Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 215, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1912 — John m. wasson [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

John m. wasson

Bom may 16, Uj? Died StrttmDtr a, 1912

Captain. John M. Wasson, the second child of a family of seven born to James M. and Christens Wasson, was born in Darke county, near Greenville, Ohio, May 16, 1839. He died in Rensselaer, Ind., September 4, 1912, aged 73 years, 3 months and 18 days. He grew, up on the farm and taught school for one year and in the spring of 1861, young Wasson wept to Camp Chase and enlisted for service, but Jater returned to the farm and helped his father harvest. In the fall he returned to Camp Chase and on October 7th joined the 40th regiment Ohio volunteers, and he served until the close of the war, only returning home once and that to bring back the body of a neighbor’s boy who died during the three months’ service. His promotions are as follows: On entering the service he was made sergeant and detailed for clerical duty at brigade headquarters. Made second lieutenant November 29, 1862, and was assigned to Company A. He was assigned to Company H May 25, 1863, Placed in command of Company K a part of the afternoon of the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. Captured with Company H on Missionary Ridge, • September 22, 1863. Made first lieutenant March 19, 1864.1 Was in rebel prisons nineteen months. Exchanged April 7,1865. Mustered out by special order 171 at Annapolis, Md., April 13, 1865. Captain Wasson was taken prisoner on Missionary Ridge September 22, 1863, and September 28 committed to Libby prison. He crawled through a tunnel and made his escape February 9, 1864 and after three days was returned and placed in a dark, damp cell for eight days with rations of cornbread and no room to lie down. From Libby he was taken to many other places and from each he attempted to escape and at Columbus, S. C.,’ he succeeded, and after several days’ and nights’ journey, and near safety, he was again captured and taken to pris- # on and finally to Libby. These allnight walks and all day laying on the cold, damp ground in concealment with little or no food, combined with his prison exposures, the great Wonder is that he has lived to give us 47 years of successful business life, as well as 34 years of service to his church and his Master. A letter to his father from Libby will explain itself: \ Libby Prison, Richipand Va. Feb. 21, 1864. Dear Father v

I am enjoying very good health. Being limited, to six lines weekly, it is little satisfaction to write. As you have received my valise, you will see 'that the papers and letters are not misplaced, as they will be valuable»to me when released. There are several minature parts of which belong to the men of my company. Send me a box of eatables. YFrite often apd long letters. Yonr son, ’ _ LIEUT. JOHN WASSON, After his discharge he returned tq, his home in Ohio. In June, 1855, he made his first visit to jasper county, October 19, 1865, he was united in marriage to Martha Jane Wood, on the farm adjoining the one Mr. Wasson purchased for their home. After residing on the farm there 24 years, they moved to Rensselaer in 1889. Four daughters were born to this Union. All are living: Mrs. Albert E. Coen, of Berwyn, HI.; Arthtfr Nowels; - of Columbia City, Ind.; Mrs.

Jesse E. Wilson, of Hammond, Ind., and Mrs. Judson J. Hunt, of Rensselaer. In the year 1893 he became associated with the Commercial State Dank, and was made vice-president and held that office until after the bank was changed to the First National Bank. After the death of Mr. Addison Parkinson, Sri, Mr. Wasson was made president of the bank, which office he held until death. He was also a director in the Trust & Savings Bank, of Rensselaer. He was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal church under the preaching of Rev. Vanscoy, during a protracted meeting held in the Watson school house during the year 1878. He immediately took up the duties of Christian husband and father and next morning returned thanks at the table and was up to the time of his death a devout believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has SHeAmany positions of trust in the being trustee, treasurer and member of the building committee, and in all these was faithful. Last year he served his local church as delegate to the annual conference at Terre Haute. This was a delight to him. He has been commander of the G. A. R. Post No. 82 at Rensselaer for many years and was very much devoted to the' work. He also was a member of the Prairie Lodge No. 125 of Masons and y as held in the highest esteem. Mr. Wasson began to fail about one year ago and in November had a temporary breakdown, from which he rallied and was able to do much active work, and then in December he had a very severe attack, from which even his physician had little hope of his recovery But to the delight of his family and friends, he rallied enough to visit bis sisters in Ohio and Indiana, and all the members of his family and to do much work. In May he again gave way and again rallied to be about, attending church and transacting business until Monday of this week, when he arose, expecting to go to the farm. He gave up the trip after mugjh hesitancy. At midnight a marked change was noted and Wednesday morning at 11:30 he peacefully passed to his well earned rest, after as heroic a fight for his life as any man ever made. He leaves a wife, four daughters and four sons-in-law and eight grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Aaron Kerst, of Greenville, Ohio, and Mrs. Mary Ann Creviston, of Union City, Ind., and many distant relatives and a host of friends to mourn his departure; ♦ , Among the most largely attended funerals ever held in Rensselaer was that of the late Captain John M. Wasson, held on the lawn Friday afternoon at 4 o’clock. All the business and banking houses of the city were closed from 8 o’clock to 5:30 o’clock in the afternoon and a great crowd of people and civil war veterans turned ont to pay their last respects to their respected friend and comrade. The first of the ceremnofles was the flag service hy the Ladies of the G. A R. Rev.. Charles L. Harper, pastor of the M. EL church, had charge of the ceremonies, assisted by Rev. H. L. Kindig, of Montieello, former pastor of the M. EL church here. Rev. Harper read the obifttary and made a few

touching eulogistic remarks on Mr. Wasson’s life and relating to his association with the deceased. Rev. Kindig delivered the funeral sermon and spoke very eloquently and sincerely of Mr. Wasson’s devoted life as a father, companion, churchman and businessman. Mr. Wasson was held in greaT esteem with those who knew him and none ranked higher in citizenship. The Masons gave the Masonic burial service at the grave and G. A. R. took charge of the body at the grave. Rev. R. D. Utter, of Lafayette, who was to have assisted Revs. Harper and Kin~dtjg~at the funeral, pronounced the ‘benediction. Rev. Utter was delayed in his arrival here by a late train. Four sons-in-law and two grandsons acted as pallbearers. They were Albert E. Coen, Arthur Nowels, Judsoh J. Hunt, Jesse E. Wilson, Alban Coen and Russell Nowels. Those from out of town who attended were Mr. and Mrs. Albert E. Coen and son, Alban, of Berwyn, HI.; Mr. and Mrs. Jesse E. Wilson and children, of Hammond; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Nowels and son and daughter, Russell and Helen, of Columbia City; Mrs. Ellen and son, Howard, &f Greenville, Ohio; Mrs. Peter C. Wasson, of Winchester, Ind. j David Wood, of Terre Haute; Mrs. Filena Graves, of Winchester, William Wasson, of Union. City, Ind., and Win. McClure.

JOHN M. WASSON.