Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 04:56:22 :
Marin Journal
Thursday, July 10, 1913
Page 3
Sudden Death of Aged Pioneer
Robert J. Trumbull, Highly Esteemed Citizen, Passed Away Saturday
Robert John Trumbull entered into eternal rest on Saturday morning, July 5, 1913, at his home in San Rafael, aged 76 years.
He had been in delicate health for some time, and in order to conserve his strength, his devoted daughter persuaded him to have his breakfast in bed. When she brought him the tray on Saturday morning, he ate with a relish, praised the food, and said that he had had a fine night’s rest. Miss Trumbull went out on the from porch to get the morning paper for her father, and hearing an unusual sound in his cough, hastened back to his bedside, to find him quietly breathing his last.
All of the sadness in his passing is for those who are left behind; his kindly face, his wise counsel, his cordial friendship, will be greatly missed not only in the family and in the church, but by a large proportion of the citizenship of San Rafael, but for him to die was gain.
Mr. Trumbull has lived in San Rafael for forty-one years, and in all this time, no one has attributed to him an unkind or unjust deed. In domestic, social, business and religious relations, he was ever fair and true, good and sagacious. His religion was a part of his daily life, and he practiced the godly precepts that he advocated.
His keen sense of humor and ready wit was a pleasure to his friends, and his clear intellect and decisive views rendered him a most interesting speaker.
Some years ago at the general convention of the Presbyterian Church, in session in Philadelphia, he made what was reputed to be the ablest address delivered before that intellectual body.
He often spoke in the weekly prayer meeting of the local church, and his simplest utterances held the attention and interest of the members, not only because of the sentiment expressed, but because everyone realized that the speaker’s words were endorsed by his whole life.
Probably no layman who has lived in San Rafael has done more to bring religion into good repute, he lived as he talked and talked as he lived.
Mr. Trumbull was a capable business man, and gradually accumulated a substantial estate. He lived in San Francisco for nine years before coming to San Rafael and in 1868 bought out Galloway & Co., and under the firm style of Trumbull Seed Co. conducted on Market street what is said to be the oldest seed and plant business on the Pacific coast. He had taken no active part in the business since the fire.
He was the chief founder of the First Presbyterian church in San Rafael, organizing a Sunday school and conducting lay services for years before a house of worship was secured.
The funeral services were conducted by Dr. Crosby, Dr. Landon, and Rev. J. S. McDonald of Corte Madera, Rev. Lynn T. White being absent from the parish. Mr. McDonald, a former pastor and life long friend of Mr. Trumbull, preached a touching sermon from the appropriate text.
The beautiful flowers sent by sympathizing friends filled a carriage, and when the procession moved toward Mount Tamalpais cemetery the congregation remaining felt a sense of personal bereavement.
Mr. Trumbull is survived by three children, Robert H. of Novato, Mrs. Jean T. Smith in India, and Miss Lizzie Trumbull of San Rafael.
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