Source: North Manchester Journal, May 31, 1911

S.S. ULREY CALLED TO HIS REWARD

Dies After Illness of Many Months.

After a long illness and many months of suffering, Stephen S. Ulrey, one of the best known residents of this community, passed away at his home four miles south of this city at 11:30 o’clock Wednesday of last week. Owing to his long sickness his death was expected as his condition had been very critical for several days before. He had been in failing health for over a year but last fall the disease known as diabetes gangrene set in and while everything was done that could be the ravages of the disease could not be stayed.

Funeral was held from the Church of the Brethren on Walnut street, Friday afternoon and was attended by one of the largest congregations that has ever been in that church on an occasion of that kind. The sermon was preached by Rev. P.B. Fitzwater who was assisted in the service by Rev. Otho Winger and Rev. John Wright. The pall bearers were all ministers of the Church of the Brethren, and were John H. Wright, A.L. Wright, George Swihart, J.D. Rife, L.D. Ikenberry and J.C. Murray. Interment was made in the cemetery at the church two miles west of town.

Stephen S. Ulrey was one of the most highly respected, best known and substantial residents of this locality in which he had lived all his life of more than the allotted three score and ten years. He was born six miles north of this city, August 30, 1838, being the oldest child of John A. and Sarah S. Ulrey, who a short time before had moved to that locality from Montgomery county, Ohio, and was one of the first white children born in Kosciusko county. Died May 24, 1911 at the age of 72 years, 8 months and 24 days. He was one of a family of six brothers and four sisters, of whom four brothers and two sisters survive him.

His early life was filled with the usual experience of the pioneer days, having attended the country schools of the backwoods period and later went to a graded school at Warsaw where he fitted himself for teaching. As a young man he followed the calling of a country school teacher for several years and was known as a leader in that profession at the time. He was also a singing school teacher of some note and, as in later years, was an active man in all the affairs in the community. April 18, 1867 he was married to Mary Jane Tridle, who survives him. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom passed away in infancy and youth. Those surviving are five sons Calvin, Alvin, Dayton, Clayton and Sharon Ulrey, and two daughters, Mrs. Henry Hoover and Miss Verna Ulrey. In 1876 Mr. Ulrey settled on the farm where he died four miles south of this city. It was then all woods but by hard and industrious work he cleared one of the finest and most valuable farms in Chester township.

Early in life Mr. Ulrey united with the Church of the Brethren and from his natural qualifications and ability soon rose to be a leader in that denomination, being at the time he died one of the most prominent and leading men in the church in Indiana. He was elected to the ministry in 1879 and advanced to the eldership in 1891, having served the Ogan’s Creek church in the ministry for over a third of a century. He was always active and earnest in the work of the church and was one of the foremost leaders in the middle district of Indiana, whose advice and counsels were always sought and universally followed. During his life he served the church in many official capacities and was very influential in shaping the policies of the church in this part of the brotherhood. As a man he also took much interest in public affairs generally and was an able and safe counselor. Mr. Ulrey was a genial man personally upright, honest and reliable in all his acts and dealings and as such had the confidence and respect of the entire community. His death has brought sorrow to many homes besides his own.