THOMAS PINGRY                                  GRAVESTONE PHOTO                      

The Baldwin Ledger, Friday, Aug. 11, 1916, Pg. 1

Vol. XXXIII, No. 52

Rev. Thomas Pingry.

  Thomas Pingry was born in Jay county, Indiana, Jan. 26, 1848.  He lived here on a farm until 1863 when he enlisted in the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry and served until the close of the war.

  After the war he returned to Indiana and entered college.  Having taught school for two years he went to St. Clair county, Missouri, teaching there for two years.  Here in 1873 he married Amanda Short.  Returning to Indiana he taught four years there and then cam again to St. Clair county, Missouri taught and farmed.

  In 1880 he began preaching, his first charge being Mt. Rose, Mo.  He preached at various places in Missouri until 1889, when he moved his family to this city for educational purposes, taking a charge at Humboldt.  His wife died shortly after moving here.

  In 1898 he moved to Louisiana, Mo., and in 1900 he was married to Miss Maggie Jackson who survives him.  After preaching in Missouri for several years he moved to Oklahoma where he preached until the spring of 1915 when he retired from the active ministry.  The entire number of years of his ministry were 35 and while he was superannuated still at the time of his death he was supplying Blue Mound circuit in Linn county.

  He leaves six children, four girls and two boys, Edna Chase, St. Louis, Mo.; Lulu Davis, Joplin, Mo.; Nellie Hewlett, St. Louis, Mo.; Dorothy Pingry of this city; C. O. Pingry, Pittsburg, and Arthur Pingry of Dallas, Texas.  He is also survived by two sisters and a brother who live in Oklahoma.

  He died last Saturday, Aug. 5th, after a sickness of about two weeks.  His death was a shock to the community.  He gave the Decoration Day address in May and seemed to be in good health.

  The funeral services were conducted from his late home last Monday, Dr. B. M. Powell, district superintendent, officiating.  He was assisted by Revs. H. A. Church, C. G. Bear and C. W. Bailey.  The members of the G. A. R. and many friends and neighbors attended the services.  Interment was in Oakwood cemetery.

  A busy life worth while.