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“Born in Wisconsin September 7, 1848. When 7, my parents moved to Illinois where I grew to manhood. At the age of 19, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. “On March 27, 1874, wed Miss Caroline Kimler at LeRoy, Illinois. We settled in West Central Kansas, where we resided some 33 years. On April 1, 1906, Mrs. Delaplain passed to the blessed reward she so richly merited. “I taught in common schools during 20 years. At the age of 16 was appointed leader of a young men’s Bible Class, served as Bible class leader or Sunday School Superintendent excepting short periods on frontiers where there were not enough residents to form a religious society. “Assisted in forming—in Kansas and Florida—six Methodist societies (Churches) in new territory. Served as leader of adult men’s Bible class 12 years at Shirli, Arkansas “In 1927, made my home with my first born—daughter Winnie Batchelder, Palacios, Texas. (Note: He first came to Palacios with the Burton Hurd party in 1910. From 1911, for four years, he homesteaded a Government Homestead in Florida.) “In my early teens I hesitated about becoming a Christian in fear of being called to the ministry. Not because of my dislike for the profession, but dislike of oft change of residence, wishing to settle down in permanent home. That wish has been realized???as follows—been in 14 states, resided in eight. In those eight in 14 different localities. “In the meantime the fact has been learned that the only worthwhile life, after all, is the life of Self Denial provided—that self denial is in accord with the teachings of Christ. Further that,
“Heaven is not reached at a single
bound
“The mistakes of life have been many --H. L. Delaplain In addition to the above, he served on a Kansas Legislative Committee as Secretary, and teacher examiner in his home county in Kansas. For more than 60 years, he had missed Sunday School six times. On his 100th birthday week, he knelt at the Church Altar of the Lords Supper, that afternoon greeted 150 friends in the church Social Hall, and two days later on his 100th birthday rode over Palacios at a thousand feet in an airplane accompanied by his pastor, and Marshall and Guy Claybourn, Jr. He said about it: “I have ridden in ox-carts, stagecoaches and ships that go to sea, but the best ride I ever rode was the one with ye.” He left a favorite prayer which he read often as his prayer, though composed by another man: “O Father, support me all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and my work is done. “Then, dear Father, in thy mercy grant me a safe lodging, a holy rest, and a peace at the last; through Jesus Christ, thy Son and my Lord.” Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Will Batchelder, of Palacios, Mrs. John Mayberry of Wyoming, Iowa; two sons, Lytle Delaplain of Harden City, Oklahoma, and Guy Delaplain of Seminole, Oklahoma. Also 21 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Pallbearers were J. H. Huffman, J. D. Munds, Eli C. Mayfield, J. A. Partain, Paul Gerhard, E. B. Hogg. In charge of the music were Mrs. R. T. Phillips, Mrs. D. M. Green, Miss Lynn Green, Miss Carolyn Bates, Mrs. J. M. Pennington, C. B. Viets, J. E. Robinson, R. H. Neeley. The Palacios Beacon, Thursday, November 18, 1948
Buried at Palacios Cemetery |
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The following are names of the first land buyers [in Citrus Grove (Satsuma)] and their children. The first deed was issued to O. H. Gableman, a bachelor, on January 14, 1909, followed by many others [including]:
Henry Delaplain,
Lyle Delaplain and H. L. Delaplain , who lived to
take an airplane ride on his 100th birthday
(Mrs. Batchelder's father, brother and grandfather)
Citrus Grove History, Historic Matagorda County,
Volume II
Mr. Delaplain, one of our old
timers, aged 82 years and 9 months, asked God's
blessing [at the twenty-second Citrus Grove
Thanksgiving community dinner].
The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, December 2, 1930 |
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Mrs. J. M. Mayberry of Wyoming, Iowa, returned to her home Friday after an extended stay here with her father, H. L. Delaplain and sister, Mrs. W. Betchelder and family. During her visit Mr. Delaplain was privileged to have all of his family together for the first time since the family circle was broken by the death of his companion 41 years ago. Two sons, Guy of Seminole, Okla., and Lisle of Harden City completed the circle by a visit in January. At a reunion dinner in the Batchelder home on January 12th, those present beside the immediate family were Mrs. Mayberry, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Delaplain and two eldest daughters, Eunice and Mrs. M. P. Bennet, G. A. Delaplain, Mr. and Mrs. C L. Batchelder, daughter, Jane, and son, Don. Mr. Delaplain, who was 98 years old on Sept. 7, attended Church with the family on the reunion Sunday, as has been his lifelong custom. As the family gathered around the piano in the evening to sing the old familiar hymns he loved, his tenor voice joined with amazing clarity. Though in declining health the past year, Mr. Delaplain is still remarkably alert both physically and mentally and enjoyed to the fullest the reunion of his family.
