JACOB GILBERT WORTMAN             GRAVESTONE PHOTO                      

Elk City Enterprise, Friday, October 12, 1900, pg.. 1

Date of Death:  October 10, 1900

JACOB G. WORTMAN, DEAD.

  About one o’clock on Wednesday of this week Jacob G. Wortman, father of the publishers of this paper, died at his home in this city.  He had been seriously ill for several months from a complication of diseases, and for many years has been a semi-invalid.  In fact, our earliest recollection of him is of a patient and uncomplaining sufferer who bravely performed the labor his hands found to do, where others of less courage would have given up the struggle or fainted by the wayside.  Always uncomplaining and unselfish, his was a life of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others.  No task was too heavy for him to undertake if others’ labors were lightened thereby.  He was intensely loyal to his family, his friends, and his country, and above everything despised hypocrisy and disloyalty.

  Three of the best years of his life were given to his country.  When the call came in ’62 he enlisted in the 96th Ohio and passed through the thickest of the war.  Few regiments in the service suffered heavier than his.  It crossed the river at Cincinnati going South more than a thousand strong, and recrossed it three years later with a remnant of less than three hundred, notwithstanding it had been recruited at various times.  It also traveled more miles than any other regiment, with two exceptions, and during its eventful and bloody career he was never off duty an hour.

  The following brief account was handed us by the ministers:

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J. G. WORTMAN.

  Jacob Gilbert Wortman was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, October 23, 1835.  He died October 10th, 1900, aged nearly 65 years.  About 1 p.m., God laid His hand upon him and he fell asleep like a babe in it’s mother’s arms.  He was married April 28th, 1861, to Miss Harriet L. Warwick.  To this union were born four children, two sons and two daughters—William and Wayne, who live in this city, Mrs. O. D. Wright, who lives near this city, and Mrs. E. J. Castillo, who lives in Cherryvale.

  While in Ohio, about twenty-five years ago, he was converted and united with the M. E. Church.  When he came to Kansas, in 1884, he brought his church certificate with him and joined that church here in Elk City.

  Mr. Wortman’s life has been an eventful one, teeming with rare experiences and opportunities.  While a boy of 8 years his mother died, and thus he saw the peculiar hardships of a motherless boy.  When the war broke out and when the country was deluged in blood, Brother Wortman enlisted for 3 years or till the close of the war.  He was a member of Co. E, 96th Ohio Vol. Infantry, and served faithfully during these years.  While in the army he contracted trouble with his stomach which malady has made him a great sufferer since the service.  In the midst of all his pain he was patient, uncomplaining and cheerful.

  The funeral services were conducted at the house Thursday, afternoon at 2 o’clock, by Rev. Kauffman.  Bro. E. D. Leasure also made a short but appropriate talk.

  The funeral was under the auspices of the G. A. R. of which he was a life member, and after the short and simple service of the order at the cemetery he was laid to rest.

  To the bereaved loved ones and friends is extended the most profound sympathy.   May God bless them.

                                                                                                                                       REV. M. H. KAUFMAN,

                                                                                                                                       REV. B. M. POWELL.