John M. Williams, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
John M. Williams
GONE TO HIS ETERNAL REST.
John Williams Breathes His Last On Thursday, December 6th, After an Illness of Twenty Months.
Died: -- on Thursday, Dec. 6th, at 7:30 p. m., John M. Williams, at his residence in Chesterton, after an illness of one year and eight months. His disease was consumption. The funeral services were held in the M. E. church on Sunday, Dec. 9th, beginning at one o'clock and were conducted by Rev. Hall. The funeral was conducted by Valparaiso Commandery Knights Templars, and was attended by Calumet lodge F. and A. M., of Chesterton; the Masonic lodge of Westville; A. B. Wade Post, of Chesterton; and Chaplain Brown of Valparaiso.
The church was crowded to the utmost, and then but a small portion of those who came to pay their last respected to the departed dead could gain admittance. After the closing ceremonies at the church the funeral procession wended its way to the cemetery, the societies marching on foot, and making the largest funeral procession ever seen before in our town. At the grave the Knights Templars conducted the ceremonies, which were peculiarly beautiful and impressive, and fitting were the tributes paid to the memory of the deceased.
John M. Wilson, son of William and Lucretia Wilson, was born in Wayne County, Ind., on Deccember 13, 1838; his parents were natives of Tennessee and North Carolina, and came to Porter County in 1845, where his father has since lived, his mother being dead. On New Year's day, 1866, he was married to Mary Morris, of Randolph county. She died March 27, 1873, leaving two children -- Charles and Nona. On April 3, 1878, he was married to Mary Herald, of Seneca county, Ohio, who still survives him.
Mr. Williams was a private in the war of the rebellion, in Company K, Seventy-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, assigned to the Army of the Cumberland; He was at the battle of Stone River, and on a raid through Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama, under Col. Straight. During this raid the brigade was captured and sent to Richmond, where they were exchanged. At Indianapolis Mr. Williams again entered the army and served until the war was closed. After the war, Mr. Williams returned to Porter county and engaged in farming in Jackson township. Here he remained until 1874, when he moved to Washington, D. C., living there until 1878, and again returned to his farm. He lived the life of a farmer until 1884, when he moved to Chesterton and engaged in the livery business. One year and eight months ago he took cold, which finally developed lung trouble, and when too late he began to doctor for it. Last June, he thought a change in climate would benefit him, and he went to Washington County, Kansas, and from there intending to go on to Colorado by wagon. But on the way he grew worse, and was obliged to return home, with the knowledge that he must fall victim to the dread disease, Consumption.
During his last illness Mr. Williams showed the same brave spirit that has ever characterized his life. Through intense suffering he passed, and scarcely a murmur ever passed his lips. Through it all, his devoted wife was at his side, and her loving care never lessened until Death had relieved her of her charge. Mr. Williams had a large circle of relatives, and a great portion of the lived in Porter County. He was a Knight Templar and a member of the G. A. R. In these societies, he stood high, and in our community no man ever lived who was more highly respected than he was. He had no enemies, and all he dealt with became his friends. In worldly goods he was not rich, but in friends he was a millionaire. He leaves his wife and children in comfortable circumstances, but with that he leaves a spotless name, and a character that they may always refer to with pride. The sorrowing family have the heartfelt sympathy of many, many friends, and though the grief of wife, and son, and daughter be the greater grief of all, yet they know that the loved father and husband is now beyond the reach of pain and suffering, and is with Him, the Father, who in His own good time will reunite them.
Newspaper: The Tribune
Date of Publication: December 13, 1888
Volume Number: 5
Issue Number: 35
Page: 1
Column(s): 8
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