(From History of the Tope Family, by Melancthon Tope, 1896, revised by A. D.
Maddux, copyright 1980, (used with permission)
(From the Lilborn Herald, Vol. 9, No. 40,
New Madrid County, Missouri, Friday, September 1, 1922)
New Madrid County, Missouri, Friday, September 1, 1922)
Lilbourn honored the memory of J. H. Tope Monday afternoon by turning out in large numbers at his funeral held in the First Baptist Church of this city, which was crowded to its capacity and many were unable to gain admittance. Between three and four o'clock of that day all of the stores were closed out of respect.
On Sunday afternoon preceeding the remains were taken from the train in which they were conveyed from St. Louis, where Mr. Tope had died in the Baptist Hospital at 7:30 Saturday night. A procession started from the depot headed by a chorus of girls clad in white, then Pastor Wigger, the casket borne by twelve men followed by Harry and Harold Tope who were in St. Louis with their father, and a crowd of sympathizing friends. The remains were in the Tope home over Sunday night and until taken to the church.
The floral decorations at the church were very beautiful and wreaths and sprays were brought in by four little girls in white dresses and laid upon the casket, borne by fellow church members and friends of the deceased and followed by members of the family.
The services were simple and comforting to the bereaved, the sermon being preached by Brother Tope's Pastor, Rev. W. M. Wigger, who feelingly referred to the Christian life of the deceased, his conversion about a year ago and elevation to office of deacon and his growth in good works in that particularly his last few months of life on this earth were consecrated to the work of the Master. Dr. D. K. Foster, came up from Caruthersville to attend the funeral and delivered a sermon prayer that will be long remembered by its hearers.
"Asleep In Jesus" was sung by a quartette, composed of Mesdames Mollie Castleberry and Helen Jones, Prof. I. M. Rubottom and 0. E. Heath. "Beautiful Isle Of Somewhere" was sung by Mrs. Helen Jones and Miss Dollie Craig. The choir sang "Safe in the Arms of Jesus;" Mrs. G. N. Wilson played the organ.
T. C. Knight & Son of Parma, funeral directors, rendered a most efficient service, freely commended by all and scores of others performed little acts of consideration by watching, digging the grave and in many ways evidenced their kindly affection for deceased and his bereaved and respected family.
Twenty three autos followed the hearse to New Hope Cemetery where, with prayer and song his mortal remains were laid along side those of his dearly beloved son, James Jr.
James H. Tope was born June 25, 1865, at Rockwood, Illinois, to George Washington Tope, an engineer at that city. He remained in that city working out of it as a locomotive fireman, until 1912 when he moved with his family to Mississippi county, Missouri, where he was engaged in farming. On September 11th, 1889, he was married to Miss Lavica Moore who survives him and to which union were born: Ike, Ralph, Fred, Katie, (Mrs. Crosno), Harry and Harold (Twins), James, Jr., Leslie and William, all of whom are living except James, who passed away July 16, 1921. Besides these deceased is survived by 11 grandchildren, 8 boys and 3 girls, a brother W. H. Tope of Rockford, Illinois; and a sister, Mrs. Chloe Tindall of Chester, Illinois.
During the high water of 1912 the Tope family moved from Mississippi Couty to Lilbourn where they have resided ever since.
Brother Tope has gone to his reward. Peace to his ashes. Next
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