John M. Felton, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
John M. Felton
Ex-County Clerk, John M. Felton died about 2 o'clock Wednesday morning at his home, corner East Mechanic and Michigan streets. Lately Mr. Felton had been complaining of heart trouble, but yesterday he was at his place of business feeling as well as usual.
Wednesday morning about 1 o'clock he aroused the young man who has been sleeping with him and asked him to get up and fan him as he did not feel well. He died in about one hour afterwards.
Mr. Felton was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., January 6, 1834. Before he became an invalid he was employed as civil engineer by the P., Ft. W. & C. Railroad. He first came to this city in 1857, but did not locate permanently until 1860. He was County Treasurer in 1875-78 and County Clerk in 1879-1883.
The death of John Felton deprived Porter county of a type of manhood that there are few like. For a gret many years he was entirely helpless from his body down, and was obliged to live in an invalid's chair. He was left with tow children, one but nine months old when his wife died. He never got discouraged. He became father, mother and brother to his children, and raised them to man and womanhood. He led a busy life, notwithstanding his infirmities. For years he kept a hardware store, which he disposed of on being elected to clerk of Porter county. In this office he served the people well. Then he was elected Treasurer. Never did Porter county have a better one. On his retirement from public office Mr. Felton built a livery barn, and stocked it with horses and carriages, for his son Rob. For years the people of this county have seen the old gentlemen in the barn, wheeling himself around, directing the management of it, and he was always on duty from early morning until late at night. Hundreds of people living outside of Valparaiso always took their horses to this barn, more to shake hands with "Honest" John Felton than enything else.
Of late Mr. Felton had troubles that seriously grieved him. Among them -- but not the greatest -- was the Schwartzskopf defaulcation. But now he is beyond grief and pain, and the patient sufferer has gone to his reward. He leaves behind a lovely daughter, Bessie, who was the light of his heart, and the gleam of sunshine of his life here on earth. He also leaves a son, Robert. Their loss is inestimable, and to them is given the sympathy of the people. May the grief-stricken daughter be given strength to bear her sorrow.
Newspaper: The Chesterton Tribune
Date of Publication: December 21, 1894
Volume Number: 11
Issue Number: 37
Page: 1
Column(s): 1
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook