Thomas W Horsley
The Paris Post, Friday, July 7, 1899
Death Of Thos W Horsley
He Succumbs to His Sickness and is Laid Away by Loving
Hands
The whole community was startled on Sunday when news came that Brother Thomas W Horsley was dead. People could hardly believe it and everyone hoped that the report would prove untrue, like one that came a few days previous and to the same effect. But it proved too true and the loss of a faithful, willing, public servant is felt in our midst.
Brother Horsley was taken down sick about three months ago. On the morning of the day he first noticed he was not well, he worked on the tabernacle pipe organ, remedying one or two defects connected with it. He perspired freely; and as he said afterwards, he must have taken cold. He tried to fight against being laid up in bed, but all to no purpose. On the following Friday morning he was in a burning fever and suffered great pain in his limbs, mostly his right arm and left leg. This pain continued until it developed into inflammatory rheumatism. For several weeks he lay in agony, now improving and now having a relapse. Finally he expressed a wish that he would like to go to Soda Springs, where some of his children were, thinking the mineral water would aid him. He went to Soda Springs and a month to the day he got there, he died. For some time before his death, his devoted wife saw that no earthly power could save him. He went into unconsciousness and at a time was irrational in his talk. At a quarter to eight o’clock on Sunday morning last, July 2, as the glorious sun burst over the valley, the spirit of Brother Horsely was freed from its tabernacle. He died peacefully and without a struggle. His last words were; "Mother dear," a tern he always used when addressing his faithful wife.
The body was prepared for burial and shipped on Monday morning’s passenger to Montpelier, where relatives and friends met it and escorted it to the family residence in Paris.
The funeral services were held in the First ward Hall on Monday afternoon. The Stake Tabernacle would have been used for the purpose, had it not been decorated for the Fourth. The meeting house however had been nicely arranged for the last sad rites, white crepe and flowers having been used to relieve the sadness of the occasion. The High Council, of which the deceased was a member, took charge of the funeral arrangements, Elder Thomas Sleight having been chosen by that body to preside. The singing by the stake choir was beautiful. The opening hymn was "Thy Will Be Done." Prayer was offered by Elder John A Sutton Jr. The choir then sang a selection, "One Sweetly Solemn Thought," which the deceased had been particularly impressed with just before his sickness, as being a suitable piece for a funeral.
Tributes of respect to the departed one and to his sterling worth and integrity, as well as words of comfort and consolation to the bereaved, were then made by the following brethren in the order named: Elders Walter Hoge, Arthur Budge, James Athay, Jos R Shepherd, James H Wallis and Thomas Sleight.
The choir then sang, "Sweet Rest in Heaven" and benediction was pronounced by Elder John A Sutton.
The cortege, which was a lengthy one, then proceeded to the cemetery, where a quartette, composed of Sisters Mary and Lottie Nye and Elders Joseph R Shepherd and James H Wallis sang "Repose."
The grave was dedicated by Elder W W Billings, when all that was mortal of Brother Thomas W Horsley was laid away until the great last trump shall sound.
The floral offerings were beautiful and there were many of them, while everybody seemed to mourn with those were stricken with grief.
Thomas W Horsley was born at Stratford-on-Avon, England, October 15, 1840. His parents were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as soon as he was eight years of age he was baptised. In 1858 he was married to Sophia Edgehill, who survives him. In 1862 he immigrated to Utah and in July 1870 moved to Bear Lake. In 1882 he moved to Soda Springs where he remained until 1891, in which year he moved to Salt Lake city. His health failing him there, he moved back to Bear Lake in 1895, remaining here until his death. He leaves 7daughters, 3 sons and 23 grandchildren to mourn his loss.
Elder Horsley has held many important offices in the priesthood from deacon to High Priest and at his demise was a member of the High Council. He was a great lover of music, in fact he was a worshiper at the shrine of Apollo. Before emigrating from England he was leader of the choir in Birmingham which had the reputation of being one of the very finest choirs in the British Mission. Brother and Sister Windley of St Charles were members of that choir and there are hundreds living who know of it by reputation.
Shortly after moving to Bear Lake he was selected as stake choir leader, which position he held until moving to Soda Springs. On coming back to Bear Lake the second time, he was appointed stake choir leader in June 1897 to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Elder W N B Shepherd to Salt Lake city. This position he held until his death.
While in Salt Lake City from 1891 to 1895, he was a member of the Tabernacle Choir and went with them to the World’s Fair. He was one of the male chorus that captured the prize there of $250,000 and with his two daughters, Adelina and Amy, sang in the Choir when it carried off the second World’s prize of $1000.00. Although it was the opinion of almost everybody they should have been awarded the first prize of $5000.00, but there was too much prejudice against the Mormon Choir.
Elder Horsley was a member of the Paris Home Dramatic Company and was very clever on the stage. He was always on hand to help in any worthy cause and he never tired of assisting in any public benefit. He was a devoted and affectionate husband and father and while he has not left to his children a fortune, yet he has left that priceless heritage which money cannot buy-a name without a stain, a reputation without a blemish.