A Resolution of Respect : John Preston Metzner (1872-1900)

More newspaper research led me to additional information regarding cousin John Preston Metzner (1872-1900), whom I've written about previously.  Seems that he was well regarded by those in his church, who published the following declaration:

Resolutions of Respect

Resolutions of respect adopted by Emanuel Union Sabbath school.

 We, your committee, appointed to prepare a tribute of respect to the memory of Preston Metzner, our dear beloved brother, who departed this life April 6, 1900, after an illness of nine months of unspeakable suffering, but which he bore with that humble submission of "God's will, not mine, be done"

Whereas, God in his infinite wisdom has seen fit to call from labor to reward, our brother, Preston Metzner, and,

 Whereas, from mutual and personal acquaintance, we mourn the loss of our brother and co-worker of the Emanuel Union Sunday school, in the great harvest of life; therefore be it, 

Resolved, That while we bow in humble submission to the decree of divine providence, we deeply and sincerely mourn our loss and shall endeavor to cherish him in our memory.

Resolved, That we extend to his family and friends our tenderest sympathy, and with them, mingle our tears of sorrow over this sad event which has deprived them of a son, brother and friend, and us of a faithful member.

Resolved that we sorrow not as those who are without hope, for the hand that has broken can bind.

Resolved, That these resolutions be placed in full upon the minutes of our Sunday school.  A copy be presented to the bereaved family, and also a copy be sent to the county papers for publication.

Peace to his ashes! Consolation to his friends and loved ones! And may sweet memories ever linger around the memories of Preston Metzner.

Respectfully submitted : Estella Prillaman, Nora Stoltz, Wm. Prillaman, Isaiah Weisel, committee.

Portland Semi-Weekly Sun,
Portland, Indiana,
May 4, 1900, page 3

Surname Saturday : Bonnell

The BONNELL surname is in my paternal line.  The origins are likely English, and this particular line was of the Quaker faith.

Stories and history :

Ahnentafel # 573 : Hannah Bonnell (   -1754).  Hannah's birth date is not known.  She married Jeremiah Haines (1713-1774) on September 6, 1736 in Burlington County, New Jersey. Jeremiah was born March 25, 1713 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  They raised 7 children in Burlington County.  Jeremiah died October 30, 1774 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Hannah died August 15, 1754 in Burlington County, New Jersey.

Ahnentafel # 1146 : Robert Bonnell (1675-   ).  Robert was born in 1675.  He married Frances Goodwin (   -1750) on October 16, 1707 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Frances' birth date is unknown. They had at least 3 children.  Frances died 1750 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Alex man was on Oklahoma at Pearl

[This post originally appeared on this blog December 7, 2008.  In memory of the Pearl Harbor attack, I'm re-posting]

Source : Anderson Herald-Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana, Sunday, December 8, 1991.

Alex man was on Oklahoma at Pearl by Jim Bannon.

When we put together our special Pearl Harbor anniversary section recently, we contacted some people in this area who were survivors of the attack.

Another survivor turned up later, and even though we couldn't get his story in the Pearl Harbor section, I thought it deserved telling.

John M. High is 72 years old now and lives in Alexandria. On the morning of December 7, 1941, he was a ship's cook first class serving on the battleship U.S.S. Oklahoma, anchored along battleship row at Pearl Harbor.

High has been in bad health recently, suffering two heart attacks and a stroke and his story was told to me by his son, Charles, of Anderson, who works at Delco Remy.

When the attack came, High was in his bunk, since he had just come off night watch.

The Oklahoma was hit hard. It caught fire and, though it did not sink, it rolled over. Many on board lost their lives.

John High managed to get from below deck to the main deck. Smoke and fire were everywhere. He jumped over the rail and swam through burning oil to safety.

His son says the one story that sticks out in his mind that his father tells of that day is the one about a Catholic priest. It seems several men on the ship were trapped by flames and the only way out was through a porthole.

The priest, a portly man, helped push 12 men through that porthole to safety. But when he tried to get through he got stuck and drowned when the ship capsized. "He saved those 12 men but he couldn't save himself," the younger High said.

He said his father never talked much about Pearl Harbor and World War II. He talked more about it after he had his first heart attack, Charles High said.

A twist on High's story was that his parents were notified their son was missing in action. High was from Rowesburg, W. Va. The message they received read: "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son, John M. High, is missing following action in the service of his country."

The message added that to prevent any possible aid to the enemy, the parents should not divulge the name of the ship he served on or where it was stationed.

Then on Jan. 2, 1942, his parents got the wonderful news that John was, indeed, safe. John High went on to serve the rest of World War II with the Navy in the Pacific, serving on several different ships.

He went almost nine years without seeing his parents, from 1936 to 1945.

How did he get to Alexandria? He met his wife while in the Navy. She was from Alex and when the war ended they settled there. High worked at Pierce Governor in Anderson for awhile and then joined Haynes Stellite Corp. inKokomo. He retired from Cabot Corp. (which bought Haynes) in Kokomo.

"My father is a very patriotic person," Charles High said, "He has a great love for his country."

Source: NARA Record Group 331, Muster Rolls of Ships based at Pearl Harbor, 1939-47, Oklahoma, BB 37, Muster Roll, 1941, June 30, image on-line at Footnote.com

[John M. High married my maternal great-aunt, Clara Ellen Wright- TJL]