OBIT: JONES, John H.; 1864; Cambria Twp., Cambria Cnty., PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich millich84@hotmail.com Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ The Alleghanian Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, 25 Feb 1864 Volume 5, Number 22 John H. Jones, Dec'd. (Communicated) Our beloved friend and brother, John H. Jones, dec'd., was too well known in our midst to need any introduction or any apology for commending a Christian life so interesting, endearing and so variegated. He was born in Cambria township, Cambria county, August 16, 1836 and was the son of Mr. Daniel Jones and Mrs. Margaret Jones (now Mrs. William). He was received a member of the Congregational church of Ebensburg in 1848, when he was eleven years of age. In September, 1853 he entered Jefferson College, Canonsburg, where for two years he continued studying assiduously. In the fall of 1858 he went to Oberlin College, Ohio, in which connection he continued until his death except during the noted interval, in September, 1862, when Cincinnati was threatened by the rebels when he enlisted in the C. V. M. After his company had been disbanded, he still felt a desire to do something for his country and engaged as a nurse in a hospital in that city where for a year he gave faithful and untiring attention to the spiritual as well as temporal wants of sick and wounded soldiers. On returning to College, thereafter, he found his health rapidly declining. His old disease, fever, took a still stronger hold on him, so his physician peremptorily advised him to leave school at once and go home. This he attempted to do but on his way hither from Pittsburg, the burning fever again seized him, and becoming bewildered therefrom, he knew not where to stop off and hence was taken on to Philadelphia. There, providentially, he was immediately found by his cousin, Mr. Ezekiel Hughes, but in spite of medical skill and careful attention he died October 2, 1863, in the 27th year of his age. The following day his mortal remains were conveyed hither and on the 4th consigned to the tomb. Notwithstanding the abundant material furnished for a complete memoir, in this form we can give but a brief sketch of his life. He was most devoted in the service of his Master. With all his insatiable thirst for reading and knowledge, his Bible was still his best friend and companion, from childhood up, whether at home, in college or during his voyage across the ocean. While in Africa, in 1856- 7, his heart yearned toward the poor benighted heathen he found there and he then and there formed a resolution which was never changed, to devote his life to the labor of a missionary. On his return home and during his subsequent stay in college, his chief and only study seemed to be to fit himself for the high and noble calling of a missionary. As he lived, he died; he died in the triumphs of faith. A short time before he ceased to breathe, his mother asked him whether he still loved Jesus. He looked into her face and with a heavenly smile said, "Oh, yes, mother, I do; and I shall soon be with Him, and see Him as He is!"