OBITUARY

SKATES - In Liberty township, on Tuesday, April 28, 1885, Patrick Skates, aged 82 years and 2 months.

Mr. Skates was born in Halifax county, Virginia. In his fifteenth year, he enlisted in the Standing Army, in which he served five years. He then came to Marion county, Ohio, and was there married to Sarah Bowen, in 1829. Mr. Skates, with his family, came to Henry county in 1847, therefore he was one of the old pioneers of the Maumee Valley. He, with other first settlers, endured many hardships; but through all he was a kind husband and father, a good citizen, a pleasant neighbor, and a faithful Christian -- being, at the time of his death, a member of the Church of God. Mr. Skates was the father of thirteen children (seven of whom had preceded him), grandfather of thirty-seven, and great-grandfather of twenty-four children. He leaves his aged and loving wife, who had been his companion for over fifty-six years. There is a large circle of friends who mourn the loss of Grandpa Skates (as he was called), but God will comfort those who put heir trust in Him. Funeral services by G. W. Miller.

He walked the earth for four score years,
And they say that he was old --
That he was ripe for the reaper, Death --
That his years were well nigh told.
Yet life was sweet, and hope was his
For a life that is beyond,
Where sorrow and death will never come,
But joy and happiness abound.

A FRIEND