John Ice was born near Circleville, Piqua county, O., January 8th, 1832; died of pulmonary consumption September 29th, 1885, aged 53 years, 8 months and 21 days. Was married to Harriet E. Owens Sept. 2d, 1860, and unto these parents were born seven children, six are still living to mourn the loss of a loved father. When organized treason hurled defiance at the government and the call for its preservation was made by arms he was among the willing ones to respond; he entered the service for the preservation of the great union, and was a member of the 169th Ohio National Guard. It was not his fate to fall on the red field of battle, neither when the wild wail of defeat was heard or the thrilling cry of victory was born along the line he survived it all, and in the calm retirement of a pleasant and peaceful home surrounded by friends who knew and loved him, he peacefully breathed his last. As a soldier and citizen, he was beloved by all who knew him. Religiously he was not a member of a church, but believing in an all wise and just creator, believing that love would do more to save mankind than fear. He died as he lived, fearing naught in the future. He tried to have all cheerful around him, and always had a kind word for his children. A father's welcome was always given. It was indeed hard to part with one that was so kind, but the family and home have been wrecked, and may be rebuilt in heaven. Calmly and quietly the sun of his life went down, and with him the battle of life is over; to him has come the eternal Sabbath. His funeral took place at the M,.E. Church at Florida, Ohio, the Rev. Barren officiating. His body was conveyed by a large concourse of sympathizing friends and neighbors to the cemetery, two miles northeast of Florida.

Darkly now the shadows gather
Round my heart and in my home,
For our kind and loving father
Sleeps within the cold, cold tomb.

J. W.