John May, 1826 - 1906

MAY, CONN, HERRING, SPRINGER, TATGE, KEENER, HART, TUCKER

Posted By: LaVerna K. Moser (email)
Date: 4/28/2009 at 23:13:23

MARENGO DEMOCRAT - 10 May 1906
OBITUARY - John May died in Marengo May 2, 1906, aged 79 years, 9 months, 18 days. His forefathers came to this country from England, in 1636, and settled in Connecticut. His grandfather after serving in the American army during the Revolutionary war, settled in Pennsylvania. Here Mr. May's father was born, grew to manhood and married. Here in Lancaster county John May was born July 14, 1826. When eight years of age he moved with his family to Wooster, Ohio, where he spent his youth and early manhood, moving when grown with his family to Oakwood, Paulding county, Ohio. In this place June 14, 1855, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ann Conn. In the summer of 1868 they came to Iowa settling 5 miles northeast of Marengo on a farm. In 1895 they moved to Marengo which has since been the family home. Ten children were born to them; three sons and seven daughters, nine, with the wife of nearly 51 years, remain to mourn his departure, one son, the eldest and his namesake, having preceded him in death in 1884. The surviving children are: Mary the eldest now Mrs. M. S. Herring, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Belle now Mrs. Ira E. Springer, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, Anis, now Mrs. Tatge, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, Ida now Mrs. George E. Keener, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sam T. May, of Hawarden, Iowa, James T. May, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, Miss Eva C. May, of Victor, Colorado, Nellie, now Mrs. D. H. Hart, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Miss Dawn, of Marengo. Mr. May was one of our most highly respected citizens, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Always just and square in his dealings, he is known as a man who held his word as good as his bond. He was a representative of that old type of hospitality and all were welcome in his home. He was a kind hearted man, never having been known to wronged anyone. This spirit of kindness shone constantly in his kindly face; nor was it limited to persons but extended to animals who found in him a friend who would never injure them. He was a loyal and enthusiastic Mason, holding the brotherhood in great affection. Throughout his life he was a student of the Bible. He said that the Bible was his book. During the last years of his life it was almost his constant companion, until a few weeks ago when his eyes failed him. A good husband and father, gentle, just and kind in his disposition, an esteemed citizen, respected as a man, his memory among those who knew him, will be precious. The funeral services were held at the Methodist church conducted by the pastor, Rev. Fred B. Tucker, Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, and the burial services were under the direction of the Masonic fraternity. The interment was in the Conn cemetery, 5 miles north-east of Marengo.