Peachey, Thomas J. (d.1939)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1939 Nov 1 p. 1

Birth date:

text of obituary:

Wood Cutting Accident Takes Life of Pennsylvania Resident

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR THOMAS J. PEACHEY HELD AT LOCUST GROVE MENN. CHURCH

Belleville, Pa., Oct 26. — The people of our village and community were shocked on Tuesday morning when word came that Thomas J. Peachey had been killed on the mountain while assisting in the cutting of the wood for the family's supply for winter fuel.

Early Tuesday morning, Mr. Peachey, accompanied by Robert Bennett and James Young, Jr. set out for Jacks mountain to cut wood. Mr. Peachey's tract of woodland is on the flat of the mountain, a short distance east of the Wills' road. Arriving here, Bennett and Young began to saw a large tree while Mr. Peachey with his axe began to notch a smaller tree nearby. He asked his helpers to come and saw the smaller tree first. While sawing, the tree split suddenly, part of it falling, and before Mr. Peachey could escape, he was struck on the head causing almost instant death. He called to the sawers to "look out". His helpers rushed for a physician and rendered all possible assistance, but there was little that could be done for death was instantaneous. When Bennett and Young got to him, the tree was lying across his legs.

In conversation with a friend the day previous, Mr. Peachey remarked that he wanted to get his wood cut and ready for winter before hunting season came in as he wanted to do some hunting. Truly "No man knoweth what a day may bring forth."

Thomas J. Peachey was one of Belleville's widely known citizens. As an auctioneer he came in touch with a large number of home people who learned to know him.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow, Friday, 9 A. M. at the home and 10 A. M. at the Locust Grove church of which he was a member with ministers, Elmer Yoder and John B. Zook officiating. Interment will be in the Locust Grove Mennonite cemetery. — Belleville Times.