John Ustus Schoonover (1844-1909)

SCHOONOVER, HEACOCK, PICKERING, BURGESS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/29/2017 at 23:36:12

From Nevada Representative April 9, 1909

OBITUARY

JOHN U. SCHOONOVER

A copy of the Haven, Kansas, Journal has come to our desk announcing the death at that place of March 15 of John U. Schoonover, who was one of the several Schoonover brothers residing at Nevada in the times before, during and immediately after the civil war. There are not so many of their compeers still residents in Nevada as there might be; but the Schoonovers all had fine standing in the pioneer community. John is understood to be the last of his generation to go, although many of the younger generation still reside in this and other states. The Haven Journal pays tribute to Mr. Schoonover as follows:

John U. Schoonover, son of Jacob and Lucy Schoonover, was born in Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio, on March 15th, 1844. Died March 21st, 1909 at his residence in the City of Haven, Kansas, aged sixty-five years and six days.

He went with his parental family to Nevada, Iowa in 1857. He enlisted in Company E, 3rd Iowa Volunteer Infantry June 9th, 1861. Was wounded and taken prisoner at Jackson, Mississippi, July 12th, 1863; was mustered out of the service July 9th, 1864. He was married at Nevada, Iowa to Elma J. Heacock on December 15th, 1868. Unto them were born nine children, seven of whom together with the widow survive. He is also survived by one brother, Charles Schoonover, residing in Pittsburg, Pa., and two sisters, Mrs. Lucy Pickering residing in Boone, Iowa, and Mrs. Hattie Burgess, residing in Omaha, Neb. He moved to Kansas, accompanied by his wife and two small children in March 1872 and remained here since that time, moving into the city last year.

He was for many years a member of the G. A. R. and was a past commander of the organization. He was also an old member of the I. O. O. F. and was a past Noble Grand of the Lodge.

John U. Schoonover's life was eminently useful and active. He was Justice of the Peace in Haven for nearly thirty years. He was elected Director of the State Bank of Haven on January 6th, 1904 and continued to hold that position until his death.

He was above all a kind and indulgent husband and father, and one of the best liked men in the community, which he so earnestly helped to build up; and although he was unusually out spoken and positive in his opinions, he invariably tinged them with that Christian charity, which left no animosity or ill feeling behind. We, many of us, feel very keenly the loss of this good man and loyal friend, but are comforted by the fact that he will be rewarded for his many acts of kindness and charity. We know for a fact that God surely remembers such men as John U. Schoonover.