NEAL, John Damascus - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Thursday, June 7, 1923 John Damascus Neal, son of William and Mary Neal, was born March 31, 1845, in Chatarn County North Carolina. Died at his home in Kingman, Fountain County, Indiana, on May 30, 1923 at the ripe age of 78 years, 1 month, 29 days. His mother died when he was a babe and hence never came into his memory and so was under the care and training of his father and mothered by his aunt Rebecca Bright, until manhood and of whom he always spoke in high esteem of her sterling qualities. Under this foster care youths years passed rapidly and pleasantly until the 16th year in the old North State and which found them at the breaking out of the Civil War, opposed to the system of human slavery, the cause of the war. His father and aunts and uncle came to this state and first stopped for one year on the Elijah Clore farm in Montgomery County and then removed on a farm south west of Harveysburg, Indiana where he made his home until his marriage to Mary Jane Bonebrake, daughter of Uncle Tobias and Aunt Orpha Caroline Waynick Bonebrake, on the 21st of January 1865. Officiating minister was Uncle John Ephlin. They began home life on a farm just north of the Town of Cates, Indiana, remaining there one year, then moved on the land south of Yeddo, that was inherited by Mary Jane from her father, and a part of the Old Homestead and John bought an addition. On this they lived till near 20 years to when they moved to the where they have since remained. Four children came into this home: Mary Henrietta, Anna Caroline, Jessie Susan, and David Samuel. Eleven grandchildren: Nina Cowgill, Geneva Wills, Leona Hershberger, Ruth Baker, Eugene McKenzie Neal, Laverne and Lavere Kent, David Jr., and Mary Neal. Three great grandchildren: Edward Cowgill, Rosa Mary Wills. All survive to revere and honor the memory of a kind father, a faithful grandfather and a loving great grandfather. Learning in early life by rugged practical experiences of the mandate that Heaven sent for man's disobedience. "By the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat bread," he, by a life of auduous labor learned full well its meaning and humbly, yet willingly accepted his part and share in Life's necessary work. Converted when 18 years of age, he enrolled his name in membership with the Missionary Baptist people at the Mill Creek Church, afterward when a class was organized at Harveysburg, moved his there. Conscious of his own human shortcomings, a sense of which he keenly felt, at time, and was free to confess, yet with an unfaltering trust in God's mercy, he approached the end of Life's journey as one, "That wraps the drapery of his couch about him lies down to pleasant dream." Leaving to his dear children and beloved wife who had shared life's labors and responsibilities with him for more than 58 years. To his only sister, Ann Kiger of Cayuga, Indiana, and the numerous relatives and friends an inheritance of Faith and Trust of more value than all Earth's gold. Funeral services were held in the M.E.Church here at 2 p.m. June 1st, conducted by brother John McHargue. Sister Cowgill offered prayer. Burial at Centennial Cemetery.    --- thanks so much to John W.