PLEASANT C. MCGANNON
North Vernon Plain Dealer - February 10, 1905
Almost the entire front page of the paper is taken up with the death of Mr. McGannon
FUNERAL
Services in Christian Church held Saturday Afternoon
Over Body Of
THE LATE CAPT. P. C. MCGANNON
Friends of the late Capt. P.C. McGannon attended his funeral services in the Christian Church
last Saturday afternoon at two o'clock. Long before the hour the church was filled with those who had come out to pay their last tribute of
respect to the man who had been a life long and pioneer citizen of the county and city of North Vernon.
Rev. Nesslage, of Madison, had charge of the services. Rev. Brazelton, of this city, who received Mr. McGannon into the church here fifty years ago and Rev. C.C. Bonnell of the M.E. church were seated with the pastor in charge.
As the body was taken into the church the quartette, Mrs. F.G. Meloy, Mrs. Chas. Curtis, Mr. Fred Evans and Mr. Elias Brewer, sang a favorite hymn "There Is A Land of Pure Delight," followed by the reading of nineteen verses of the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of John. Rev. Bonnell delivered a prayer that contained various tributes of respect, referring to his noble life, his duties as a soldier, and his work in his order of I.O.O.F. "Lead Kindly Light" was another favorite hymn and was rendered with feeling.
The text of the sermon delivered was the twenty-fourth verse from the eleventh chapter of "The Acts."
Among the tributes of the sermon we gleaned the following.
"We have gathered to pay tribute to a good and holy man who has spent his life in our midst. One who was ever ready to help you, and any enterprise of benefit to the community received assistance and encouragement from his willing hand."
"He was loved and honored because of his good qualities and that is the reason you are here today to pay this last tribute of respect."
"It is good for us to study the life of those who are good , because of the ideals that lead us on to better and brighter things."
"It was good for mankind that Christ came when he did, for the world in which he was born needed an example of the purer and life and he came in the fullness of time. He set the standard by which we can all be benefited."
"Where did the deceased get his good qualities? Partly inherited and partly by environment. His mother was a good woman, and her mother good and so on. The foundation was right and the environment good."
"Every loving character must come from good. Every good will go back to the "Good One" "The God" "Love."
"Is this life the end all. Do we finish our life and die as flowers or plants? It can not be. Too many men are advancing in mind at eighty or ninety and beg to live an hundred years more, as they have only begun to see the beauties of this life. Therefore have they done all that has been alloted to them? Surely their work will continue in the great beyond."
"It seems to be an instinct with some that there is a peaceful hereafter, where better and greater good can be acomplished." "The brightness and good cheer are gifts of Christ. The black casket, the skull and cross bones are relics of Paganism."
"The great thinkers of the day tell of a future life."
"The ego lives and lives though the body is dead. It is the ego that makes us what we are. Although you may see the body and its actions, yet the life that causes all you do not see."
"Monuments built to men cause the on-rushing generations to think of the good done by the person to whom the tribute was erected."
"Take comfort from the fact that it is right to do right; that it is right to follow the Christ character; study the good and love the beautiful. All relatives and friends should be comforted."
At the close of the service Rev. Brazelton spoke of the long friendship that existed between himself and the deceased. That for over fifty years they had been bosom friends and that he was too full of sorrow over the loss to say very much, but what he could say would reflect, honor glory and respect upon his departed friend.
That beautiful hymn which the deceased loved so well, "Beautiful Isle Of Somewhere" was sung. The I.O.O.F took charge of the services at this point and the funeral service was pronounced. The G.A.R was represented and the few that were left were seated in a body with the flag draped over the casket.
The remains were taken to the city cemetery and interred by the I.O.O.F. and G.A.R. Orders, which used their customary and usual rites.
Those from out of the city who attended the funeral were Hon. David Overmyer, of Topeka, Kan.; Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Fable, of Topeka Jan.; Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Tripp, of Indianapolis, and Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Robinson of Madison.
Rev. Nesslage, of Madison, had charge of the services. Rev. Brazelton, of this city, who received Mr. McGannon into the church here fifty years ago and Rev. C.C. Bonnell of the M.E. church were seated with the pastor in charge.
