Decatur County Journal Leon, Iowa Thursday, November 2, 1911 JOHN JACOB SEARS was born in Macoupin County, Illinois, July 9, 1833, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. VERN E. KIER, near Leon, Iowa, on Sunday, October 22, 1911, being at the time of his death 78 years, 3 months and 13 days of age. He was the third son of DANIEL and ELIZABETH MARTIN SEARS, former residents of this county. In 1836, he immigrated with his parents to Jefferson County Iowa, settling on a farm near Fairfield where he grew to manhood. He was married to MARY JANE PHILLIPS, of the same county on the 16th day of November, 1862. In 1866, with his wife and one child, he removed to Decatur County and settled in Center Township where he resided continuously for 28 years. In 1864 he changed his residence to High Point Township and again in the spring of 1901 to Decatur Township where he resided until the death of his wife in March, 1909, since which time he has made his home with his children. He was the father of eight children two of whom have preceded him to the spirit world. The remaining six are: LEWIS, of High Point Township; BENY T., Mrs. H.L. COONTZ and Mrs. VERN E. KIER, of Center Township; Mrs. W S. SNYDER, of Swift Current, Canada; and GROVER C., of Great Falls, Montana. Besides his children he also leaves an aged sister, Mrs. MARY J. CARTER and one brother, SAMUEL V. SEARS, of Taylor, Neb., also six grandchildren, a host of relatives and friends to mourn their loss. He with his wife united with the Church of the Brethren about 1867, in which faith they remained and constantly labored in the cause of the Master until they heard that welcome call "Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Funeral services were held at the Franklin Church on Friday, October 27, conducted by Elder Abraham Wolfe, of Udell, Iowa. Interment in the adjoining cemetery. ----------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert December 8, 2009 [email protected]