Waterloo Advocate - July 30, 1874

DIED
In Waterloo on the 25 ult., William L.D., son of William and 
Caroline DeMint, aged 1 year, 2 months and 20 days.
 
To Mr. and Mrs. Demint from a friend.
 
Oh, he was lovely! every day
    New beauties would appear,
Till earthliness had ebb'd away,
    And left a seraph there.
Was it not best at early dawn,
    When heart from stain was free
To take away thy precious son,
    A holy one to be.
 
He was so lovely, and so fair,
    But more angelic now;
His golden curls of silken hair
    Waved round his childish brow.
No more at eve thou'lt pause to hear
    His little footsteps light
Or see him there beside thy chair
    To kiss and lisp good night.
 
Drink of the cup, but look above
    From God's hand it was given;
He took thy Willie from they love
    To his bright home in heaven.
Fond mother weep, 'twill ease thy heart
    Thou canst not weep for him;
He dwells in heaven, from earth apart
    Among the cherubim.
                                            R.M.D.
 
Note by transcriber: (I usually find these flowery old poems a bit amusing, 
but this one brought tears.  The name "Willie" is on his stone in SS Peter & 
Paul Catholic cemetery, Waterloo, IL).