Vail, Joseph Robert

Passed: 1922-12-24

Age: 71

Source:

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1922-12-27

Information: Joseph Robert Vail was born in Ripley, Virginia, (now West Virginia) April 19, 1851, died at his home December 24, 1922 about 2 p.m., being 71 years, 7 months and 5 days old.  He was the son of Isaiah and Louise C. (Graham) Vail, who preceded him to the grave a number of years ago.  He married Miss Anna B. Robinson of English parentage (the sister of Mrs. Holly G. Armstrong, of Ripley) in Pittsburgh, Pa., June 20, 1883.  To this union three children were born, viz:  Barta Marie, Richard Cornelius and Joseph Bream. The two first named were called to the ""far away home of the Soul"" several years ago.  He leaves to sincerely mourn his passing away, his devoted wife, his loving son, Joseph Bream, his brother, John T., of Blue Rapids, Kansas and his sister, Mary E. Bounds of Newark, Ohio, a large number of other relatives and a host of friends.  Mr. Vail belonged to the ninth generation of the Vail family, was a descendant of Jeremiah Vail, his first ancestor, who was born in the West of England in 1618, and later came to Salem, Mass. about the year 1639.  For a period of over five years he had been a great sufferer from a complication of diseases which terminated fatally.  His death had been expected almost daily for three weeks before the end came.  The writer and Mr. Vail were boys together and I knew him intimately - in fact we were chums and close friends all his life.  Were I to assert that he had never in his life swerved from the line of right, or that he possessed no faults, he would be the first to rebuke me for the exaggeration and I can fancy that those silent lips earst so prompt and strong for honesty and truth, would say, ""No I was human and had my failings"" as we all have and let us hope that he made his sacrifice to God in a repentant spirit; for we all know that God's word tells us that "" he will not despise a contrite and humble heart.""  Mr. Vail's education was limited to the common schools of our section.  However he was an inveterate reader and collected about him a fair library and he loved his books and made constant use of them until he had a well stored mind of general information and could converse intelligently upon most subjects.  He was an interesting companion and conversationalist and especially on pre-historic subjects.  He kept well posted on the current events of the day, being a close reader of a number of the popular magazines and newspapers of the country.  He was admired for his intellectual gifts and many, yes very many, will miss his bright, social and genial traits of character that fascinated and charmed, and who now - ""Long for the touch of a vanished hand, And the sound of a voice that is still.""  Mr. Vail endeared himself to his family and they in turn to him - no more tender, constant and devoted wife man ever had, than was Mrs. Vail, likewise his son Joe was true and loyal to his father - every care, attention and consideration that was possible was given him by his loved ones and his physicians.  But God who doeth all things well called him to the unknown beyond.  Mr. Vail had a frank and manly greeting; a genial companionship; he had a fund of anecdotes and illustrations; his undaunted courage and unswerving integrity and honesty, all united in a personality representing in his younger and middle age the most perfect specimen of physical manhood, made him many friends and caused him to be respected by all.  Mr. Vail lived in Ripley, his native town all his life.  Was a furniture merchant, skilled cabinet maker and undertaker.  Served his town as mayor.  Was a progressive and influential citizen of his town.  He loved his neighbors, was uniformly kind and generous to the poor and loyal to his friends.  May ""the Father of mercies and the God of consolation, who comforteth us in all our tribulations,"" pour into the hearts of his bereaved loved ones the balm of His healing and soothing grace.  The last sad rites were performed Wednesday afternoon conducted by Rev. Guy Crook of the Episcopal Church assisted by Rev. C. B. Graham of Charleston and Rev. C. E. Goodwin of Huntington at the home and his body was laid to rest in Pine Hill Cemetery where his calm strong face was never to be seen again.  ""Till impregnate with Jehovah's blast, Graves bring forth, and at his menace dread, In the smoke of planets melting fast, Once again the tombs give up their dead.""  The pall bearers were, Dr. W. W. Armstrong, W. A. Harrison, J. M. Wright, J. F. Carney, Ira Hinzman, Harry S. Aremstrong.         H. G. A.