As the body was taken into the church the quartette, Mrs. F.G. Meloy, Mrs. Chas. Curtis, Mr. Fred Evans and Mr. Elias Brewer, sang a favorite hymn "There Is A Land of Pure Delight," followed by the reading of nineteen verses of the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of John. Rev. Bonnell delivered a prayer that contained various tributes of respect, referring to his noble life, his duties as a soldier, and his work in his order of I.O.O.F. "Lead Kindly Light" was another favorite hymn and was rendered with feeling.
The text of the sermon delivered was the twenty-fourth verse from the eleventh chapter of "The Acts."
Among the tributes of the sermon we gleaned the following.
"We have gathered to pay tribute to a good and holy man who has spent his life in our midst. One who was ever ready to help you, and any enterprise of benefit to the community received assistance and encouragement from his willing hand."
"He was loved and honored because of his good qualities and that is the reason you are here today to pay this last tribute of respect."
"It is good for us to study the life of those who are good , because of the ideals that lead us on to better and brighter things."
"It was good for mankind that Christ came when he did, for the world in which he was born needed an example of the purer and life and he came in the fullness of time. He set the standard by which we can all be benefited."
"Where did the deceased get his good qualities? Partly inherited and partly by environment. His mother was a good woman, and her mother good and so on. The foundation was right and the environment good."
"Every loving character must come from good. Every good will go back to the "Good One" "The God" "Love."
"Is this life the end all. Do we finish our life and die as flowers or plants? It can not be. Too many men are advancing in mind at eighty or ninety and beg to live an hundred years more, as they have only begun to see the beauties of this life. Therefore have they done all that has been alloted to them? Surely their work will continue in the great beyond."
"It seems to be an instinct with some that there is a peaceful hereafter, where better and greater good can be acomplished." "The brightness and good cheer are gifts of Christ. The black casket, the skull and cross bones are relics of Paganism."
"The great thinkers of the day tell of a future life."
"The ego lives and lives though the body is dead. It is the ego that makes us what we are. Although you may see the body and its actions, yet the life that causes all you do not see."
"Monuments built to men cause the on-rushing generations to think of the good done by the person to whom the tribute was erected."
"Take comfort from the fact that it is right to do right; that it is right to follow the Christ character; study the good and love the beautiful. All relatives and friends should be comforted."
At the close of the service Rev. Brazelton spoke of the long friendship that existed between himself and the deceased. That for over fifty years they had been bosom friends and that he was too full of sorrow over the loss to say very much, but what he could say would reflect, honor glory and respect upon his departed friend.
That beautiful hymn which the deceased loved so well, "Beautiful Isle Of Somewhere" was sung. The I.O.O.F took charge of the services at this point and the funeral service was pronounced. The G.A.R was represented and the few that were left were seated in a body with the flag draped over the casket.
The remains were taken to the city cemetery and interred by the I.O.O.F. and G.A.R. Orders, which used their customary and usual rites.
Those from out of the city who attended the funeral were Hon. David Overmyer, of Topeka, Kan.; Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Fable, of Topeka Jan.; Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Tripp, of Indianapolis, and Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Robinson of Madison.
Pleasant McGannon departed this life February 2, 1905 in North Vernon, in the county in which he was born.
For seventy-five years, his whole life he was a citizen of Jennings county. He was a typical Indianian, open, honest, sincere and unaffected. His childhood and youth were passed on his father's farm near Vernon. He grew to manhood surrounded by primeval forests. From these and from the fields and streams and from rugged rocks he imbibed and absorbed subtle yet potent lessons of nature that develop the conscience and teach man that he is brother to all that lives, a part of the universal life. In the common school of his time, and by a short attendance of the State University he acquired a good practical english education. Arriving at manhood he became a blacksmith about the same time he became a member of the Christian Church to which faith he adhered until the end of his life.
