Date : 02 Jun 1898
Location : St. Bridget's Catholic Cemetery, Simpson, MN
As the day was fading into twilight, Monday evening, May 30, 1898, the soul of Richard Campion slowly ebbed away at his home near Horton. Illness had held him in its cruel grasp for the past four months, dropsy being the immediate cause of his death. Although every effort was made by relatives and friends to prolong a life so dear to many, the Death Angel at last entered stealthily, snapped the life cord and he passed peacefully into the sweet sleep of rest, which awakes only in the happy home of the Angels where his wife and little daughter, Katie, were awaiting him.
Deceased was born in Queens county, Ireland, March 17, 1842. He came to Illinois in 1855 where he lived for three years. He then moved to Minnesota; here he married Miss Mary O’Rourke and settled in his present home where he won the respect and esteem of many friends by his true Christian example and charitable acts.
With three brothers and four sisters, a family of nine children are left to mourn his loss: Mrs. James Murphy of Randolph, Minn., and Martin, Nora, Charley, Elizabeth, Josephine, Edward, Gertrude and Cornelius who are at home.
The funeral, conducted by T. R. Lawler, was held from St. Bridget’s church. Rev. Father Condron celebrated high mass and preached a very touching sermon, after which the remains were carried to the cemetery for interment, accompanied by a large circle of friends, who come to pay their last respects to the memory of a true Christian and a noble citizen.
*Father, dear, and brother kind,
Thou hast left us here behind:
We give back, to God the fading flower
Of mortal shape, thy spirit wove.
Dust unto dust! Thy lips are still
That only spoke to cheer and bless;
Thy folded hands lie white and chill,
Unclasped from sorrow’s last caress.
While thou wilt roam in peaceful mansions,
With the Angels robed in white;
Thou art looking down from heaven
On the home that is sad tonight.
But we leave thee in peace, thou wilt not heed
These idle tears we daily pour;
For thou art happy in thy Angel home,
With thy wife and daughter evermore.*
Olmsted County Democrat - Jun 16, 1898
