CALHOUN, Jonathan Blair: 1876-1900

CALHOUN, BONNETT

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 7/28/2013 at 18:43:11

Death of Jonathan Blair Calhoun

One of the sadest deaths occurring in this vicinity for a long time was the death of this young man at his home near Winchester on Friday evening of last week. He had been enjoying excellent health, and had made no complaint during the day. In the evening he ate a hearty supper as usual, and after talking and reading until about 8:30, went up stairs to bed, bidding his father and sister Lillie good night, his mother being absent at her daughter's, Mrs. Jessie Bonnett's, whose child was quite sick. In a short time Mr. Calhoun, hearing a noise up stairs, went to his room and found him very sick. Going for a light and some water Mr. Calhoun and Lillie, on thier return, found him sitting up in bed and trembling violently and before either neighbors or physician could be summoned he passed away with but few words spoken to his father and sister.

"Jot" as he was familiarly called, was 23 years, 3 months and 5 days old at the time of his death, and was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. D. K. Calhoun. We have known him from his infancy, and his constant care seemed to be to avoid giving his father and mother and sisters any worry or anxiety. He was a home boy, and it seemed his greatest joy to relieve his father and mother of the anxieties and cares which naturally come to those who have business interests to serve, and who feel the want of some one to rely upon in the afternoon of life. As his sorrowing mother expressed it, they had built up so much on "Jot", that it seems so hard to give him up just in the prime of young manhood and when he would have been such a source of joy and comfort in their declining years.

Not only is it a loss to his immediate relatives, but to the community, to the state, and to the nation. It is such young men of high character and noble purposes, that must build up our churches, fill the reponsible stations in life, and form a citizenship that has given our country such a noble place among the nations earth. Cheerful and always considerate for the welfare and enjoyment of others, he was a general favorite among the young people, who considered any of their gatherings incomplete without his presence. In fact all his intercourse with both young and old, from his childhood to his manhood, was such that he was only spoken of as one worthy of emulation by all. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Brown of the Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. Wilkins, who paid a glowing tribute to his life and character. The large funeral and the floral offering presented by the Epworth League and many private homes, fully attest the deep feeling of regret at his death, and the genuine sympathy which is extended to his relatives and friends, whose deep grief can only be understood by those who have passed through the same trying ordeal. Yet, sad as it is, the father and mother can look back over that young life that they guarded and cared for with such kindly interest, and find much consolation, as they reflect on his many good qualities, his high character and his filial devotion to them. While he has passed from their home, he has only gone on before, and will greet the loved ones as they pass over the river into that beautiful Land of the Leal. -- A Friend

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 168, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA