| John F. Sanders | |||||||||
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One of Muncie's Best Citizens Passes Away John F. Sanders, the well known lawyer and citizen, died at 5 o'clock last evening at his residence, corner of High and Jackson street, aged fifty-five years. The direct cause of death was Bright's disease, of which the deceased had for many months been a sufferer. The last and final illness began some five weeks ago, since shich time he was confined to his bed and underwent great suffering. Death came peacefully, and no man could have met it more bravely or stood afflic- tion more patiently. The funeral is announced to occur from the house at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon conducted by the Improved Order of Red Men. Further notice of same will be given tomorrow. The deceased was born in Butler county, Ohio,, Jan 8th, 1837. His mother doed when he was but two years of age, and the father shortly after moved to this county with his baby child. in a few years, the father married again, and the second wife having a large number of children, and both families being very poor, the lot of young Sanders became anything but promising. To add to his difficulties, he received while yet a boy, an injury to his hip which put him on crutches, made him a cripple for life and doubtless induced Bright's disease, the direct cause of his death. Upon reaching young manhood, Mr. Sanders decided to take up a profession and although having to walk on crutches, worked as a farm hand until he had accumulated several hundred dollars. Bringing this money to town, he began reading law with Shipley & Kilgore. He kept down his expenses by cooking and sleeping in an obscure room, and earned whatever he could by using wither his brain or doing manual labor. Being both frugal and industrious he got through with his studies, began the practice of law, and in due time built up a good clientage. That he made success in his profession is shown by his accumulation of a handsome competence and the gaining of an honorable name. He was a man possessed of strong, active brain force and great determination. Few would have succeeded as he did in life, weighed down as he was by poverty, sickness, and almost constant bodily suffering. In politics he was a Republican, and while strong in his convictions, at times asserted his independence of party. As regards to religion, he acted outside the pale of churches and creeds. Yet upon his death bed and upon other occasions during his last sickness he repeatedly expresed himself as ready to die, and said time and again that he and his family would be happily united in the great beyond, Although not appearing sympathetic, he was easily touched, and upon a recent visit to his monther's grave, fell upon the mound, weeping and crying aloud as if hi heart would break. He took an active part in the benevolent work carried on by the Improved Order of Red Men, and had been honored by an election to the highest office in the State, the of Grand Sachem of Indiana. He was married in this city in 1868 to Mille Barnes (daughter of the late William Barnes) who has ever been to him a true and faithful helpmeet, ministering to his every suffering and want, as only a loving wife can. He leaves no children. John Farnsworth Sanders was a good citizen, a kind neighbor and a firm friend. He believed strongly in the future of Muncie and gave substantial aid to the movement looking to the upbuilding of the city. The funeral will take place from the late residence on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, under the aupices of De Ember Tribe, No. 30, I. O. R. M Rev. Frank H> Hays of the First Presbyterian church will officiate. Interment at Beech Grove cemetery. The funeral of Mr. John F. Sanders will occur from the late residence this afternoon at 2:00 o;clock, under the auspices of DeEmber tribe I. O. R. M., Rev. Hays officiating. Mr. R. S. Gregory will make a brief address on the part of the lodge. The Delaware county bar will attend and one of their members will speak of the deceased as he was known by his fellowmen. Friends of the family are invited. The Obsequies Over the Late John F. Sanders Held Yesterday Afternoon All that was mortal of John F. Sanders were consigned to its eternal resting place yesterday afternoon. The services were con- ducted at the home, on the corner of Jackson and High streets, rev. Franks Hays, of the Presbyterian church officiating. His talk was a tribute to the life of one whe had been a good citien, of whom can be truthfully stated after his departure that the world was better for his having lived it. For the Bar, of which the deceased was an honored member, Geo H. Koons read the resolutions of respect adopted by that body, A Paper was also read from the pen of Jas. N. Templer, a life long friend, paying high tribute ti the memory of the deceased. R. S. Gregory, on behalf of the Improved Order of Red Menn the arose doing honor to the spirit of the departed, not only as a citien, but as a brother and one who had through life lived under the motto of the Order, Freedom, Friendship and Charity. The following is an extract of the address: "The beginning of life in organism in an event that brings joy; and when that life terminates, we find in a corresponding measure, sorrow and sadness. When the babe is chistianed, laughter and mirth brighted all the surroundings; but in the chamber of death, tears and sighs touch the pictures of life and the shadow on this side if eternity appears. The beginning and the end are too sublime to be accounted for by the mysteries of men, or the circles of chance. I know not the source, neither do I believe that both are the matchless work of superhuman agencies. My friend and brother, whose corpse lies before me, while clothed with vitality thought and pondered over the mysteries which he has now passed. He was a great student in the mysticisms and the theologies of the past and present. He was not a belieer in the creeds and dogmas of church as commonly told, but I heard him at the shrine of the beloved order in whose faith he died, reverentially proclaim, "I believe in the Great Spirit." He wa a devout member of the Improved Order of Red Men. In the teachings of that fraternity, both mystic and real, he saw the trail leading from the hunting grounds of this world into those of the Great Spirit. Hiis soul was content in the faith that the Father who noted the errors of his chidren would more certainly bless their virtues and forgive their shortcomings. His life was a model of faith. It was strong, hopeful and lasting. He went down through the valley and shadow of death conscious of his appraching end. At the river he lingered for a moment. His passage was not ob- structed, but his soul, I fancy, looked once more upon the relatives and friends whom he had so shortly before told he would meet in his eternal home on the other shore. Those who saw him through his suffering and at his death have told me that he awaited death as one friend would wait for another. The grave has no terrors for him. His was a revelation in death. Oh what a future! Shall that future be eternal sleep or activity? Will the vision which Jacob saw in his dream be realized in that world? Brother Sanders had only turned the meridian of life. He had struggles with poverty and suffered with bodly flictions as few of the children of men ever did. He is now at rest. He brethren are here to do honor to his memoriy and his virtues. He had received so many honors in the Order. He had been the Sache of his tribe; represen- tative in the Great Council of the Order and finally the Great Sachem of the State of Indiana. In every station he filled he reflected honor apon himself and the fraternity. May the Great Spirit dispel the clouds between him and his broken household. May the widow look up with that faith in eternal things which he possessed may the future to him and her be under the guidance of that fraternal spirit which severs no homes, but binds in everlasting union the souls of this world." The line of march to the "City of the Dead" was taken up at 2:30 in which the members of the order and other friends participated. At the open grave the funeral ritual of the order was carried out and now nothing but a memory, green in the minds of his many friends remains the late John Farnsworth Sanders. |