Colonel John Jackson Howard

 
The Courant American
Cartersville, Georgia
April 2, 1891, page 4
 
Transcribed by:  
 

Gone To His Rest.
Colonel John J. Howard Passes Peacefully Away.
A City in Mourning Over the Loss of One of Its Most Valued Citizens—The Funeral Services.

A good man has gone.
A prince among men has sank to rest.
A true Christian, a good citizen and a kind-hearted high minded gentleman has gently laid down to sleep.

The news of the death of Colonel John Jackson Howard, which passed from lip to lip last Sunday morning, was received with genuine sorrow by the people of the community. All alike shared in the grief, the poorest as well as the white, for the forty years that Colonel Howard lived in this city his life was so clean, his character so high and his acts of kindness so many, that he not only did not have an enemy, but every one was his devoted friend.

Colonel Howard died Sunday morning about 1:30 o’clock. His death was not unexpected, for he had been failing in health for several months. He knew that his life on this earth was nearing to an end and with the calmness and unconcern of one whose life was pure and spotless awaited its coming. To use his own words some time previous to his death: “If it is the will of God that I shall die I am ready and willing to go; if He has more work for me on earth I am willing to stay and serve Him.” But he had fulfilled well the work given him by his Master, who saw fit to call him when he did. And so, on Sunday morning, surrounded by loved ones, he gently fell to rest.

Colonel Howard was born in Pickens district, S. C., on the 8th of April, 1816, making him at the time of his death, seventy-four years, eleven months and twenty days old. When quite a young man he moved to Hamburg, S. C., where he engaged in the mercantile business as a clerk. In 1842 he married Miss Lois Benham, a sister of Dr. W. I. Benham, who preceded him to that home in Heaven only a few short months. He moved to Cartersville in 1852 and with the exception of two months during the late war, when he refugeed to Brooks county, he remained continuously a citizen of Cartersville. He formed a partnership with the late John A. Erwin when he first came to this city, which lasted until a long time after the war. He then went into the banking business with his son, Mr. W. H. Howard, establishing the first institution of that kind in this city, but a few years ago retired from that. He has always been one of Cartersville’s chief cotton buyers.

Col. Howard left three children to mourn their loss, Mr. W. H. Howard, the banker, Mrs. R. A. Clayton, of this city, and Mrs. T. B. Cabaniss, of Forsyth.

The Funeral.

The funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the First Baptist church of this city, Dr. Dobbs, the pastor, conducting them.

Notwithstanding the disagreeable weather a large number were present, as many as could be seated in the church. While these services were being conducted business in town was suspended, every store being closed, and the schools were dismissed.

At 3 o’clock the soft notes of the funeral dirge came from the organ and the handsome casket, literally covered with flowers, and containing all that was mortal of J. J. Howard was borne in the church, followed by the mourning ones. The pall bearers were: Mr. E. E. Freeman, Mr. J. W. Harris, Jr., Mr. J. C. Milam, Capt. M. L. Pritchett, Colonel J. G. M. Montgomery, Capt. D. W. K. Peacock and Mayor W. C. Baker.

After the casket was tenderly placed in front of the pulpit Mrs. Dr. Dobbs sang as a voluntary, “Nearer my God to Thee,” after which a prayer was offered by the pastor. The choir then sang a hymn which was a favorite with Col. Howard, “It is Well with My Soul.”

Dr. Dobbs read a selection from Paul, following it with an eloquent sermon, relating the beautiful Christian life of the deceased. His words, couched in truth and beauty, found a responsive echo in every heart of that vast congregation.

After the sermon the funeral cortege slowly filed out of the building, and the casket was placed in the hearse, which was followed to the cemetery by a long line of carriages and people on foot. While the services at the church were going on a memorial meeting at the colored Baptist church was also held, conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. F. Bright. Colonel Howard had been a liberal patron of this church and the congregation turned out to honor his memory.

At the grave a prayer was offered, after which the remains were laid away.

 

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