The Life of John Janes
An Old Citizen Gone.
John Janes, one of the oldest citizens of Olathe, died at Topeka, where he had removed last year, on Monday of this week, and his remains were laid to rest in Olathe cemetery Tuesday forenoon, the funeral services being conducted by Olathe Lodge, No. 19. A. F. & A. M. of which deceased had been a member from its first organization.
Mr. Janes came to Olathe in the years before the war, and made a home for himself and family. He was soon elected sheriff of Johnson county to succeed Capt. Pat. Cosgrove, and made a fearless and vigilant officer in the troubled war times which soon followed. He had many close calls for life in those days when dealing with and following the desperadoes who infested the country in large numbers. In addition to his arduous and exciting duties as sheriff, Mr. Janes was First Lieutenant of Capt. McGinniss'' company of the 13th regiment of Kansas State militia of which Col. J. A. Keeler was commander, A. S. Johnson Lieut.-Colonel and Wm. Roy, adjutant, the regiment being composed entirely of Johnson county men. On account of the age and infirmities of the captain the responsibility for the command and discipline of the Olathe company devolved largely upon Mr. Janes. That he was a wise and courageous officer many of the older citizens of Olathe and vicinity will bear witness.
But few of the younger generation and newcomers to the county knew, when they met the decrepit old man on our streets in the last few years, how much the county was indebted to him for valiant services rendered in the dark days of the rebellion. What Col. Sam Walker was to Douglass county John Janes was to Johnson, though from our exposed condition on the Missouri border his duties were the more dangerous and exacting.
A large concourse of his old friends and neighbors were at the Southern Kansas depot Tuesday to pay their last sad duty of respect to the deceased, and fell in behind members of Olathe Lodge of Masons and followed the remains to their final resting place in Olathe cemetery where they were interred with the beautiful and impressive ceremony of the order of which the deceased had so long been an honored member.
Olathe Mirror
March 16, 1893
Page 3, Col 5
1st Addition, Block 36. Lot 4, W6
