Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1894 — OBITUARY. [ARTICLE]

OBITUARY.

John Utter was born near Newburgh, N. Y., January 14, 1811, and died at the home of his son, Rev. R. D. Utter, in Rensselaer Ind., July 20, 1894, aged 83 yearay AY -months and 6 days. He was in early childhood, when the family moved from his native place to the vicinity of Trenton, New Jersey. There he lost his father. Thence at the age of fifteen, he conducted his widowed mother, with her family, across the mountains, to Ohio, halting first at Cincinnatti, but pressing on, after a year or two, into the White river country, in Indiana. He was twice married. His first wife was Rebecca Gillespie, of Owen county, Indiana, to whom be was married in 1833. She was born of Methodist parents, near Lexington,Ky., her ancestry hailing from the James River region, Ya. Her father was a member of some note in the local lanks. She died in Montgomery county, Indiana, in 1847. He married his second wife, Mariam Bailey, of Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1849. One child, a son, was born to him of his first wife. His second marriage was without issue. His last wife died in Thorntown Ind., Dec., 19,1892, after which he made his home with his son, Rev. R D. Utter, of the Northwest Indiana Conference.

Not leng after the date of his first marriage he was converted and received unto the fellowship of the Methodist Episcopal church. On declaring himself a follower of Christ he created the family alter, and ever after, morniDg and evening as regularly as the day came around the voice of prayer and praise was heard in his home. A more honest, upright man never lived. He was thoroughly conscientious, acting from principle rather than impulse, never swerving from the right as God gave him to see the right. The end has come at lost. Having furnished his course, he has gone to receive his reward, a crown of life. Tue funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Beech, of the Presbyterian church, at 9:30 a. m., July 21; after which, by the 10:50 train, the body was taken to Thorntown, Ind., for interment.