DEATH OF J. L.
ACHESON
Heart Disease Ended
His Life at 2 0'clock Yesterday afternoon
The death at 2
o'clock yesterday afternoon of John L. Acheson removes from the streets of
Newton a familiar figure and from the community a worthy and upright citizen.
During the eighteen years
of his residence in this city, the deceased had become widely known throughout
the county and by his strict probity of character had secured the confidence
and esteem of all who
came in contact with him.
John L. Acheson was
born in Muskingum county, Ohio, April 28, 1827. His early lite was spent in the
county in which he was born and he grew to manhood before leaving his parental home. As a
boy and a youth his life was marked by the energy and determination with which
he endeavored to secure an education. He was essentially what is known in this day and age as
a "self-made" man. Although
unable to enjoy the advantages of even a common school education, he was a
great reader and a zealous student and at night, after the labors of
the day had been laid aside, by the light of the pine-knots in the fireplace of
his father's house, he devoted hours to the perusal of worthy books and to the
study of their
contents. In this way, like many of the
rugged characters who nave become famous in the annals of our nation, he
acquired an education which, though rudimentary, was lasting.
At twenty years of
age he became a school teacher and tor sixteen terms he followed this avocation
devotedly and with success. Between terms he worked in his father's flour
mill. In 1852 he was married to Miss
McCollough who fell sick and died less than two years after their
marriage. Moving to Jackson county,
Ohio, in 1857, he was married in 1858 to Miss Katherine Hasty of that
locality. To this union seven children
were born, six boys and one girl, of whom three boys and the daughter died in
infancy. The other three are living. Mr.
Acheson moved to Jones county, Iowa, in 1868 where his second wife died in
1870. He was married October 31, 1872,
to Mary Jane Brush who survives him. In 1884 he moved to Newton and engaged in
business here as a real estate agent.
Since coming to
Newton, Mr. Acheson has been prominently identified with the educational and
moral interests of the city. He was a
member of the senate of Cooper Memorial college at Sterling
and was tor several years treasurer of that institution. He has served a number of terms on the school
board and was one of its most highly esteemed members. Mr. Acheson joined
the United Presbyterian Church when eighteen years of age and has been a ruling
elder of that denomination since 1868. The local Church has found In him. one of its most
ardent supporters and consecrated workers.
For its interests he has labored devotedly and unceasingly, year in and
year out. His earnest, sincere Christian
life was a blessing to the
Church and a power for good in the community.
One of the most marked traits of his character was his unaffected
interest in the welfare of his friends and acquaintances. Many
a heart has been cheered and encouraged by a sympathizing word or a kind smile
from him. During the two years he has been in poor health and especially in the last few
months while he has been a great sufferer from heart disease, his sublime faith
has shone resplendent and has proved a benediction to those that have been near
him. Never a murmur
or a word of complaint has passed his lips. On the contrary, he has comforted
and cheered those about him. He was indeed a good man and the community can ill afford to
lose him.
The deceased is
survived by his wife and three sons. All of the latter are graduates of
Monmouth College, of Monmouth, Ill., and of the Xenia Theological Seminary and
are in the ministry of the
United Presbyterian Church. Robert H.is
located at West Hoboken, New Jersey; James M. at Boyden, Iowa; and John L. at
Pine Bush, N.Y.
The funeral services
will be held tomorrow at half past ten o'clock in the United Presbyterian
Church. Burial will be in the Walton cemetery.
? HCGS. The Evening Kansan-Republican, Newton, Kansas. Thursday, February 6, 1902. Page 1.
