JOHN S. WAY GRAVESTONE PHOTO
Independence Daily Reporter, Saturday, December 15, 1917, Pg. 1:
Pioneer Citizen and Old Veteran Passed Away Last Night
Deceased Settled in This City in 1876—Funeral Sunday Afternoon from Family Residence.
John S. Way, a pioneer resident and highly esteemed citizen, passed away yesterday evening at 8:45 at his home, 209 South Eighth street. He was 85 years, 1 month and 14 days old, having been born at Winchester, Randolph county, Indiana, October 31, 1832.
The deceased was a veteran of the civil war in which he made a splendid record as a soldier and officer. He enlisted in July 1861, in Company K, 36th Indiana Volunteer Infantry and was appointed second lieutenant. After serving one year in that company he was promoted to the first lieutenancy of Company C, 69th Indiana Volunteers. He participated in all the engagements of his companies and at Richmond, Kentucky, August 30, 1863, he was wounded in the shoulder. He was mustered out of service in March 1864.
He was united in marriage with Miss Lenora Girton, a native of Boston, at Winchester, Indiana, in November 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Way came to Kansas in 1873, settling on a farm in Scott township, Linn county, where they continued to live until February 18, 1876, when they came to this city and permanently located. Mrs. Way after a long and useful life passed away seven months ago. Since the death of his wife it has been apparent to his friends that Mr. Way was rapidly declining.
After coming to this city Mr. Way for several years worked at his trade as a painter. September 1, 1882 he was appointed county clerk and served for four years. At various times he was connected with the office as an assistant. He served for several years in the city as justice of the peace and was at one time an active member of the city council.
Mr. Way as an upright and honorable citizen, a kind friend and neighbor, and was universally respected and esteemed for his fine qualities as a man. In all the relations of life he performed a noble part.
He is survived by two sons, Ernest and Ellsworth, both living in this city. Four children preceded their parents to the grave, two daughters and two sons.
The funeral will be held from the family residence at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon. He was a member of McPherson Post and the A. O. U. W. and the members of both of these orders will attend the funeral in a body.
South Kansas Tribune, Wednesday, December 19, 1917, Pg. 8:
The well-known John S. Way answered the last summons Friday evening after a journey of eighty-five years and six weeks. He was born in Winchester, Ind., Oct. 31, 1832, when Indiana was young. When the Lincoln call for 75,000 three months men came in 1861 he responded in July and was mustered in K Company in the 36th regiment and was commissioned as lieutenant. After that discharge he again enlisted in what became Company C, 69th regiment, but at Richmond, Ky., Aug. 30, 1863, a rebel bullet in his shoulder sent him to the hospital, and later back home. Late in ’63 and early in ’64, copperheadism was rampant, and the Indiana Legion was raised to protect life and property and enforce law, and J. S. Way was commissioned captain of C Company.
In 1863 in November Mr. Way and Miss Lenora Girton were married, and ten years later came to Kansas, in Linn county for two years and then to Independence. Death came to Mrs. Way last May and her loss and the infirmities of life bore upon him and death came a welcome messenger.
Captain Way was of Quaker faith, and a temperance advocate in the days of the Sons of Temperance, and in Kansas a Good Templar which laid the foundation for the later temperance organizations and in 1880 carrying the state for prohibition. He served the city as councilman and was for improvements and law enforcement. He also served as county clerk and as assistant for years, and with credit.
The funeral Sunday was at the home in charge of the Friends’ pastor of which church Mr. Way was a communicant, and the comrades of the Grand Army and members of the A. O. U. W. officiated in their funeral ritual services. Interment in Mount Hope.
Contributed by Mrs. Maryann Johnson a Civil war
researcher and a volunteer in the Kansas Room of the Independence Public
Library, Independence, Kansas