Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 March 1919 — Obituary [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Obituary

Jacob May Jacob A. May, familiarly known to his friends as “Uncle Jake,” had been about in his customary health, though not very well at any time lately, and had eaten his Sunday dinner. After dinner he went up stairs and Mrs. May heard him fall at the head of the staircase. She called hejp from the neighbors and Mr. Washburn and Mr. Greenwood managed to get him onto a bed, but (he expired almost immediately. The funeral was held at the rest* dence on Tuesday at 2:00 -p. m. Rev. Warrlner assisted by Rev. Tharp conducted the services. Interment at Remington cemetery. The following obituary was read at the funeral: “Jacob A. May, son of George and Mary (Yager) May, was born in Greenbflar county, Virginia, Aug-

ust 23, 1843, and died at his home in Remington, Indiana, on Sunday. March 9, 1919, at .the ate of 72 years, 6 months and 14 days. In his Infancy his parents left Virginia and came to Jasper county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood, and has made this county his permanent home. His father was a practical man in rearing his family, and all of his spns, including Jacob, were given some farm duties which they were expected to perform. When about fifteen years old, inheriting forty acres of land from his father's estate, he started out for himself as a farmer, but it was In the time of the civil war and men on every side were enlisting and he too, decided to volunteer. With ' this object its view he went to Indianapolis to enlist. When he reacned Indianapolis he learned that the regiment which he wished to Join was already completed, therefore 10 was not til] June 9, 1862, near Pittsburg, Pa., that he enlisted as a ‘member of Co. A, 11th U. S. Regulars. The first engagement in which he participated was the battle of Antetlam, following which were engagements at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Mine Run. And whenever the battle of Gettysburg was mentioned in his hearing he most proudly told of the valor of bls regiment and Company, which went into the engagement 240 men and came out with only 118 survivors, he himself receiving a wound in the side in this battle Following tihis cams the battles of the Wilderness and in the series of engagements he was captured by the confederates and as (prisoner of war. Was taken to the prison at Andersonville, and later was to be taken to a prison at Florence. In transferring the prisoners from one prison to another the prisoners were driven in front of the soldiers in charge so that a rear attack by Federal soldiers qpuld * not recapture them. Because of those conditions Mr. May decided upon making a desperate attempt to get away and fortunately succeeded, and after many hazardous adventures finally rejoined his regiment, after the surrender of Richmond.

Although at the time of enlistment he was little more than a child, not sixteen years old, he went through three years of army life with the courage and strength of a to an, taking part in some of the greatest battles of the war. During the last part of his service he was transferred from Company A to Company B, in the same regiment, and was honorably discharged at Oanrp Winder, June 9, 1865. On December 3, 1868, Jacob A. May was. upited in (marriage with Elizabeth A. Ravenscroft. To this union five children were born: Elwood, who died at the age of fifteen years, Jessie, who died at the age of twelve years, Claude W. and Bertrand, the .two now living near Remington, and the fifth child, Artie, who died in Infancy. Last December 3, 1918, this couple passed th£ fiftieth mile stone of their married life. While he removed from the farm some six years ago and came to Remington to reside, it may be said that Mr. May followed an active life until the last. His was an orderly life and he. understood that with his failing health he was approaching death and said that he had no fear of meeting it. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 74, of Remington, and his fall makes andther break in the ‘‘Old Soldiers” rapidly depleting ranks. —Remington Press.

Greenip I. Thomas The rather sudden death of our fellow townsman and business man, Greenip T .* Thomas, on Saturday evening, came a« a shock to most people. Mr. Thomas had been in very poor health for two years, more or less, and his entire Tecovery was not expected by anyone who knew of his condition, tyjtvno one supposed death to be seggffijW*. He seemed to be in about health, up to Wednesday writer was talking to him at his implement store, and he expressed the Intention of building for himself a bungalow as soon as he could dispose of the old hotel building. He also attended a meeting of the church board on Tuesday night of the Christian Church of which he was a 'member, and a pillar In the church. Thursday, he was taken with the flu which develojped into pneumonia, probably hastened by his weakened constitution and growing rapidly worse, passed away at 7:20 Saturday evening. t Mr. Thomas was a member of the town board and had the interest and welfare of the community at heart, and was one of the foremost to support l any worthy enterpflse that would redound to the good of the

town or community at large. He was owner of the hardware store and joint owner In the implement business of the town. He was also among the Incorporators of- the new Farmers' National bank, which is about to be established here, The funeral was held at tne Christian church, Monday, at 2:30 p. m., Rev. A. C. Tharp conducting the services. At the grave the services were under the auspices of the Masonic lodge, of which he was an honored member. He was also a 'member of the Knights of Pythias and Eastern Star orders. Mrs. Thomas was also sick at the time of her husband’s death and was unable to attend the funeral. The following is the obituary as read at that time: G. I. Thomas, son of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Thomas, was born in White county, Indiana, 66 years ago the 17th of August. He was married to Sarah' E. Owens, 37 years ago the 26th of October. To this union one. child was born, Opal Thomas Dowell, who preceded her father to the great beyond. Mr. Thomas was the oldest of four children, two boys and two girls. The brother and sisters are George W. Thomas of Hhmmond, Indiana, Mary Thomas, deceased, and Mrs. Belle James. Two nephews, Fred L». James, now in the U. S. service in Germany,-and James O Thomas of Remington, Indiana, two nieces, Bell Coohran of Niles, Michigan, and Josephine Mattix of Argos, Indiana. Mt. Thomas followed farming for several years between- here and Wolcott, also north of Rensselaer. He conducted a meat market in Rensselaer for three years. In 1903 he moved to Remington, where he has since resided. He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife, a brother and sister, nephews and nieces, also his son-in-law, L. E. Dowell, besides a host of relatives and friends. Remington Press.

When Rubbers Become Necessary And your shoes pinch and corn* and bunions ache and, pain, do as the soldiers do; Shake some Allen’s in each shoe each morning. It gives quick relief to tired, aching, swollen feet, prevents blisters and Chafing ot the sfroe, and makes walking easy. Alien’s TootEase is the greatest comfort discovery of the age. Bold everfwhere. —AdJvt. No better job work produced in this section of Indiana than that turned' out-by The Democrat.