1889 Obituaries of Captain John M. Rabun of Union Parish Louisiana Submitted by: T. D. Hudson Date submitted: 8/2001 and updated 3/2010 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================= ================================================================================= 1889 Obituaries of Captain John M. Rabun of Union Parish Louisiana Farmer, Steamboat pilot and captain, and Mayor of Farmerville ================================================================================== ================================================================================== ================================================================================== ================================================================================== "The Daily Picayune" (New Orleans) 16 February 1889 ================================================================================== ================================================================================== DEATH OF CAPTAIN J. M. RABUN, Captain J. W. Blanks, president of the Ouachita River Consolidated line, yesterday received a telegram from Captain L. Brunner, at Monroe, stating that Captain J. M. Rabun had died Thursday night. The deceased had been ill for some time, and lost consciousness several days before his death. Captain Rabun was born in Union parish, La., and had steamboated for over thirty years in the Ouachita river trade, where he was universally admired and esteemed. For a number of years he had been associated with Captain L. Brunner, and at the time of his death was a director in the Monroe Transportation Company. He built the steamers Rosa B., Friendly, Trinity and several other boats, also ran a newspaper in Farmerville for some time, and was mayor of that town for several years. He was a man of due business qualities, with a kind and genial disposition, and his loss will be mourned by many in the OUachita valley. Captain Rabun leaves a wife and several sons, one a steamboatman on one of the Ouachita tributaries. The flags on the boats yesterday were placed at half-mast out of respect to his memory. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, February 16, 1889, page 2, column 2 ================================================================================== ================================================================================== DEATH OF CAPT. JOHN M. RABUN. A noble soul passed away to the great beyond when Capt. John M. Rabun breathed his last. He died in this city at the residence of Mrs. Kate Morris Thursday evening, 14th instant, at 11:30 o'clock in the 54th year of his age. Capt. Rabun had been in declining health for several months past but bore up bravely, continuing at his post as master of the steamboat Sterling White until he was forced to take to his bed about two weeks ago from which he never arose. He was attended in his illness by his family who came from their home at Farmerville upon hearing of his alarming condition, and they tenderly administered to his ever want. Capt. Rabun had been prominently connected and identified with the steamboat interests of the upper tributaries for a number of years and was considered one of the best and safest steamboatmen on the river. Before assuming command of a boat he was a pilot and in that capacity he had no superior. Besides being actively engaged in steamboating Capt. Rabun took a lively interest in public affairs, keeping posted upon all questions of the day and always working with intelligent force for the cause he espoused and thought right - and, so ruggidly (sic) honest and straightforward was the man that he was nearly always right. The Telegraph and its editor, whose friend he was, sincerely mourns his loss and feelingly offers this simple attestation of his worth and character: A plain, modest, honest and brave gentleman. May he reap the reward that such noble characteristics justly merit and may his long, last sleep be sweet and peaceful. The funeral took place yesterday evening at 2:30 o'clock, the remains being laid to rest in the Hasley Cemetery above Trenton in the presence of many sympathizing friends of the family who knew his worth in life and revere his memory in death. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Note: John M. Rabun married Sarah Catherine Dean in 1859, and they raised their family in Farmerville. He joined the army and served in the 1862 - 1863 Vicksburg campaign, being captured and paroled there in July 1863. As indicated in the obituary, he was a farmer, steamboat pilot, and steamboat captain. He was referred to as "Captain John M. Rabun." In 1885 he served as mayor of Farmerville following the death of Mayor William Poer. He apparently suffered from a recurring illness, for the newspapers of 1885 - 1886 repeatedly refer to his illnesses; the Confederate pension application of his widow indicated that he died of Bright's disease. His sons Marcus W. Rabun and John A. B. Rabun both operated stores in Farmerville in the 1880s. His widow Kate Dean Rabun lived in Farmerville until her death in 1910. We are uncertain of John M. Rabun's middle name. Some sources claim 'Marcus', whereas others state that it was 'Mercer'. ###################################