Palacios Beacon, February 27,
1947 |
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Friends from Collegeport, Blessing and Bay City joined with Palacios people Sunday afternoon for the birthday celebration, honoring H. L. Delaplain, who was 100 years old Tuesday. The affair was held at the Methodist church where more than one hundred guests called to offer their congratulations and best wishes. Mr. Delaplain, who was born in Shultsburg, Wis., has lived in seven states. He helped organize Bison and LaCrosse in Kansas. He picked the name for Bison and served on a committee of three to name LaCrosse. He helped organize the Methodist church in both places, becoming the first Sunday School superintendent in LaCrosse. In 60 years, he missed Sunday school only six times. He is a strong advocate of the modern translations of the Bible. The 1947 American translation and the George Lamsa translation are his favorites. He keeps up with international as well as national affairs through his radio and is keenly interested in the work of the United Nations. Mr. Delaplain married Miss Caroline Kimber in 1874. She passed away in 1907. To this union were born six children—four are still living. They are Mrs. Will Batchelder of Palacios, with whom he makes his home; Lyle J. Delaplain of Harden City, Okla., Guy of Seminole, Okla., and Mrs. John Mayberry of Wyoming, Iowa. All were present for the celebration, also some of his grandchildren, of which he was 21, and great grand children of which there are 28.
The Palacios Beacon, September
9, 1948 |
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Through the courtesy of Walker Flying Service in furnishing the first four-place Cruiser in the States of Texas, Mr. H. L. Delaplain Palacios’ Centenarian, took an airplane ride on Tuesday, his 100th birthday. Three pilots of the Methodist Church accompanied him on the trip: Marshall Claybourn, chief pilot; Guy Claybourn, co-pilot and photographer; and his pastor Rev. Lawrence M. Greenhaw, Supervising Pilot. Delaplain enjoyed thoroughly the ride over his farm home and over the City of Palacios. He could distinguish objects from the air very well such as the churches, cattle grazing in the pastures, etc. Guy Claybourn, Jr. snapped twelve very good pictures during the trip, several of them of Mr. Delaplain on the back seat, his eyes roving here and there over the surrounding landscape of water and land. On last Sunday afternoon the Methodist Church gave a reception, friends came by and shook hands with him in the church social hall. On Tuesday afternoon his family gave him a real Birthday Dinner at the farm home on Bay Shore drive.
The Palacios Beacon, September
9, 1948 |
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On September 5th, from 4 to 6 p. m., the Social Hall of the Methodist Church was the scene of a reception given by the church honoring H. L. Delaplain, who reached his 100th milestone on September 7, 1948. More than 120 friends called during the afternoon to offer congratulations and exchange greetings. Lovely white chrysanthemums, given by the Hunter Floral Shop and pink gladioli with purple asters given by Mr. Delaplain’s Sunday School Class brightened the hall. Mrs. Ray Phillips in her usual gracious manner served as receptionist. The Young People of the church had charge of the register and furnished inspiring organ music and singing in the background. Delicious refreshments of punch, cake and dainty sandwiches were served under the capable leadership of Mrs. Ruel Foley. In the center of the table was a beautiful birthday cake baked by Mrs. John Mayberry, daughter of Mr. Delaplain. Miss Jane Batchelder, the only great granddaughter present, presided at the punch bowl. Fans furnished by Maynard Green afforded pleasant relief from the heat. The occasion will always remain a treasured memory as one of the happiest events of his lifetime.
Out of town guests who registered
were: --Contributed
The Palacios Beacon, Thursday,
September 16, 1948 |
Funeral
services were held for H. L. Delaplain, more than 100
years of age, on Wednesday at 10 a. m. at the Methodist
Church, with his pastor Rev. Lawrence M. Greenhaw in
charge. His own “Life Synopsis” written by himself and
signed some time ago, is the best commentary we know in
brief form of the life of the man.