Green, Jason d. 1899

GREEN, CUMMINGS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 4/29/2005 at 17:27:16

The Newton Record Thursday, June 15, 1899
Death of Jason Green
Green, Jason

Jason Green, one of the leading and most influential colored citizens of Jasper County, died at his home in this city yesterday afternoon, resulting from a second stroke of paralysis from which he was prostrated about a week ago. Mr. Green was born is slavery, served as a soldier in the Union Army and came to Newton at the close of the war, and has lived here ever since. His age is about 54 years. He leaves a wife, three daughters and one son, the latter now in Colorado. The funeral will be from the house at 11 o’clock Friday.

The Newton Record, Thursday, June 22, 1899 Page 1, Column 4.

Funeral services for the late Jason Green, whose death occurred on Wednesday of last week, were held at the home, on Friday afternoon, attended by a large number of friends. The sermon was preached by Rev. C. V. Cowan of the M. E. Church, of which denomination deceased had been a member for many years.

Deceased was born in Madison County, Ky., Dec. 24, 1844, his parents being slaves. The family moved to Missouri when he was quite young. When about 19 years of age, in company with his brother Taylor, and Lewis Mayes of this city, having determined to become free, made an attempt to run away, but were caught and returned to their master. About one month later a second attempt was made, which was successful, and the boys came to Keokuk and enlisted in the Union Army, serving until the close of the war, after which Jason and Lewis Mayes came to Newton and for the first winter worked with the families of Robt. Hill and David Matchett and attended the country school, which was very distasteful to some Kentuckians in the neighborhood, who objected to sending their children to school with “niggers.” But the prejudice soon died out, as Jason and Lewis proved apt pupils worthy of respect.

On the 8th day of March 1869, he was married to Miss Sylvia Cummings, at the homestead of their old slave master, John Green, at Hainsville, Mo., and brought his bride to Newton, where they have lived ever since, except a short time spent in Iowa City. Five children were born to them, four of whom survive ­ three daughters and one son.

Of sixteen brothers and sisters, Jason is the tenth to pass to the world beyond, six remaining to comfort the dear old mother, who has already passed her ninety-eighth birthday, and who arrived soon after the death of her son.

For many years Jason engaged in the barber business in Newton, giving it up recently on account of failing health. He has long been a member of the M. E. Church, conscientious in his duties, and liberal in all good works. To the widow and children, and also to the aged mother, the warmest sympathy goes out from many hearts.

Originally submitted on Tue Sep 24 20:01:14 2002