JOHN CHRISLY STAKELY


     "Monroe County lost her oldest citizen on last Saturday morning, February 11, 1911,
when Mr. John C. Stakely quietly passed away at his home six miles south of Madisonville.  Until
his last illness, which was of short duration, he possessed remarkable strength of body and mind
for one so near the century mark.
     He was buried at 2:00 P.M. on February 12, 1911, at Hickory Grove.  The funeral
services being conducted at the Church by Rev. W. R. Haun and assisted by Mr. Frank Sitzler and
Revs. H. H. Teague and J. M. Smith.

     John C. Stakely was always a man of strong and clear mind.  He fully retained all of his
mental faculties until the last moment.  The luster of his great mind was never dimmed in all his 95
years, 3 month and 22 days.
     He was born October 20, 1815, in Hawkins County, Tennessee, and came to Madisonville
in 1836.  On May 28, 1839, he was married to Jane Morrow, daughter of Esquire John Morrow
of Madisonville, Rev. Lewis Carter officiating.  He resided in Madisonville until 1854, when he
moved to his late home.

     His wife died New Years Day, 1883.  They were the parents of 11 children:  Willie, Mary
A., Bettie, Louisa, Rufus, James, Emmons, Artie, Andrew, Thomas and Georgia A..  Of these,
Willie, Rufus, James, Emmons and Thomas are dead.  Georgia A. is the youngest.  John C.
Stakely lived a long, useful and unselfish life.
     He had lived under every U. S. President, except three.  He was of pure German decent, a
faithful, law-abiding citizen, loved and honored by all who knew him.  He died surrounded by the
entire community, who ministered to him and who, when his last breath departed, followed as a
large assemblage to his last earthly resting place.

     The sympathy of our readers will go out, particularly to Georgia A. Stakely, who is always
so ready to sympathize with any that are bereaved.  He has lost not only a beloved father, but a
companion as well."

From the Monroe Co., TN paper, "Democrat" written by Georgia A. Stakely.
Copy of text supplied by Elsie (Harder) Stakely.

Todd Reeves     epoch1@bellsouth.net
1996