Obituary of John Laird of Lanark, IL - Son of Joseph C. Laird

Lanark Gazetteer, week of January 24th 1892.

Death Record

Mr. John Laird, a pioneer of Carroll County succumbs to the grip.

The grip has added another victim to its already long list in the person of Mr. John Laird the aged father of the publisher of this paper, who passed peacefully away after a week's illness, on Thursday morning, January 21, 1892 at the age of 74 years, 7 months, and 21 days.

BIOGRAPHICAL
John Laird was born June 8, 1817, and was a native of Clark county Ohio. He was the seventh of eight children born to Joseph and Ellen Laird, who were born in Scotland and settled in this country (United States) shortly before the birth of the subject of this sketch.
It was in 1838* that the pioneer Scotch family continued their westward journey settling in Freedom township, Carroll county. Here they suffered all the privations that fell to the lot of the early settler. Galena and Chicago were almost their only markets for years. Here Mr. Laird (John) helped to transform the wild prairie into productive farms. In 1842 he was married to Miss Elizabeth B. Beatty, who survived only six years. He continued to reside in Freedom township and in 1849 was again married, this time to Miss Christina Eshelman, who survives him. Mr. Laird was the father of eight children, four of whom, William R., Mary E., Sarah A., and Abram, have preceded their father to that other shore. Of the others, John E., Amelia and Joseph reside at home and James M. is married and lives at Superior, Nebraska.
Though Mr. Laird was little known in public affairs, his integrity, honor and industry made for him an enviable reputation among his neighbors among whom he numbered many friends. He was a good financier and by industry and frugality amassed a competency with which to keep him and his good wife in their declining years. Although he was not a member of any religious organization until three years ago when he joined the Brethren church it would be difficult to say when he became a Christian as his whole life seemed to be ordered according to the Golden Rule. Though he took no active interest in politics he was a patriotic citizen and fulfilled his duty to the government by voting for what he believed to be her best interests. He was Republican in his principles and voted for William Henry Harrison in 1840 and Benjamin Harrison in 1888.
In 1874 Mr. Laird retired from active work on the farm and moved to Lanark to enjoy the fruits of his early labors in peace and quietness. Here he led an uneventful but happy life. Eight years ago he became afflicted with what his physicians called rheumatism of the nerves and paralysis. At first only his right hand and arm were effected. In the course of years the disease spread to all parts of his system making him almost helpless. However he retained his mental vigor until the last few days of his fatal illness when at times his mind wandered. His appetite, too, was usually good and notwithstanding his almost helpless condition, but for an attack of the grip he might have enjoyed a much longer lease of life.
During all those years of helplessness and suffering the deceased displayed rare patience and sweetness of temper and his wise counsel and genial presence will be sadly missed in the bereaved household. Seldom indeed does a father keep his children about him for so long a time as the deceased has kept some of his children. During all their life they were never separated more than a month at a time and these separations were of infrequent occurrence. Thus there was a bond grew up between them which was something more than the simple relationship of parent and child. And now that he has gone to his eternal rest a great prop has been removed and the loss is twofold, that of a comrade and friend and a parent.
The funeral which was held Saturday, January 23rd at the family residence was conducted by Rev. David Rowland; assisted by Rev. Frank H. Gardner. A large number of the old friends and neighbors followed the mortal remains to their last resting place in Lanark's beautiful cemetery.


*Note: All other sources say 1837.