General Notes

BIOGRAPHY: Rockville Tribune 4-15-1886: “John C. Blue will please accept our hearty congratulations on his success at the late election. John will make a No. 1 officer."
DEATH: Rockville Tribune, June 9, 1892 – “John C. BLUE was born at Montezuma, June 13, 1860, died May 31, 1892, aged 31 years, 11 months, 18 days.  His death produced such a shock as this community has not known for many a day. To have one in the very prime of manhood and in good health so suddenly taken from a community by the hand of death is sad in the extreme. The sad event which caused his death took place about 8 o’clock Tuesday evening, May 31. He and Arthur Machin were trying to corner and catch a colt which they wished to turn across the road into a pasture. The colt ran in with some other horses in the lot, and as John followed it one of the horses kicked at the colt, and hit John. The boy notified those of the family who were at home, and then hastened for assistance. It is doubtful if he was ever conscious after he was hurt. He spoke two or three times when questioned by the women while his brother Thomas and little Arthur Machin were gone for help, but he never spoke after the doctors arrived. He lingered in unconsciousness until about 11 o’clock, when he died.  John was a young man of sterling worth. He was employed by the heirs, his brothers and sisters, to run the homestead farm, and was head of the family. His death will be a heavy blow to them, and his loss keenly felt by his friends and neighbors. No man in this community is more highly respected than was John Blue, and no one has more friends than he had. Like his brothers and sisters who are left to mourn him, John was kind hearted, sociable, and always ready to accommodate a neighbor. He was honest, industrious and enterprising, willing to take hold and help build up the business of the town and vicinity.  Funeral services wee conducted at the M. E. Church, by Rev. Grimes, assisted by the Revs. Griffith and Rippetoe. The funeral procession, which was one of the largest ever known in this locality, certainly indicates that the deceased was held in high regard. The body was interred at Oakland Cemetery. The family has the deep and sincere sympathy of the entire community.          B. A. Ogden”