Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-02-01
Obituary.

Hon. John Dempster Thayer, state
senator, who died at his home in War
saw, Monday morning, Jan. %, 1895, re-
sultlng from second stroke of para
lysls, while in the performance of his
senatorial duties, was the son of Rev.
Geo. II. Thayer and Hannah Griffin
Thayer. He was born at Euclid, Onon-
dOga county, n. Y, May q, 1910 He
moved with his parents to Peru, Ind,
in lS47, where he attended school under
the tuition of his father. In 1919 he
moved with the family to Marshall
county. near Bourbon, and worked on
the farm during the summer, and
taught school during the winter. He
then came to Plymouth and lived with
and worked for his brother, Henry q.
Thayer for year. He then attended
the University of Notre Dame, South
Bend. In 1860 he went to Green Castle
where he attended Asbury University
He had excellent opportunities for
storing his mind with valuable in
formation and improved them to the
fullest extent.
On June % 1861, he was united in
marriage with Miss Sarah Erwin, of
Bourbon and to them were born four
children, three daughters and one son,
Mrs. Matte Henda, of Anderson, Miss
Jessie, Miss Matte and Mr.. Henry ID.
Thayer, Of Warsaw.
Mr. Thayer moved with his young
family to Warsaw in the year 1864.
where he has continued in business, and
raised his family up to the time of his
death. He always took great interest in
the growth and welfare of the city he
chose for his home, and at one time
served as member of the board of ed
ucation. He was interested in and be-
came a member, of various social and
charitable societies of the city, such as
the Masonic fraternity, Odd Fellows,
etc., and he became a presiding officer
III each.
In 1872 and again in 1878 he was elect
ed by his fellow citizens to the lower
house Of the legislature Of the state Of
Indiana and made a useful and honor
able representative. In 1892, without
solicitation on his part, he was unani-
mously nominated by his political party
as state senator for KoscluSkO and Wa
bash counties, and elected to fill the
honorable and distinguished position.
While making his last address of the
campaign, he was suddenly stricken
down by a paralytic stroke and was un
able to stand or utter another word.
For several weeks his friends dispaired
of his recovery, but with faithful at
tendance of physicians and nursing he
recovered so far as to attend the session
of the senate, but not able to do the
work, or carry out the plans he so much
desired to do.
During the last two years he so far
partially recovered, that he felt he
would again try and fill his position and
was appointed chairman of one of the
most important committees, and also
on others. In endeavorlng to serve his
friends ana perform his duties, the
strain on his nervous system was so
great that he was again stricken down
almost unaware by his nearest political
friend, and he was brought home to
die, as result of his earnest endeavor
to serve his constituents.
From the time he left the capital city
he was never conscious more than for a
moment. Thus has been cut down an
industrious legislator and useful citizen.
1t is well known that Mr.. Thayer was
devoted friend to all those whose cause
he espoused, and an enemy of no man
who loved the right. He was recog-
nized as a good public speaker and his
voice was always raised in the cause
and betterment of humanity.