John Bell Pettit b 9/10/1846-d 9/11/1924
Civil War veteran, enlisted in the Union Army at Knoxville, 8/20/1863
honorably discharged 8/6/1865, husband of Nancy Summer, m: 11/28/1873 ,2nd marriage, Mrs. Malinda Honeycutt
“PETTIT:John Bell”, a Civil War veteran aged 78 years, died suddenly at his home here Thursday morning. Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed. [Morgan County Press, 9/12/1924, Vol. 7, No. 8] J. B. –was born Sept. 10th, 1846. He spent his life here in Morgan County as a loyal citizen was a member of the Baptist Church and took an active part in same, was a man of his word in the dealings with the world. While he did amass any great fortune, he was thrifty and worked diligently to maintain a comfortable home where his friends were at all times welcome. He enlisted in the Union Army at Knoxville, Aug. 20, 1863 and was honorably discharged, Aug. 6, 1865. He married Miss Nancy SUMMER 11/28/1873 who died some years later. Afterwards, he was married to Mrs. Malinda HONEYCUTT”, who survives. There were no children born to either marriage. Mrs. Gauible POWELL, J. M. PETITT, G. A. PETITT and Misses Ollie and Louise PETITT of this place, children of his twin brother, Gustavas PETITT, are his nearest and only relatives in this vicinity. He will be sadly missed by his host of friends in and around Wartburg as he kept himself well posted on all the issues pertaining to the welfare of his home and country. “Uncle John” as most of his friends would choose to call him, had been a strong man in will but affected in body having been a cripple for years. About 8 years he fell and broke his hip and was almost a helpless invalid for three years, but by his determination to walk he so perseveringly made the effort that he could again go about without crutches. He had worked in his little crop the day before his death, went to bed and rested well, but the next morning when his wife tried to wake him, found that he was dead—Sept. 11, 1924, age 78 years and one day. But in death when looking on his body we were reminded of a sturdy oak that had stood the storms of many years. Though taken by the power of a Righteous God, there is Victory in the death of His children. “A down the path, in evening’s glow, The tottering ranks are passing now, The veterans corps is moving slow, For time has touched each wrinkled brow.” [Morgan County Press, 10/24/1924, Vol. 7, No. 14]