John Stephens, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
John Stephens
DIED.
STEPHENS. -- At Plymouth, Ind., Dec. 16th, 1875, of apoplexy of the brain, John Stephens, aged 62 years and 24 days.
John Stephens was born at Crab Orchard, Ky., Nov. 22, 1813, and died of Apoplexy of the brain in Plymouth, Indiana, Thursday, Dec. 16, 1875, at about 12 o'clock; 20 minutes, A. M., after an illness of not more than twenty minutes. The Saturday previous he had come with his wife to visit his son, Rev. J. C. Stephens, of Plymouth, expecting to remain over two Sabbaths. On Wednesday evening he took tea with a Mr. Westervelt. He seemed to be in perfect health, conversing freely and pleasantly with the company. He afterwards attended the evening service of a protracted meeting in progress at the church, which he enjoyed very much. None in the house seemed nearer the throne than he. He walked away from the church with customary activity, passed a pleasant hour with his son's family, and retired for the night apparently in usual health. Soon after 12 o'clock he complained of a severe headache, rose from the bed, and with his wife's assistance walked across an adjoining room, remained a few minutes in great agony, was helped to return, lifted upon the bed, and immediately expired. "The cry came at midnight," but he was ready. His last utterance was a prayer. His life was "the life of the righteous." He was the first of his father's large family to accept Christ. All, or nearly all, of them followed him to the church. From first to last he was an earnest, active Christian. Uniting with the church when a young man, he was content with any, but nearly always filled one or more official position. His home was a home for many of the older Methodist preachers still living in the State, and for many whose work is done. His family was the nucleus of several Methodist Societies in the different localities where he lived. He was seldom absent from church, morning or evening, or from class or prayer meeting, or Sunday school. His house was never, for 40 years without a family altar. His children will best remember him as he appeared there.
The deceased was twice married. First to Sarah J. Shultz, in 1835, deceased in 1854. From this union were nine children. Five of them are still living. He was married again in 1857 to Mrs. C. J. Bozrath, who still survives to mourn her loss.
This has been the church home of the deceased since 1862, when he came to live in Valparaiso. The members of this church have known him since that time. But they have never known him to desert his post. His children call him blessed. He lived not for himself, but for them and others. He had a good practical education, self-acquired, and mainly by night while tending the mill where he earned a support for and partially supportal his father's family. His first desire for his children, after leading them to Christ, was to educate them.
He carried the burdens of men in early youth, and was often unfortunate in misplaced confidence within and without the church. He was met by misfortune, bereavement and calamity which seemed to belong to the lot of the upright, but through all he kept his soul sweet by the love of God and the power of grace. Truly he has fought a good fight, he has finished his course, he has kept the faith. Death came in a moment. He left not a dying but a living testimony.
Newspaper: Porter County Vidette
Date of Publication: December 30, 1875
Volume Number: 19
Issue Number: 52
Page: 3
Column(s): 6
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