David was the oldest child and only son of Alfred and Louisa Stuart Church. After his father's death in the Civil War and his mother's death a few years later, David went to live with William and Mary Ann Harris and their children in Big Coon, Alabama. By 1880 David was practicing law in Scottsboro, Alabama. He moved to Pocahontas, Arkansas, the next year. In letters to his sisters, Amanda Church Stoner and Matilda Church Collier, he sounded quite happy and prosperous.
In April 1883, David's brother-in-law, John C. Stoner, received the following news in a letter from the sheriff of Randolph County, Arkansas:
Pocahontas, Ark. April 3rd, 1883
Mr. J.C. Stoner
Dear Sir:
I though a stranger have melancholy news to impart to you. David R. Church brother of your wife died yesterday morning some 11 miles from town. He had gone out in the country to attend a law suit while there took a severe chill was taken in by one of our worthy citizens. He had all of the medical and other attention that was necessary for one to have and was nursed and cared for as well perhaps as if he had been under the supervision of you and his sister. His remains will be brought to the masonic grave yard of this town this evening for interment. And will further say that during of Mr. Churches short stay in our county and state that he accumulated a host of varied friends both old and young all of whom are mourning his death. No young man will ever be missed more than he will be in our country. He also held out to his religion and died a pious good christian. Therefore we hope ours and your lost has eternal gain. He leaves plenty of means to pay all expenses. I have his chattles and moneys in my care as we was officing and rooming together and have been for some months.
Jas. A. Wheeler (his uncle) requested me to see to it as he is not able to attend to it as he is also sick. I desire to hear from you soon. Be assured that while he has friends in Ala. to mourn his lost that also there are lasting and good who will mourn the same here in Arkansas. I must close at once.
Your friend
A.J. Witt
In April 1883, David's brother-in-law, John C. Stoner, received the following news in a letter from the sheriff of Randolph County, Arkansas:
Pocahontas, Ark. April 3rd, 1883
Mr. J.C. Stoner
Dear Sir:
I though a stranger have melancholy news to impart to you. David R. Church brother of your wife died yesterday morning some 11 miles from town. He had gone out in the country to attend a law suit while there took a severe chill was taken in by one of our worthy citizens. He had all of the medical and other attention that was necessary for one to have and was nursed and cared for as well perhaps as if he had been under the supervision of you and his sister. His remains will be brought to the masonic grave yard of this town this evening for interment. And will further say that during of Mr. Churches short stay in our county and state that he accumulated a host of varied friends both old and young all of whom are mourning his death. No young man will ever be missed more than he will be in our country. He also held out to his religion and died a pious good christian. Therefore we hope ours and your lost has eternal gain. He leaves plenty of means to pay all expenses. I have his chattles and moneys in my care as we was officing and rooming together and have been for some months.
Jas. A. Wheeler (his uncle) requested me to see to it as he is not able to attend to it as he is also sick. I desire to hear from you soon. Be assured that while he has friends in Ala. to mourn his lost that also there are lasting and good who will mourn the same here in Arkansas. I must close at once.
Your friend
A.J. Witt
David was the oldest child and only son of Alfred and Louisa Stuart Church. After his father's death in the Civil War and his mother's death a few years later, David went to live with William and Mary Ann Harris and their children in Big Coon, Alabama. By 1880 David was practicing law in Scottsboro, Alabama. He moved to Pocahontas, Arkansas, the next year. In letters to his sisters, Amanda Church Stoner and Matilda Church Collier, he sounded quite happy and prosperous.
In April 1883, David's brother-in-law, John C. Stoner, received the following news in a letter from the sheriff of Randolph County, Arkansas:
Pocahontas, Ark. April 3rd, 1883
Mr. J.C. Stoner
Dear Sir:
I though a stranger have melancholy news to impart to you. David R. Church brother of your wife died yesterday morning some 11 miles from town. He had gone out in the country to attend a law suit while there took a severe chill was taken in by one of our worthy citizens. He had all of the medical and other attention that was necessary for one to have and was nursed and cared for as well perhaps as if he had been under the supervision of you and his sister. His remains will be brought to the masonic grave yard of this town this evening for interment. And will further say that during of Mr. Churches short stay in our county and state that he accumulated a host of varied friends both old and young all of whom are mourning his death. No young man will ever be missed more than he will be in our country. He also held out to his religion and died a pious good christian. Therefore we hope ours and your lost has eternal gain. He leaves plenty of means to pay all expenses. I have his chattles and moneys in my care as we was officing and rooming together and have been for some months.
Jas. A. Wheeler (his uncle) requested me to see to it as he is not able to attend to it as he is also sick. I desire to hear from you soon. Be assured that while he has friends in Ala. to mourn his lost that also there are lasting and good who will mourn the same here in Arkansas. I must close at once.
Your friend
A.J. Witt
In April 1883, David's brother-in-law, John C. Stoner, received the following news in a letter from the sheriff of Randolph County, Arkansas:
Pocahontas, Ark. April 3rd, 1883
Mr. J.C. Stoner
Dear Sir:
I though a stranger have melancholy news to impart to you. David R. Church brother of your wife died yesterday morning some 11 miles from town. He had gone out in the country to attend a law suit while there took a severe chill was taken in by one of our worthy citizens. He had all of the medical and other attention that was necessary for one to have and was nursed and cared for as well perhaps as if he had been under the supervision of you and his sister. His remains will be brought to the masonic grave yard of this town this evening for interment. And will further say that during of Mr. Churches short stay in our county and state that he accumulated a host of varied friends both old and young all of whom are mourning his death. No young man will ever be missed more than he will be in our country. He also held out to his religion and died a pious good christian. Therefore we hope ours and your lost has eternal gain. He leaves plenty of means to pay all expenses. I have his chattles and moneys in my care as we was officing and rooming together and have been for some months.
Jas. A. Wheeler (his uncle) requested me to see to it as he is not able to attend to it as he is also sick. I desire to hear from you soon. Be assured that while he has friends in Ala. to mourn his lost that also there are lasting and good who will mourn the same here in Arkansas. I must close at once.
Your friend
A.J. Witt
