Henry Belshaw (1818-1892)

Obituary

Henry Belshaw, the subject of this sketch, was born in Nottinghamshire, England, September 18, 1818, and died December 12, 1892. At the age of 16 years he accompanied the balance of his family to the United States and settled in LaPorte county, where he resided until 1843, when he moved to Lake county and entered land which still forms a part of the old homestead, three miles southwest of Lowell. In 1844, on Independence Day, he was married to Miss Mary Smith, of Sherburnville, Ill., who for nearly half a century has kept even step with him along life's toilsome highway, sharing with him in equal measure the joys and the sorrows, the sunshine and the shadows that came to all in the great onward march to eternity. From this union nine children were born, seven of these are still living all of whom were present at the funeral; he also has two brothers who survive him and reside in Oregon. Father Belshaw was by birth and training a member of the church of England, and from early life was taught to reverence the Sabbath, love the Bible and fear God, and through a life of toil reaching beyond the age of three score and ten those ever present monitors, conscience and duty have been his guide through life and the memories of work well done his solace at its close. A faithful husband, father and friend through life. His remains were taken on the 13th to M.E. church where appropriate funeral services were conducted by Rev. E.P. Bennett who preached from the 14th chapter in the book of John, after which they were conveyed to the Pine Grove cemetery. An abiding faith in a happy meeting in the great Beyond, and a peaceful death at the close of his journey comprise the record of Father Belshaw. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."