EGGERS, Jesse
Source: Greencastle Herald, Friday, February 13, 1914
Jesse Eggers, eldest son of William Eggers and Mary Tatum Eggers, was born near Connersville, Fayette County, Indiana, January 11, 1818, and when about nine years old came with his parents to Putnam county, Indiana, and settled near Greencastle October 14th 1827 in the woods when this county was a dense forest, and as soon as his strength and size would admit, began to help his father and mother make a home, and by diligent industry was rewarded by the abundant harvest and blooming fields and no doubt died more towards making this good old county of Putnam what it is today than any man probably who ever lived in the county.
He was married to Sarah Morphew, daughter of James Morphew in May 1837, and by the help of his faithful companion succeeded in gaining quite a competence and raising a large family to bless their labor of love through their declining years.
To this union was born five sons and three daughters; viz; John Wesley, William Riley, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Jesse D. Wright, Mary Jane, Mahala Ellen and Sarah Elizabeth, all of whom lived to brighten their pathway through the thorns and thistles, the cold and heat, and the weather too cold or the labor too arduous, of the sacrifice to great to in any way deter Uncle Jesse, as he was familiarly called, from discharging his duty to his family and friends, in sickness, or distress and he could be called upon as a friend in all needs.
After having helped make this county blossom as the rose for more than four score years, he was deprived of his dear companion in August, 1897, also the two latter daughters not far from that time and his oldest son, John W., who died February 24, 1903.
He was blessed with a chance to see all of his children married off, and to assist them to get homes and ever admonished them that honesty is the best policy; the motto of his life ever was to make his word as good as his bond.
In latter years he has made his home with his oldest daughter and husband, Charles T. Meyers and wife about four miles Southeast of Roachdale where he departed this life on February 6th, 1914, being ninety-six years and twenty-sixth days old at the time of his death. He was the oldest man in this part of the county if not in the county and never once in that long eventful life, surrounded by vice and evil influence, died he allow his evil nature to get control of him, or allow blasphemous words and cursing to escape his lips no matter the provocation or environments with which he was surrounded he never lost control of his well-balanced mind.
He never became identified with any church but was sympathy with the Baptist Church of which his companion and several of his children were members; and only deprived himself of the joys in store for him in the acts of obedience, but many acts of charity and benevolence bespoke highly of that Christian spirit so predominant in his nature, and often expressed more loudly than words all through his long life which is a legacy to follow and bless his bereaved family through the years.
He leaves to mourn his demise four sons and one daughter, a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren too numerous for the memory of the writer; also some brothers and other relatives and a host of friends who may well emulate many of his good examples.
Funeral services were conducted at Barnard by Elder C.L. Airhart to the comfort and edification of all, after which the remains were tenderly laid to rest by the side of his dear companion in Barnard cemetery to await the final resurrection morn - Kim H & Marilyn W - thanks kiddos !!