Forty-eight years ago he was married to Mary Elizabeth Hicks, who died several years ago. Of this union were born seven children all but two of whom preceded him to the tomb. The two survivors are Mrs. Warren Dobbins, of North Vernon and Mrs. E.C. Fable, of Topeka, Kan. During the Civil War the deceased was a soldier of the now immortal 6th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. By merit, worth and bravery he arose to the rank of Captain through several promotions. In the command of his company he covered retrograde movement of the regiment on the bloody field of Stone River. This was a perilous and trying service, but it was performed by him with that coolness, intelligence and courage which ever distinguished him as a soldier. Again he distinguished himself for gallantry, steadiness. and true soldierly qualities at the great battle of Chickamauga. He participated in all the battles in which the Sixth was engaged in the three years service, except the battle of Shilo, when he was absent on detatched duty. His judgement was excellent, his counsel valuable, his heart constant, and his kindness and consideration for his men were unfailing. At the battle of Risacca, Georgia, he was severely almost fatally wounded. The wound was undoubtedly the cause of the fatal paralysis which caused his death and so he died for his country as surely as if he had fallen dead upon the field of Risacca.
After the war he was twice Auditor of Jennings county and also filled offical positions in the city Government of North Vernon. The court house and Jennings county will be lonesome without him. His familiar figure and kindly countenance will be missed by those who frequent the places that knew him for more than three score and ten years. But more than all he will be missed by those related to him by the blessed ties of family and kindred. His affectionate nature and beautiful character endeared him especially to these. He was always first to meet them at their coming and last to say farewell at parting. His friendship never weakened; his sympathy never ceased; his affection never failed; ever tender, loving and fraternal. His later years witnessed the development in him of a most earnest and zealous Christian faith and when his time came he fell at the very foor of the alter of the santuary where he had just worshipped.
The funeral services was conducted by Rev. Nesslage, of Madison, on the 4th instant from the same church with the rites of religion and the beautiful service of the Odd Fellows, of which order he was a member, and the impressive and pathetic ceremony of the Grand Army of the Republic, the casket being draped with the flag of his country, being sent by of the Loyal Legion, of which he was a member.
Although the weather was bitter cold the immense concern of the people that crowded the church and the throng that proceeded to the cemetery affected the honor the honor, esteem and affection in which he was held and with which he was regarded by his fellowmen. If good men go to Heaven he is now there; if patriots go to Heaven, he has passed the portals and rests in the sunshine of light.
Capt. P.C. McGannons Business
Career
Career
Mr. P.C. McGannon was born in Jennings county November 11, 1829. After receiving the best education the common schools afforded in his youth, he took a course at the State University at Bloomington, Ind.
In 1852 Mr. McGannon with others, embarked in the business of manufacturing plows and other implements, and erected a factory at Vernon, the firm being known as the Butler, McGannon & Co. He continued in this industry until 1858, when with his father-in-law, E.P. Hicks, he came to North Vernon, then know as Tripton. Here Mr. Butler erected the first flour mill built in this section, known as the Tripton Mills, and with Mr. McGannon, engaged in the flouring industry. In 1859 the latter took charge of the mill, which he managed successfully until 1861, at which time he enlisted in the Civil War. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned to his home at North Vernon, where he resumed charge of the Tripton Mills.
In 1868 Mr. Hicks sold his interest in the mill to Mr. McCannon, who then conducted it alone. In 1868 he formed a partnership with Eldo Hicks and J.B. McMillan, and embarked in the dry goods and general merchandise business in this city. Later he purchased Mr. McMillan's interest in the mill.
In 1872 Mr. McGannon was elected to the responsible position of auditor of Jennings county on the Republican ticket, and so efficient was his administration that at the end of one term he was reelected to succeed himself, thus serving the people of the county in a public capacity for eight years, and making a fine record for ability and honesty.
On May 1, 1896, Mr. McGannon sold his flouring mill to Eberts & Bro., after having been connected with it in an active capacity for thirty-six years. He formed a partnership with J.W. Carson, his son-in-law and conducted the meat market on Fifth street for two years. After disposing of this business he retired from his active business career.
In Memory
The City Council in its regular meeting held February 10, 1905, passed the following resolution.Whereas, The Hand of death has removed from our midst our esteemed friend and fellow citizen, Pleasant C. McGannon.
Resolved, by the Common Council of the City of North Vernon, Ind., that in the death of Capt. McGannon the city has lost one of its foremost and public spirited citizens.
That as a public officer, patriotic soldier and useful citizen he earned the commendation and respect of all and conferred honor upon every interest with which he was connected.
That this Council extends its sincere sympathy to his surviving relatives and will ever treasure its association with Capt. McGannon as one of its most valued possessions.
Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be spread on the minutes of the Council, published in the city papers and placed in the hands of the family of the deceased.
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