LILLARD, John Wesley

LILLARD

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/27/2015 at 10:54:20

Obituary ~ John Wesley Lillard
April 04, 1821 ~ March 02, 1883

Decatur County Journal
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, March 08, 1883

County Correspondence ~ Garden Grove Racket Column
JNO. W. LILLARD.

In the death of JNO. W. LILLARD Decatur county looses one of its best men and most substantial citizens. Accustomed to working his way by stern labor from boyhood, his opinions were expressed in a blunt and outspoken manner. He was a warm and generous friend – staunch, thoughtful, hospitable and genial; an uncompromising opponent, ready to maintain his position on political and all other questions of interest, and to back up his sentiments with time, money and self sacrifice. In short, he was a radical and thorough man, with decided convictions on every matter of public interest, and a valuable citizen in the farming and business community. In his large family his loss will be irreparable.

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Lively Little Locals Column

A most lamentable and fatal accident occurred last Friday afternoon on the farm of J. W. LILLARD, where by Mr. LILLARD lost his life. It seems one of Mr. LILLARD’s steers fell into a well, and he with the assistance of some of the neighbors has succeeded in getting it out with a pulley and tackle, operated by horse power, but the horses being fractious did not stop soon enough, and the animal coming in contact with the fixtures the whole thing came down, one of the braces striking Mr. LILLARD was on the side of the neck, instantly breaking it. He was carried to the house, medical aid was summoned, but before its arrival he was beyond all help.

Mr. LILLARD was one of our best and most respected citizens, and though virtually poor when he came here, has by his ambitions and integrity accumulated a large estate. He was buried here on Sunday and though the roads were almost impassable the neighbors showed their appreciation of him by their last tribute of respect.

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Decatur County Journal
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, March 15, 1883

Tick Ridge

The sudden death, by accident of JOHN W. LILLARD, was a very great shock to his aged mother. His devotion to his aged parents has often been mentioned in these columns. He said “I have always eaten my Christmas dinner with my father and mother when I was where I could reach them.”

[Interment was made at Garden Grove Cemetery.]

Transcription by Sara Rose Joan LeFleur