Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 212, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1912 — PAYS DEATH’S TOLL AFTER MANY YEARS. [ARTICLE]

PAYS DEATH’S TOLL AFTER MANY YEARS.

Capt John M. Wasson, Civil War Veteran, Respected Citizen and Banker, Passes Away. Captain John M. Wasson, a veteran of the Civil War and one of Rensselaer’s most respected citizens, died this Wednesday-mornings at 11 AQf o’clock at his home on the corner of West South street and College avenue, after an illness extending over a period of ten or twelve months. The immediate cause of his death was congestion of the lungs with blood, a sort of pneumonia, caused by a weakened condition of the heart. Mr. Wasson was very weak the latter part of last week but was able to take an automobile ride Sunday evening with 'his son-in-law, Judson J. Hunt, which he enjoyed thoroughly. Up until' Monday noon he was able to be up and about the yard at his home Since that time he was confined to his bed until death came. He had a very bad spell yesterday but rallied. He became unconscious about 9:30 o’clock this morning, from which condition he never recovered. Mr. Wasson has been on the decline in health for the past year. He was first taken severely ill last November and again about Christmas, suffering from heart trouble. Since that time he has been very weak. Mr. Wasson was 73 years of age. He was born May 16, 1839, at Union City, Darke county, Ohio. At the first call for volunteers at the beginning of the Civil War, went Ip Camp Chase and joined the 40th regiment, Ohio volunteers, and served the Union army throughout the entire, war until he was mustered out at Washington In .1865. Mr. Wasson was given the commission of captain toward the close of the war and fought in allVthe battles in and around Richmond before the war ended. For a time Mr. Wasson was a captive of the Confederate forces in Libby prison, and made the famous escape from the prison through the tunnel. The escaped prisoners were forced to hide by day and travel at night. They were assisted greatly by negroes. He was one of the last to be recaptured and taken to -prison again. He had been out for several nights and days, and with only one more night to travel, he could have reached the Union lines. After being mustered out of the army at Washington in 1865, he came to Jasper county and in that same year, on October 19, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Wood, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Wood. They moved on a farm southeast of this city, and engaged in that business successfully until 1889, when he moved to Rensselaer. In 1893 he became associated with the Commercial Slate Bank, of which Addison Parkison, Sr., was the president at that time. Mr. Wasson was made vicepresident of the bank and retained that office until after the bank was changed to Che First National Bank, several years ago. 'On the death of Mr. Parkison, several years r ago, Mr. Wasson was made president of that institution, which office he held until death came. He was also a director in the Trust & Savings Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Wasson would have been married 47 years next October. Mr. Wasson’s death was the first to occur in that family in that time. His children and grandchildren all survive. Mr. Wasson is survived by a wife; four daughters, Mrs. Albert E. Coen, of Berwyn, Ill;- Mrs. Arthur Nowels, of Columbus City, Ind.; Mrs. Jesse E. Wilson, of Hammond, and Mrs. Judson J. Hunt, of this city; two sisters, Mrs. Aaron Kerst, of Greenville, Ohio, and Mrs. Mary Anne Creviston, of Union City, Ohio, and a great host of friends and other more distant relatives. The funeral will be held Friday evening at 4 o’clock on the lawn at the Wasson residence. Rev. C. L. Harper, pastor of Che M. E. church, will have charge of the services, assisted by Rev. H. L. Kindig, of Monticello, and R. D. Utter, of Lafayette, both being former pastors ‘ here. Interment will be piade in Weston cemetery. _ t Mr. and Mrs. Jesse E. Wilson and family came down from Hammond and A. E. Coen came from Berwyn, 111., this afternoon. Mrs. Coen has been here for several days. Mrs. Aaron Kerst, of Greenville, Ohio, is very ill -v? - ■ • and will not be able to come. Other relatives wiir arrive later.