life beyond.

Mr. Hungate was an earnest Christian man, possessed of many excellent traits of character. In his early manhood he became interested in the subject of religion, was converted and united with the Mill Creek Baptist church in Indiana in June, 1849.

He was one of the charter members of the Cuming City Baptist church, which was organized in his log cabin home in 1858. This church was afterward moved to Blair and was the origin of the present First Baptist church of this place of which our brother held the office of deacon at the time of his death.

He loved the church of Jesus Christ and gave it a large place in his affections and devotion. He was anxious and willing to do his part to advance the interests of Christ’s kingdom.

The pastor and every member of the church will feel a personal loss which they see the place that he so faithfully filled in the church for so many years vacant. His voice of prayer, his words of encouragement will no longer be heard in the prayer and devotional meetings of the church, and his seat will be vacant where he was accustomed to sit each Lord’s day, but his influence will remain to strengthen and encourage us in the service of the Master. He lived a thoroughly good life and such a life will continue to speak in a living influence that cannot die.

Though the Church of Jesus Christ was dearer to him than any other organization on earth, yet he recognized the good in other organizations and some time ago identified himself with the Masonic order, members of which are present to assist in the last sad rites.

The world is better from the fact that he lived in it and he has gone to his heavenly reward in a good old age, having passed the three score years and ten in the service of his God. Well may we say:

“How blest the righteous when he dies!
When sinks a wearly soul to rest
How mildly beams the closing eyes!
How gently heaves the expiring breast.

So fades a summer cloud away;
So sinks the gale when storms are o’er;
So gently shuts the eye of day;
So dies a wave along the shore.”
Rev. G. L. Conley

The funeral service was held at the beautiful home on West Grant street at 2 o’clock on Saturday afternoon, his pastor, Rev. G. L. Conley officiating, assisted by Rev. John Patrick.

The following were the pallbearers: P. J. Gossard, J. S. Gerhard, J. A. Moore, R. Allbery, Thos. Wilkinson and J. G. Smith. Interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

#3-6 Sept., 1906 - Blair Democrat - T. C. Hungate

The death of T. C. Hungate last week removes a valuable citizen and one of the best of men. Wherever he was known he was admired. He was even tempered and kind and generous. For forty years he lived up in the neighborhood of Herman on a farm where he had a host of warm personal friends. He came to this county in the early fifties and did his full share in the building up of the county. A few years ago he moved to Blair, retiring from the farm. For some time his health has been bad, but until about two months ago he did not find it necessary to stay in bed. He has had the very best of attention and medical care, but gradually grew worse until the end came peacefully Thursday forenoon. His funeral was held Saturday from the home under the auspices of the Masons, Rev. Conley delivering the sermon.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #9919152