Jesse Gustin Passed Away.

Jesse Gustin, one of the oldest citizens of Lebanon, died suddenly Sunday afternoon September 25th at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. D. H. Bain, on Broadway, in the 87th year of his age. The funeral was held the following Tuesday at 10:30 a. m. conducted by Rev. Gowdy.

Jesse Gustin was the eldest son of Benejah Gustin and wife who were among the first settlers of Warren county, and was born near Red Lion, O. June 4th, 1824.

He was brought up on a farm and followed the occupation of farming for forty years. He moved from the country to Lebanon in 1876 and was engaged for six years in the grocery business.

He had the confidence of the people to the extent that hey elected him ten times to different township offices. He was a justice of the peace in Clearcreek township and was twice elected decennial land appraiser in Turtlecreek township.

His parents were devout Christians and taught him to read the Bible. At the age of 22 he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and was an active member for 25 years.

He was married to Phoebe A. Hathaway October 18th, 1847 and together they happily lived for more than 55 years, having celebrated their golden wedding nearly thirteen years ago. Four children were born to them, three sons and one daughter. Two of the sons, M. E. Gustin and R. M. Gustin and the daughter, Mrs. Jennie Bain still survive. One son, Granville, died in 1879. Mrs. Gustin died February 23, 1903, just two days before the 81st anniversary of her birth.

Jesse Gustin spent all of his life in Warren county, 56 years at Red Lion and 36 years at Lebanon.

He is survived by one brother, Rev. Morris Gustin, now residing in California and another Levi N. Gustin of Waynesville and one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Comer living at Anderson, Ind.

Born in the first quarter of the 19th century, Jesse Gustin’s span of life covered a period of unprecedented progress and one crowded with some of the most stirring events in the Nation’s history.

Although not a soldier himself on account of his physical weakness, he gave much time in aiding the Union cause and assisting soldiers’ families.

His education was limited by the few opportunities afforded a boy of his time to gain knowledge. Being the eldest son of one of the pioneer families of Warren county, his boyhood days were spent in work and not in school. He, however, became a great reader of the Bible and other books and spent much time in his latter days in reviewing his favorite volumes.

He met the vicissitudes of a long life with a strong and willing spirit to do his full duty as he saw it under all circumstances. Through sunshine and shadow in prosperity and adversity his courage dominated every impulse. He was a man of the strictest honesty and integrity.

As a citizen he was upright and honorable. He believed in the elevation of mankind and all his influence was on the side of morality and good citizenship. He believed in the sacredness of home which was to him a haven of rest and peaceful enjoyment. He was a kind father and husband. As a friend he was sincere and steadfast.

After life’s fitful fever, he now sleeps in the Lebanon cemetery by the side of his companion from whom he was separated by death a little more than seven years ago.

Source: unidentified 1910 Newspaper [copy obtained from obituary collection at the Warren County Genealogical Society]