| June 9, 1916 PIONEER CITIZEN.
Following a brief illness, J. E. C. Easterly, veteran and well known citizen and retired farmer, passed away at his home on Parker street in this city at 12:15 o'clock Tuesday, May 23, aged 81 years, 11 months and 4 days. For a long time deceased had been in poor health and had suffered from chronic dysentery since his days as soldier boy at the front. On Monday he was taken with a sinking spell, being subject to these attacks for years, and from the time of this attack he grew rapidly worse and the end came the next day.
John Emory Clark Easterly was born June 19, 1834, at Castlewood, Russell county, Va., and grew into manhood on the farm. He was the son of Christian Easterly, a physician and preacher. In the latter capacity the elder Easterly preached at the Indian mission in Hamilton county, now known as Missionary Ridge. Dr. Easterly was also a member of the Holston conference. In the family of the subject of this sketch there were two sons and one sister, but after the death of his first wife Dr. Easterly married again in this family there were two brothers and a sister.
Probably with a desire to follow in the footsteps of his father, J. E. C. Easterly attended Emory and Henry college two years and then began on a line of special study preparatory to taking up a regular course in medicine. It was his desire to enter a medical college in Richmond but the necessities of the family, probably, prevented this. At any rate he gave up the idea of studying medicine and remained on the farm. This vocation he followed first in Virginia and later in the county, until he retired to a less active life about ten years ago, since which time he had resided in this city.
When the war broke out the subject of this sketch offered his services to the state of Virginia. His company was a member of the Seventh Confederate battallion, Gitner's brigade, Echol's division. When Lee surrendered his command was located near Roanoke, Va., and this too, gave up the fight. At that time Mr. Easterly had rise to the position of lieutenant captain. He participated in the battle of New River and several others in the Virginia campaign. His younger brother, Nathan W., was killed in the Seven Days' battle. With the death of our subject, but one other member of his company, S. K. Gibson, of Russell county, Va., remains.
On May 20, 1858, Mr. Easterly was married for the first time, and of this union the following sons and daughters survive: Nathan W., of Lebanon, Va., Frank E., of Hansonville, Va., W. A., of this city, Mrs. W. T. Kelly, of McDonald and Mrs. N. H. Gilmer, of Castlewood, Va. His first wife having died, Mr. Easterly was again married May 23, 1881, his death occurring on the 35th anniversary of his second marriage. Of this union the widow and following children survive: Mrs. W. E. Gray, of Black Fox, Miss Jessie, of this city, Mrs. F. A. Sloan, of Flint Springs and Shannon and Fitzhugh of this city.
From early manhood deceased was a member of the Southern Methodist church. He was also a member of John D. Traynor camp, Confederate veterans, and as long as he was able attended the regular services of his church and the meetings of his comrades in arms.
The funeral was held at 10 o'clock Thursday at the Southern Methodist church, Dr. W. S. Neighbors and Rev. J. L. Browning officiating. The pall bearers were R. H. Hawk, Geo. Hain, J. M. Bennett, W. B. Rucker, I. C. Wooften and Isaac Hall. The remains were reverently laid to rest in Fort Hill cemetery. The obseques were largely attended by old friends and neighbors who thereby attested to the high esteem in which the deceased was held. - Cleveland (Tenn.,) Journal and Banner.
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