OBIT:  JONES, John H.; 1864; Cambria Twp., Cambria Cnty., PA

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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!"