Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 April 1901 — Obituary. [ARTICLE]

Obituary.

John Thomas Drake was born in Cook county, 111., seventeen years ago last January, and died at the home of his mother, south of town, Tuesday at 2:30 p. m. of pneumonia. His sickness was of very short duration, but his suffering was intense. Funeral services were held at St. Augustine’s Catholic church Wednesday. The High School Juniors, a class of twenty-two attended services in a body and accompanied the remains to the depot, from where the family took them to Sag, Illinois, for burial. He leaves a mother, two brothers and three sisters to mourn his loss, also a large concourse of friends. IN MEMORY OF JOHN DRAKE. Tuesday about 2:35 p. m., just as the chemistry class had been dismissed, word was received that John Drake had died, after a sickness of only one week. This was not only a sad blow tb his mother, but to his many friends and especially to his class. Glad hearts were turned to sorrow and heartfelt sympathy was extended to the bereaved parent, brothers and sisters, by everyone. It was just a week ago last Sunday that he was among his friends and apparently enjoying the beu of health. The Tuesday following he was taken sick. By Saturday a slight cold had developed into lung fever and pneumonia, and he was in a critical condition. He steadily grew worse until Tuesday noon when he took a change for the better. But this change was only temporary, and at about 2p.m. he died. He was conscious till the last and at noon he recognized two of his schoolmates and shook hands with them. John was a boy who everyone admired and was willing to be a friend to everyone; was good natured and as a result he was considered the leader in his class; whenever a party or social was announced he was among the first to get it started. The Junior class will never forget the many happy hours they have spent in his company, at parties or socials. At his books he was a bright scholar and gave promises of a bright future. He was a great reader and found a delight in good books, and he had a better knowledge of books than any one in the school, He was an obedient son and a favorite in the family circle. It is indeed a hard blow for a young m#n just in the bloom of manhood to be snatched away by death, but since all of us must die, death should not r>e looked upon so cruelly- Dtath was a relief to John’s sufferings and he departed from this world of pain and woe, in peace. John's cheerful mood, and his jovial manner of entertaining will forever live iij the hearts of his schoolmates. He the young and strong who cherished . Noble longings for the strife. By the roadside fell and perished Weary with the march of life. By The Class.