AUTHOR: Dennis K. Betha
DATE: 6/3/2003 at 01:58:04

Surnames: BETHARDS,ESKRIDGE,SMITH,LOREY,DALE,PENNIWELL,LOREY

John D. Bethard

John D. Bethard was born Dec. 5, 1840, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and died Dec. 30, 1918, at his home in Leon, Iowa after a sickness covering about 11 weeks, aged 78 years and 25 days.

He had been in fairly good health until this fall. For a little over five weeks he had been confined to his bed and passed over at 6:30 in the morning. On Feb. 26, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, he married Lucinda V. Green. To them was born two children, Mrs. Angelne Webster, of Dover, Okla., who was present at the service, and Mrs. Edna O. Snyder, of Faxon, Okla. He also has 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, four brothers and one sister, Mathias Bethard, Columbus, Ohio; Aaron Bethard, Pickaway county, Ohio; Ezra Bethard, California; Harl Bethard, Ohio, and Rebecca Ann Snyder, Oklahoma. He also has many other relatives.

He came to Iowa in 1867, to Decatur County, and has resided here ever since. He lived on his farm near High Point many years. In 1908, he retired and moved to Leon and since lived in his present home. His wife died in 1910, on Jan. 19th. On July 19, 1913 he was married again to Miss Sarah Truitt, who survives him. He has the distinction of being one of the veterans of the civil war, one of the valiant men who upheld the Union. He was a member of the 8th Calvary. During this time he also served a considerable time in the suppression of the uprising of the Indians in Minnesota. In early life he joined the church. He also used to exhort and hold prayer meetings at Beaver school house. At the tabernacle meetings in Leon he joined the Methodist church. He had strong faith in God. There were not many days but that he read the Bible. He also talked to others concerning things eternal. And at the last said he was ready to go. Four years ago he selected his text for his funeral service from Prov. 30:15.

His body was carried to its last resting place by his fellow members of the G. A. R. The funeral services were held from the home Tuesday afternoon at 3:00 in charge of Rev. C. H. Hiller of the Methodist church.

The Leon Reporter January 2, 1919
Copied by Dennis K. Bethards June 3, 2003