Home > United States of America > Kansas > Clay County > Clay Center > Greenwood Cemetery > James Hemphill

James Hemphill

Birth	:	Nov 1800 County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Death	:	30 Sep 1888 Clay County, Kansas, USA
Burial	:	Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.4011002, -97.1275024
Plot	:	Addition 1, Block 1, Lot 67
Description	:	NOTE: Birth date used here is from the obituary reproduced below; note the headstones both show 1802 as year of birth. * * * An Old and Honored Landmark As the years sweep by us, they bear with them, from time to time some of our beloved landmarks. One of our highly esteemed and respected landmarks has been, these many years spared to us by the mercy of Providence, to teach us by his examplary life and conduct, what is required to make up and round out the most perfect life possible, of the "noblest work of God." Mr. James Hemphill,... Read More	NOTE: Birth date used here is from the obituary reproduced below; note the headstones both show 1802 as year of birth. * * * An Old and Honored Landmark As the years sweep by us, they bear with them, from time to time some of our beloved landmarks. One of our highly esteemed and respected landmarks has been, these many years spared to us by the mercy of Providence, to teach us by his examplary life and conduct, what is required to make up and round out the most perfect life possible, of the "noblest work of God." Mr. James Hemphill, known to all as "Grandpa Hemphill," is a perfect type of such a landmark. Drawing near the end of a long life characterized by temperance, justice and truth, his retrospection is undimmed by shadows, and his future radiant with the reflection from the reward that awaits the end of a long and well-spent life of 89 years duration. "Grandpa Hemphill" moved to Kansas in 1859 and to this city in 1885. About ten years ago, he was presented with a gold-headed cane by a few of his friends, and when the scheme became public, many felt slighted because they had not been asked to contribute. The names of the donors engraved on the cane are as follows: M. M. Miller, H. M. Fraizer, U. H. Emick, W. H. Underwood, J. W. Miller, Jon. Hanna, Jas. A. White, H. H. Taylor, W. S. Beatty, P. Rothman, Mrs. Rothman, G. Kuhle, Allen Wilson, C. W. Linder, Rev. W. S. Davis, J. A. Ditmar, J. S. Sterling, N. Golliber. Inscription on the cane: "Presented to James Hemphill as a token of respect." At this time, we think it appropriate to reproduce the above from this paper at a time when the death of the late James Hemphill was early expected, as being an occasion of much pleasure to the aged man near the close of his life. The cane referred to in the above article is one presented to the lamented Mr. Hemphill some twelve years ago, when he was lying very low, and was a token that was much treasured by him through the remainder of his life. The cane, appropriately draped, was carried by Mr. Golliber, one of the pallbearers, to the grave, and there was given to his eldest son, Mr. James B. Hemphill. The names of the pallbearers, etc., were: N. Golliber, Col. C. M. Anthony, P. H. C. Bruce, H. H. Bloss, A. R. Ryerson, E. W. Newell. A beautiful and appropriate part of the services was acted by six young ladies, who followed the pallbearers carrying pure white flowers, intending to be symbolical of the pure and gentle life of the deceased, which were dropped softly and reverently upon the casket. The names of the young ladies participating in this service were, Gertie Shawhan, Bertha Usborne, Lillie Taylor, Bessie Shawhan, Alma Towsend, Lottie Finch. * * * PREACHED BY JOHN S. PARK AT THE METHODIST CHURCH, SEPTEMBER 30, 1888 First Timothy 4:8 Mr. James Hemphill, or "Grandpa" Hemphill, as everyone was pleased to call him, was born in County Antrim in the north of Ireland, in Nov. 1800, and hence would have been 88 years old in next November. He learned the business of a weaver and practiced that trade of several years. In 1828 he married Margaret Irwin. About 1833 he came to America and worked at the trade of a weaver in Ohio. About the year 1837 he moved to Iowa. In the year 1858 he removed to Kansas and settled at Milford, Davis Co. Shortly after his settlement occurred the drought and hot winds of 1860, owing to which no crops were raised, and the people of Kansas were compelled to call upon the older states for assistance. Many of the inhabitants were compelled to return to the older states for want of the absolute necessities of life. Grandpa Hemphill remained and passed through the hardships of the following winter. All the provisions eaten that year were hauled from the Missouri River. Being in Kansas that year, I saw the destitution of the people owing to the drought and I have never seen anything like it. It was in scenes like these that the character of Grandpa Hemphill shone to its best advantage. Few men of three score years, which he had then attained, could have passed through those hardships as he did. He never spoke of them unless mentioned by others. Modest as a woman, but brave as a lion, he was a man of deeds, and not of words, a hero unknown to fame. Born of Scotch-Irish ancestry, who came over from Scotland to Ireland during the persecution for conscience' sake, he was reared under the most careful religious influence. The Sabbath was observed; the Bible was read; the catechism was committed; the house of God was attended by the entire Presbyterian population. Nowhere in the world is the standard of piety higher than in Scotland and the North of Ireland. After his removal to Iowa and especially after his removal to Kansas he was deprived of the regular preaching of the Gospel. He remarked to me two years ago that he appreciated the preaching of the Gospel above every other blessing, but that he had been deprived of that privilege to a great extent by moving to new countries. During the last two years of his life, his failure of hearing absolutely deprived him the pleasure of hearing the Gospel preached. He was one of the original members of the Clay Center Presbyterian church, originated on April 1, 1871; at which time he was more than three score years and ten, a striking example of the truth of God's word: "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." And now today when the children, grandchildren and great-children of this old man gather in this house of God to render to his memory the last sad offices of kindness, they see the love and honor of a whole community shown to one who never caused a tear to fall from the eye of his fellow man. (this was edited as it contained several verses of poetry, readings from Shakespeare and other quotes from literature that were just too time consuming to type up.) Source: Clay County Democrat, Oct. 12, 1888.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is James Hemphill's memorial?
James Hemphill's memorial is located at: Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Clay County, USA.
When did James Hemphill death?
James Hemphill death on 30 Sep 1888 in Clay County, Kansas, USA
Where are the coordinates of the James Hemphill's memorial?
Latitude: 39.4011002
Longitude: -97.1275024

Family Members:

Children

Henry Hemphill

(1827 - 1909)

John J. Hemphill

(1829 - 1885)

Nancy Jane Hemphill Ristine

(1831 - 1893)

James B. Hemphill

(1833 - 1926)

William Hemphill Sr.

(1841 - 1929)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Greenwood Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4011002, -97.1275024

2. Saint Peter and Saint Pauls Catholic Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4005450, -97.1236680

3. Clay County Poor Farm Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3772700, -97.0727000

4. Wilson Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3800011, -97.1896973

5. Hayes Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4516983, -97.0811005

6. Republican City Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3431015, -97.1628036

7. Swedish Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4735985, -97.1268997

8. Morganville City Cemetery
Morganville, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4733009, -97.1819000

9. Broughton Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3306007, -97.0535965

10. Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4911700, -97.1455100

11. Ebenezer Cemetery
Green, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3866997, -96.9974976

12. Brethren in Christ Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4810982, -97.0344009

13. Green Cemetery
Green, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4235992, -96.9882965

14. Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5027900, -97.1828200

15. Zion Lutheran Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2928009, -97.1557999

16. Idylwilde Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5097900, -97.0713000

17. Idana Cemetery
Idana, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3574500, -97.2693300

18. Milo Chapman Gravesite
Broughton, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2888500, -97.0724400

19. Fancy Creek Cemetery
Green, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4668999, -96.9969025

20. Garfield Center Mission Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5243100, -97.1277500

21. Gilbert Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2853012, -97.0625000

22. Bloom Cemetery
Morganville, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4519005, -97.2778015

23. Joseph Sender Family Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5090600, -97.0348800

24. Lincoln Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4230995, -97.2930984