STOOPS, James
Source: Greencastle Star Press, 20 Jan 1894 p 1
James Stoops, one of the oldest residents of Putnam County died at his late residence in Warren Township on Jan 16 of pneumonia, aged 78 years. Deceased was a good man and estimable citizen with a host of friends who mourn his demise. The funeral took place on Thursday services conducted by Rev. Dickerson of Indianapolis; interment at Deer Creek Cemetery. - kbz
Source: Greencastle Star Press 3 Feb 1894 p 4
James Stoops was born July 20, 1815 near Wilmington, Ohio and died Jan 16, 1894 at the ripe age of 78 years 5 months and 26 days. He came to this county about the year 1835 and was married to Miss Artimacy Glazbrook Nov 11, 1836. To this union were born four children one son and three daughters. The son and one daughter long since preceded him to the great beyond. The other two, Mrs. Jas. Cooper and Mrs. RH Bowen lived to soothe and comfort their father in a dying hour. His first wife fell a victim to typhoid fever and died March 5, 1875 and on Sept 8, 1880, he was married to his surviving companion, Miss Elizabeth Swift. To them was born one son, little Jimmie Stoops and to raise him so that he might become a useful and an honorable man caused him much care and thought and during his last illness although suffering great pain continually, he talked to the little fellow and admonished him to be a good boy, that he might become a good man and when he became too weak to utter a full sentence he looked at Jimmie and exclaimed, “Lord bless my …” and his voice failed and the sentence was not finished. He was brought up under the strict training of Covenanter Presbyterian parents and he took great pride in speaking of their many virtues, and to them may be attributed his great aversion to wrong doing as he always scorned a mean act. Some called him eccentric in his religious views. He said he was in the Lord’s hands and was willing to risk his cause there. He never made any public profession of faith. When his present wife united with the church he was importuned by Mrs. Bowen to unite too but he remarked to her: “I never joined during your mother’s life and I cannot do so now.” For many weeks before his death he talked often of its approach with as much calmness as he would a business matter and told his daughter he was trying to live so as to meet loved ones gone before. He said he never closed his eyes for sleep until he had prayed the Lord to keep him. On the night of the 9th inst he was taken with a violent chill and from that time until his death he suffered untold misery growing rapidly worse from hour to hour and much that he said was in an incoherent manner but we learned from his broken sentences that he knew death was approaching and he expressed no fear. When almost gone he spoke of his great love for his children and his now bereaved companion who devoted her wedded life in striving to make him happy. He also tried to repeat some texts of scripture and attempted to sing and thus his life went out. His disease was catarrhal pneumonia and was so virulent in its nature that it baffled the skill of physicians and careful nursing. Nothing was left undone to try to alleviate his suffering but all in vain and we must submit to the will of the Lord. Mr. Stoops was a kind and affectionate husband and father, a good citizen and neighbor, and will be sadly missed by all … one who knew him.
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Source: Daily Greencastle Banner-Times 17 Jan 1894 p 3
James Stoops, of Putnamville died yesterday afternoon, aged about 75 years.