Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-02-12
Written for the Ledger.
JOHN d. CROCKETT.

Ii
r .sBlessed are they that die in the
Lore. Bible. /.
Samuel Crockett, father Of the subject
Of this sketch, was a native OF Virginia
and a relative of the renowned Davy
Crockett. Emigrating westward with the
tide of hardy pioneers that followed in
the footprints of Daniel Boone, he settled
within the limits of the present state OF
Tennessee, where, iu lsl7, john d,
Crockett was born. When Samuel Crock
ett struck out from Richmond, Va, and
penetrated the wild interior with his OK
team, and reared his log cabin, laid his
puncheop floors and hung his rude doors,
he little thought that he would help
found two states that would bless the
world In their contributions to the union,
to liberty and the common veal. But
such was the case. After helping hew
out the way, and smooth down the rousn
places that prepared Tennessee for
niche in the sisterhood OF states, ne once
more with the "tide Of empires" took ms
7, way westward, settling this time in
Boone county, Mo-, in 1919. He saw the
country In all its wiidness and vicissitudes
and it can be truthfully said, CHE helped
to found the State" Shortly after his
arrival in Boone, there being no mill con-
venieut to the community, he erected one
and for wears ground the neighborhood
"grist," for accommodation, taking no
toll whatever, which goes to prove his
generous manhood.
1 John ID. Crockett inherited his fathers
sterling qualities of head and heart and
grew up to be an exemplary youth. he
professed religion at camp meeting heid
on Hinkston Creek in 1881, at the age OF
IA, and shortly afterwards identified him.
self with the Cumberland Presbyterian
church In January, 1874, he was united
in marriage with Mary A., daughter OF
, Abraham Pool-a union that was fraught
with blessings and happiness. In the
} spring of ls45 he moved to Audrain and
7 located on Youug's Creek, where he resi-
t ded at the time of his decease. Although
he was not blessed with the opportunities
! of an education, us are the youths OF tht
present generation, he was, nevertheless
one Of the few faithful men, who, with
robust courage in his soul, hewed ou
e and paved the way in trial and toll 10
q men of letters, and laid the toundatiol
n for schools and colleges, and a system o
free schools and liberal education tina
has attracted attention wherever tn
= English language is spoken and read, an
e wherever Christian civilization has mad
e it's Journey with the sun. Comm
If to Audrain before churches and school
houses had made their appearance an
when ministers and schoolmasters Wer
s. scarce, he walked with courage and fait
le over the rough places and smoothed thel
n. down, thus leveling the way lor the &C
- vance and perfection of all that is GOO
and great in modern advancement. Jof
> Crockett's life was one of charity al
ar benevolence, and his heart ever prompts
i'll him to lend a helping hand to sutteril
ns humanity. The needy found him OPP
IT, hearted and open handed. He was mi
in whom there was no guile-no hypocl
sy. A man of peace, who detested sha,
's' and humbugs; who did not believe In
he gaudy exterior; who never had an en-
rs, my. He enjoyed an enviable reputati
nal for honesty; his word was ever taken
- par. He would suffer wrong rather tn
he contentious He was dutious hu
'ps band, loving father and kind nelghb'
az But if any one trait of his character OF
the shone the other it was his deep religic
es- convictions. He demonstrated by
80. daily walk and conversation the reality
"a. the religion of Jesus Christ. For
''' wears he was a God-fearing and Gt
serving man. He ever let his light
ave shine that though dead, yet he still IL
nth in the esteem and affection OF all '
+ il knew him. He practiced religion
os deeds as well as prayer-a religion
>, insured three feet to the yard, sixt
''e ounces to the pound. A religion
pre- would recognize the subjects OF pow
, OF a. we'll as those of affluence, rellglon
would scatter blessings with ho
,,ob hand. HIS life teeming good deeds
honest purpose deserves need OF pr
" human pen will fail to reach. By ear
o"h application, he dus from the soil a c
,me- Portable estate 1t came as the LEI
If q mate result of laborious and lndu
ould Gus life, 1t was, hence, deserving
o;o, ward for his diligence, recompense
years of faithful effort. 1t is said Tn
mans death is picture OF his
well Then what grand life must John Cr
egu- ett have lived. During his last ILL
DR. which extended over a period OF
ond months, he was submitted to tel
Go, crucible of pain of human conflict
him let it be said, that the world Is 3
'la' for his having lived in it.
e ac- In his death the county looses al
same and upright citizen, society an orna
State morality champion, education II
o,oss Christianity Jealous advocate, MS
a loving husband, parent and coun
q ''o To his fms we can appropriated.
mas Longfellow's beautiful words
1t adj $50 when good man dies
For years beyond our ken;
The light he leaves behind MIN lies
of an Upen the paths of men,"
sho u.