Sangamon County / Pawnee (John T Drennan Obit): Byrne and Asimov Genealogy and Family Histories

Source Information

Title	Sangamon County / Pawnee (John T Drennan Obit)
Date	Abt Feb 17, 1906
Locality	Personal collection of Hugh Byrne
Page	Unk
Periodical	Unknown
Place	Illinois, USA
Source Type	Newspaper
Source ID	S1267
Text	Sangamon County Pawnee Pawnee, Ill, Feb 16 -- The death of John T Drennan on February 4, 1906 in Fresno, Cal., removes one of the oldest and most worthy citizens of the country. He was the son of William and Margaret Drennan (nee Anderson) and a grandson of William Drennan sr., who was one of the first settlers within the present limits of Sangamon county. Mr. Drennan was born in Ball township, January 13, 1832, where he continued to reside until November, 1895, when he removed to Fresno county, Cal. where he resided until the date of his death. His remains were brought back to Auburn, Ill., and buried in the old Sugar Creek cemetery on February 11, 1906. he is survived by Mrs. J. M. Bennington of Glenarm, Ill., Mrs. B. F. Fletcher of Springfield, Mrs. J. A. Ewing and Mrs. C. I. Pulliam of Fresno, Cal. sisters, and one brother, F. N. Drennan of Butler, Mo. He was a member of the Sugar Creek Cumberland Presbyterian church since 1853 an elder since 1859, and Sunday school superintendent from 1861 until his departure for California in 1895. He was always regarded as humble, earnest and faithful in the discharge of all the duties assigned him. Without a family of his own, his influence upon the youth of the community was helpful and beneficial. His funeral was conducted by the Rev. G. G. Hudson of Decatur, Ill., in the old church of which he was a member so long. Rev Shelton, pastor of the church, spoke of Mr. Drennan as a representative of the local church in presbyteries, synods and general assemblies. N. H. Ingels spoke of him as an elder in the church, and James Canham spoke of him as a Sunday school superintendent. Rev. Mr. Hudson referred to the close relations he and the deceased sustained to each other during his pastorate of eight years. R. H. Ensley, as an old friend and comrade in arms, spoke as follows: "We gather in solemn presence to honor the memory of one we knew and loved and to commit his silent form to the kindred dust of kindly earth. Through our tears we glance over the records of his humble, brave, Christian and useful life. Everywhere he won the respect and friendship of those with whom he associated by the gentleness of his manner and thej purity of his life, always breathing a spirit of patriotism, loyalty and devotion. He belonged to that class that believed that honest toil is honorable. Such is his record a man of gentle nature, kind deeds and high Christian character. One who in his daily living has kept in view the last hour in which he would no doubt desire to say, 'I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith, and am now ready to be offered up' "It is said the story of every human life if rightly told, may be a useful lesson to those whom survive. There are none whose lives teach to us a nobler, a grander, a more profitable lesson that the life of this man. He had a kindly heart and open hand, which prompted him to many acts of generous aid to the needy and distressed and will live in greatful memory of many for his generous sympathy. Honored and beloved by all who knew him, a life of self-sacrifice, of devotion, brave actions and kindly deeds. All these blighted and blackened by the dread shadows of the Angel of Death. "On the death of a man some ask: 'What property does he leave?' 'Was he rich?' The more important this is, 'What are the good deeds?' He was rich in many ways. A large, comprehensive soul, a heart filled with love and sympathy for those about him: earnest, patriotic and loving. A man the people loved and trusted. When the country was in terrible danger and distress he went boldly forth under the grand old flag, to do and to dare for her honor and in support of the constitution and law of the land, and to save from disruption and dismemberment this grand nation of ours. Serving in the Army of the Cumberland, part of the time under the gallant and intrepid Sheridan, having been through the fierce battle of Perryville and the bloody battle of Stone River, seeing service on the rock Tennessee, treading the mountain passes, and at last meeting the enemy on the dreaded field of Chicamauga, where Bagg and Longstreet hurled their veterans upon our army and rent in twain the badly handled part of our army. It was there, trying to resist their onslaught that he fell, wounded and lay there, bled and suffered, and finally was taken prisoner. From this wound he always suffered. "But his useful life was not to end there. There was more service to his country his neighbors, his friends, his relations and comrades, to be rendered. And we that know him best know how grandly and nobly he performed them. His services are those that reflect unfading luster on the American volunteer. The snows of winter and flowers of summer may come and go, and he will heed it not. A comrade, a Christian, ad good man, a kind neighbor and a dear friend is gone. May the trees bud, grass grow green and the flowers bloom fragrantly about his resting place until the great 'Resurrection day.' Until then, dear friends, until then, farewell" At the conclusion fo Mr. Easley's remarks the remains were borne from the church to the cemetery near by with six old comrades as pallbearers. There he was laid to rest with the regular services of the G. A. R. post of which he was a faithful member.
Linked to (5)	DRENNAN, Francis Newton DRENNAN, Mary Elizabeth DRENNAN, Nancy DRENNAN, Rebecca FLETCHER, Benjamin F

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