Bio: Balch, Rella William (Memorial - 1913)

Contact: Ann Stevens

Email:  sdann88@yahoo.com

Surnames: Balch, Crothers, Snyder, Stockwell

----Source:  Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.)  Jan 2, 1913

Balch, Rella William (Memorial - 2 Jan 1913)

It is not given to us, and probably never will be given to men on earth, to solve the meaning and mysteries of Death.  Its problems to mortal eyes often seem unsolvable.  Today, we again face one of these.  Why has the King of Shadows marked for his sacrifice, one whose usefulness, whose uprightness, whose stand for all that is best in the community, was so apparently one who turned not aside when duty summoned, and who filled every place in life that he was called to fill.  But such is the case; while seemingly many useless lives are spared.  While it is not ours to solve this question, nor to criticize the ways of God, it is ours to remember the grand qualities of him who lived and labored with us, and to do all that we can to see that they are not forgotten.  Therefore, today we Resolve that it be placed in our records that by the death of Bro. Rella W. Balch, Neillsville Lodge 163 F & A.M. has lost one of its strong, brave members; this community has lost one of its first citizens; his family has lost a kind husband and father and all who knew him have lost one who stood as a model man, without false show or pretense, and one whose influence will long be felt among us.

Resolved that a copy hereof be presented to the bereaved family and the same be published in the local papers.

G.E. Crothers, A.F. Snyder, C.S. Stockwell