Elida John deceased. It is right that the lives of the upright should be kept in tender remembrance; and wiht no touch of adulation upon our hearts or pens, we note down some of the occurances in the life of him who has recently passed on.

The subject of this sketch came to IL in advanced life, and here lived measurably retired from the world, yet never ceased to feel a deep interest in his fellow beings and in the affiars of government. Born in 1805, he became acquainted with the hardships of that early day; but notwithstanding the meager chances for instruction in literary perferment, he always ranked among the foremost in intelligence and solid worth. He became a teacher and was always identified as one of the leaders. After marriage he continued teaching and established a school in part of his residence. He was careful that from their infancy his own children should be well taught with the true and able assistance of their mother, to supply them what the rigor of the times denied to him.

When the free-school system was established in PA he was elected a member of the first Board of School Directors in Shamokin Twp. Northumberland County; and there are many who attest to the arduous labor of that faithful Board whose duty it was to divide the large, wooded, hilly township into suitable school districts and to contract for and inspect the building of the many school houses erected at that time. Nearly all of the heavy literary work fellinto the hands of Mr. John. After getting these schools operational he visited them and encouraged both teachers and pupils to the highest attainments, reminding the children especially that they were then enjoying privileges richer than their parents ever knew.

For about 20 years he followed the occupation of surveyor and conveyancer in Northumberland, Columbia, Montour and Schuylkill Counties PA. His reputation for correctness became such that he was often summoned to go long distances to survey disputed lines. Seeing very early the evils of intemperance, there was no other way than to lift voice and influence against this increasing tide of ruin. The jug of whisky at that time was almost always found in the harvest field, but he refused to furnish alcohol in any form to his workmen. His neighbors predicted that he would get no assistance, but, offering a shilling a day more than the common wages, and no whisky, he succeeded in getting a sufficiency of sober hands, and enough more work done and in better condition to fully compensate for the difference in wages. The Board of School Directos were opposed to the temperance movement; one of the members was even a distiller; and when building those schoolhouses this man offered a resolution that no temperance nor abolition meeting should be held in them. The subject of this memoir, knowing himself to be in the minority, so amended the resolution to also exclude singing-schools - a pastime which nearly all of the board greatly enjoyed. He thus defeated the resolution and saved to philanthropy those free school houses. All through his life of 78 years, and often an owner of much grain, he never sold one bushel to a distiller.

Although an old man when he settled here, his business ability was recognized and his fine penmanship graces the pages of public documents in the records of Jordan, as well as the registries in society archives.

Sarah H. John, wife of Mr. John, was born in 1802 of English and Welsh parentage and was the youngest child of Hugh and Mary Hughes. A farm upon the site where has since risen the pleasant and wealthy borough of Kennet Square in Chester Co PA, was the first landed possession of her ancestors in the new world. Her parents settled on the banks of Shamokin Creek in Northumberland Co PA, womewhere about the year 1790. She and her future husband grew to majority in the same neighborhood, and so closely have their lives been blended that in writing the history of one we almost produce that of the other also. Her husband being also appointed Justice of the Peace by the Governor, brought much domestic and other care into her hands, yet an energy and willing spirit smoothed the pathway through rugged difficulties, making theirs a hospitable and pleasant home.

Portraits & Biographical 1885 Pg 639