Coons - George Whitfield - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Two years ago the coming August Mr. Coons health began to fail but with an indomitable will and energy he continued in his vocation as a traveling salesman for almost a year until he was compelled to retire, but not without the hope that he would soon regain his strength and return to the road. After several months of rest he seemed to improve and was greatly encouraged, as were also his family and friends, when he sustained a fall a few weeks ago which greatly shocked him and since that time he has been in a gradual decline. His last serious illness covered a period one week and he passed peacefully away in the early morning surrounded by his family and friends.

George Whitfield Coons was born on a farm five miles southwest of this city Nov. 5, 1846 and his entire life has been lived in this county. He was the son of John R. and Nancy Thomson Coons, his father coming to this county from Tennessee and his mother being a native of Ohio. When quite a small boy he removed to this city with his parents and it has been his home since. He was married to Mary W. Griffin and to them was born one child, Edith M., the wife, daughter, three sisters and two brothers surviving.

When quite a young man Mr. Coons took up the occupation of a traveling salesman and the last thirty four years of his life have been spent in that capacity. It is very much to his credit to say that in that long period of years he was with but two firms in whose estimation he stood very high. His first traveling experience was with the firm of Moore & Morgan, wholesalers of dry goods, of Lafayette, and he continued with the firm until it retired from the business. His services were then employed by the firm of Havens & Geddes of Indianapolis in the same line of business and he was continued in the same territory where he had built up a splendid trade until sickness forced him to retire

After so long a period of years on the road he had cherished the desire, and so expressed it to his friends that he would be able to continue until he could attain the record of being the oldest traveling man on the road in his territory, but ill health deprived him of the consummation of this ambition just as it seemed it was about to be realized.

In the business world Mr. Coons was recognized for his even temperament and jovial disposition as well as for his strict attention to business and probably no man has a wider acquaintance than he in the territory which he covered. This fact has been attested by the solicitude of his customers and friends during his sickness.

Mr. Coons was a soldier in the civil war, being a member of the 154th Indiana Volunteers and at the time of his death was a member of McPherson Post, No. 7, G.A R. of this city. With his wife he joined the Methodist church in this city in 1874. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge of this city. He was the organizer of the Traveling Men’s Protective Association of this city and has been a respected officer and active worker for its growth and is also a member of the U.T.C.

The funeral will occur from the home Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock and will be conducted by Rev Fred Whitlow Hixon of the First M.E. church. The burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery. - thanks to PC for this one :)