Date of Death: 17 June 1888
The Democrat, Vol. XXVIII, No. 52, Franklin, IN, June 22, 1888Death of Wm. Law — Wm. Law, a well known citizen of Johnson County, whose failing health was noticed last week, died at his home in Pleasant township, two and a half miles southwest of Greenwood, on Sunday, June 17th, in his sixty-ninth year. His health had been giving away for some time, being undermined it was thought by the great amount of trouble that had been forced upon him in the past year, resulting in the loss of his mind, but being perfectly quiet and harmless, he was allowed to remain at his home after having been declared of unsound mind. He refused to take any nourishment and finally became totally helpless and died quietly and peacefully while sitting in his chair.
He had accumulated a large estate and was ever ready to lend a helping hand to those who had the energy and ambition to try to help themselves. In this and in many other ways he had drawn around him a large circle of friends who will mourn his untimely decease. His wife, a most estimable lady, died about five years ago since which time he has had no regular place of living, staying principally among his tenants. He became interested in his soul's salvation and joined the Christian church of Greenwood last fall since which time he had been a faithful member of that church from which his funeral was preached on Tuesday evening by Rev. Hall, of Butler University. His remains were interred in the Greenwood cemetery where they were followed by one of the largest crowds ever seen in that community.
The Democrat, Franklin, IN, June 29, 1888William Law, died at his home 3 miles south of Greenwood, Sunday morning, June 17th at 20 minutes before eleven o'clock, aged 68 years, 5 months and five days. He was sick for several weeks, and suffered a great deal during that time. There was, probably, no man in the surrounding counties with a more extensive acquaintance than 'Uncle Will Law', and all who knew him loved him for his many excellencies of character. A man of means, he was always ready and willing to help the needy if he believed them worthy, and he will be sadly missed by the poor in his neighborhood, nearly all of whom had learned to look up to him for advice and help in time of need. Broad and liberal in his views, he allowed the largest liberty of thought to others; generous and kind of heart, charitable and forgiving in disposition, he was loved and respected by all. He was noted for his kindness and fairness to those around him; for his sound common sense; for his equanimity of temper, and for his public spirit as a citizen and a member of the community in which he lived. He carried these traits of character with him in his business and lived them in his daily life. He was a man who could count every man his friend and none his enemy
Uncle Will Law was born in Oldham County, KY, January 11th, 1820. He came to this county in 1836, and then went back to Kentucky where he stayed till the spring of 1840, when he came back to this county, where he has since resided. He was married to Miss Matilda* Whittaker on the 3rd day of April, 1842. He leaves one son, three sisters and three brothers besides a host of other relatives and friends to mourn his sad death
He joined the Christian church at Greenwood over a year ago. The funeral was conducted by Rev. J. A. N. Hall, Tuesday evening, June 19th, at 3 o'clock, after which the remains were deposited in the beautiful cemetery at Greenwood
(*Note: His wife's name was Malinda Whitaker, not Matilda Whittaker)Submitted by Sandra Baither