Biography - JOSEPH H. FINNEY
Joseph H. Finney, late of Newman, was born in Parke
county. Indiana, January 10, 1849, and died September 9, 1897. In 1873 he
was married to Miss Kate Porter and after her death married .Miss Agnes
Valodin. For twenty-three years Mr. Finney was in business at Newman at
which he successfully continued up to the time of his death. He left a wife
and two sons: Porter and Everett; also two sisters, Mrs. W. P. Miller and
Mrs. W. D. Goldman, and four brothers; E. C., Daniel, David W., and Robert.
For several years Mr. Finney was an active and influential member of the .M.
E. church at Newman, and at his funeral in speaking of the deceased, the
pastor spoke in substance as follows: "Joseph Finney did not lack in noble
habits. He was a true friend. Friendship to him was not an ideal something,
but a living reality. He had no enemies, for he let his life cast true
friendship on every other life. No envy or malice could .grow in his nature.
He was benevolent to a fault, if it is ever a fault to be benevolent. Some
man who knew him well, said, 'If Joseph Finney only had twenty dollars in
the world and someone in need were to ask him for aid, he would give
nineteen of the twenty to the destitute.' Such was his nature.
"Gentleness was a marked characteristic of his nature. No unkind words would
Mr. Finney say of those who may deserve them.
"He understood human nature well and because he knew the need of sympathy he
understood now to look with charity on the failings of others.
"No man was ever discouraged or weakened by associating with Joseph Finney.
On the other hand, all who knew him felt the influence of an honest, gentle,
manly spirit. Probably none have felt natural weakness more, but none have
shown more truly than the deceased a strong heart and an irreproachable
character. If ever a man was worthy of charity, that man was Mr. Finney.
"In his home, in social life, and in business relations he was ever the
same. No harshness, no sharp criticism, no fault finding marred his
intercourse with others.
"He was ever a man of noble aspirations. He was never satisfied with present
experience or achievements. His testimonies in class meeting and prayer
meeting always spoke humility and resolution and noble desire.
"He knew how to struggle. And though like every other man he may sometimes
have erred, yet, like David, he knew how to rise above difficulty and even
defeat. His frankness was striking. He was never afraid to do the manly
thing.
'"To his pastor he spoke with Christian confidence during his illness of his
trust in God, and conscious peace at heart. He was the kind of man that God
loves, — humble, sincere, trustful, penitent.
"The words of Shakespeare may be truly said of him: 'His life was gentle,
and the elements so mixed in him, that nature might stand up and say to all
the world. This was a man.' "
He was buried at Tuscola, the funeral ceremonies being conducted by Rev. J.
M. Oakwood, assisted by Revs. Calhoun and Piper. Mr. Finney was a Mason and
was a member of Melita Commandery at Tuscola, the members of which had
charge of his remains; he was also a member of the Knights of Pythias and
Modern Woodmen. His widow, Mrs. Finney, resides at Newman and before her
marriage was a Miss Valodin, of Oakland. She was a daughter of M. B. and
Sarah Ann (Redden) Valodin. Her father was born in Ohio and her mother in
Illinois. Mrs. Finney is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at
Newman and highly interests herself in church work, being one of the class
leaders.
Extracted 08 Sep 2018 by Norma Hass from the Historical and Biographical Record of Douglas County, Illinois, published in 1900, pages 175-176.
