Zearley, John H. 1828-1914
ZEARLEY, HIXON, HANSEL, JENNINGS, BARR, WATHEN
Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:23
Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 10 Sept. 1914. Elkport and Vicinity column.
On Thursday night of last week another one of the pioneer settlers passed to his reward and this time it was our dear old friend and neighbor John H. Zearley. The deceased had been quite feeble for the past year and recently received a paralytic stroke, which caused his death. Mr. Zearley was one of the best known men in Clayton County, having been county surveyor for a number of years, and was a man whose dealings with his fellow men were always on the square. At the time of his death he had passed his 86th birthday. The funeral was held Sunday from the home of his son, Jack Zearley, in Elk township, and was largely attended and the remains were laid to rest in the Bethel cemetery. He leaves to mourn a number of children and grandchildren, all of whom have the sympathy of this community.
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Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 10 Sept. 1914.
John H. Zearley was born January 27th, 1828, at Smithfield, Fayette County, Pa., the son of John Zearley and Ann Zearley (nee Hixon) the former a native of the Keystone state, while the latter was born in Virginia.
The deceased received his education at Morgantown, Pa., and was a studious lad, who was eager to acquire all the knowledge he could and it was this earnest attention to his studies which in after years proved to make him an honest, noble man, who was esteemed by all who knew him.
In 1851 he emigrated to Clayton County as a schoolmaster and a few years latter moved onto his farm in Mallory township, which he owned up to the time of his death.
On Nov. 5th, 1854, he was united in marriage to Mary Hansel and a happy union this proved to be. To them were born nine children, six of whom are still living. They are: Mrs. Ida A. Jennings and Mrs. Adelia Barr, of Des Moines, Iowa; John Jacob, of Elkport; William H., of Terry, S.D.; Lewis A., of Garber; and Mrs. Hattie Wathen, of Greeley, Iowa.
He has served as county surveyor for a number of years and has held many township offices, having always been an able and efficient officer.
On January 9th, 1897, his faithful wife was called to the home beyond and his home thereafter was with his children. It was at the home of his son, John Jacob, that his eyes closed forever on this earth and the soul passed to its maker.
Few there were who knew the Holy Scripture as did this father and it was his earnest endeavor to live an upright life for his own sake as well as for an example for his children.
When but a little boy his mother died and he always remembered the two songs which were sung for her funeral, and accordingly he chose these also for his beloved wife's funeral and now his children chose these same songs for his own funeral.
All his children came to be near his bedside while his life slowly ebbed away. He leaves six children, eighteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren to mourn the loss of a faithful father and a doting grandparent; also one sister survives him, who is 96 years of age and lives at Smithfield, Pa., and up until a few weeks before his demise they corresponded regularly, she writing her own letters; also a half-sister, Nancy Zearley, and a half-brother, Samuel Judson Zearley, both of Scottdale, Pa.
On Sept. 2nd, at 10:00 p.m., the soul passed from this mortal body to the God who gave it and burial took place on Sunday, Sept 6th, at 10:00 a.m., from his late home to the Bethel church and the remains were laid in their last resting place at that cemetery.
Rev. J. B. Wildermuth, of Harlan, Iowa, conducted the services and spoke beautifully and consolingly on the chosen text.
The choir, with Mrs. Anna Haught at the organ, rendered the selections very sweetly.
May he rest in peace.
The pallbearers were four grandsons and two nephews, John and Amos Jennings, of Garber; Roy Zearley, of Elkport, Ray Zearley, of Garber, and Japan and G. W. Hansel, of Garber.
Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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