John STOCKTON

                   HOWARD HUMPHREY; VIRGINIA MCCOMAS; PAT STOCKTON
MARTIN TRUMAN AND HIS AMERICAN DESC., Doris Roney Bower: m. 29 AUG 1860,
      Guilford, Nodaway Co, MO; Obituary in back of Howard Humphreys copy:
     DEATH SUMMONS - OLDEST INHABITANT OF NEWMAN PASSES AWAY: "The death of
     "Uncle John Stockton", who was the oldest inhabitant of Newman and who kept
     the first grocery store in our city, occurec on Sunday morning at about one
     o'clock and was a severe shock to the entire populace, his demise being in
     the way of a sad surprize to all.  Our people were well aware of the fact
     that he had been in failing health for some months but his condition the past
     few weeks was seemingly better and on the evening before his death he had
     been walking about the yars.
     "Uncle" John was a man well respected by everyone and his life was as an
     open book on the pages of which were recorded deeds of kindness and charity.
     During the days of his activity he was a hustling business man, and through
     his honesty, integrity and uprightness had wone innumerable friends who held
     him in high esteem; the fact being fully demonstrated by the large number of
     friends at the last sad funeral rites.
     "Uncle" John assisted in the building of the M.E.Church of this city and had
     served as janitor of the same for many years.
     The funeral services occurec at the M.E.Church on Monday afternoon at two
     o'clock conducted by Rev. J.M.Oakwood assisted by the Rev. W.S.Calhoun, of
     Tuscola. Special and appropriate music was rendered by a mixed quartette,
     Misses Cora Magee and Grace Douglas; Rev. Oakwood and M.S. Smith.  The
     Masonic Order, of which he was an honorary member, had charge of the
     remains, and accompanied them to their last resting place in the Newman
     Cemetery, where the ususal ritualistic ceremonies took place. Mr. Stockton
     leaves a wife, son and daughter and a wide circle of friends to mourn his
     demise.  Among those from a distance in attendance at the funeral were: D.A.
     Stockton and mother, E.N.North and wife, Wm. Watson and wife, Sidell, ILL;
     Mrs. D.J. Williams, Decatur, Ill; Allen Weddle and wife, Montclair, Ind;
     S.R.Stewart and family, North Salem, Ind; W.H.Hall, Camargo, Ill; Rev.
     W.S.Calhoun and family, J.W.King and wife, Tuscola, Ill.
     Two Beautiful floral offerings were made - a sheaf of wheat by Wallace
     Stockton and a beautiful boquet of lilies and hyacinths by the railroad
     employees.
     The following obituary was read at the funeral services by Rev. Oakwood:
     "John Stockton was born of Christian parents in Madison County, Ohio on April
     19, 1822. On the 29th of August 1850, he was united in marriage to Lydia C.
     Sigler. Two of six children are still living, W.W. Stockton, of Indianapolis,
     and Mrs. Alice Hooe of Newman. The deceased was one of a large family, all of
     whom lived to a good age, one widowed sister alone surviving.  In 1858 Mr.
     and Mrs. Stockton moved to Newman, Illinois, which then consisted of one
     residence and two shops.  Brother Stockton was converted in 1860 under the
     ministry of the late Peter Wallace, since which time he has been a devoted
     member of the Newman M.E.Church. He helped lay the foundation of this church.
     In years gone by, the home of Brother and Sister Stockton was the frequent
     stopping place for the minister and his family.  The deceased began to down
     in health in August 1896; for five weeks being bedridden with typhoid fever;
     which was followed by a general breaking down of the "earthen vessel", and at
     one o'clock Sunday morning March 18th, 1897, death set free the immortal
     treasure from the earthly home of this tabernacle".  On the night of his
     death he twice named each of his children and the three grand children,
     wishing to see them once more.  He left a goodbye and a blessing for his
     neighbors and friends, and stepping calmly and fearlessly into the silent
     river disappeared to mortal eye in the shadows of death, and with the Savior
     crossed to the other shore, saved for eternity".