14 June 1906: Major John W. Mish died shortly after midnight this morning of senile debility, at his home, 9 South Ninth Street, Market Square. Death came peacefully as he slept with the members of his family watching at the bedside. In his eighty-fifth year, Mr. Mish had been in failing health for some years, and his rapid decline became marked two years ago. It was known for several months that the end was not far off, and four weeks ago his strength failed him entirely, requiring him to remain in bed. Daily his condition grew weaker, and on Wednesday the family was informed by Dr. A. B. Gloninger, the attending physician, that the end was near, as the patient could not live twenty-four hours. Mr. Mish was conscious till he passed into the sleep from which he did not again, awake. He knew death was close at hand, and cheerfully awaited the final summons. Maj. Mish was one of Lebanon's oldest and most prominent citizens. Springing from sturdy stock, he manifested an active interest in public affairs and became a leader in matters identified with the advancement of his native town. For a long period of time he continued in the work, serving in many capacities with distinction, and only when the weight of years warned him to desist did he cease his activities and live a retired life. Maj. Mish was widely known, and his death is a matter of regret to many. No arrangements for the funeral have been made as yet. John Weidman Mish was born in Lebanon, April 22, 1822, in the stone mansion on Ninth Street, now the Hartman house. His father was Dr. John Bickel Mish, and his mother Maria, a daughter of Capt. John Weidman, of Union Forge, an officer of Gen. Washington's army. His paternal great-grandfather was also a Revolutionary soldier, who settled in the vicinity of Harrisburg, and is burled at Frieden's Kirche, a few miles from Harrisburg, in Cumberland County. His father was very prominent as a physician as well as in the affairs of the town and county. In 1837, he was appointed Prothonotary by Governor Ritner, at the same time filling the office of burgess of the borough. Mr. Mish was a puny infant, and was believed he would not live. When about a year and a half old, his grandfather, Capt. Weidman, took him to his home at the Union Forge, believing that the healthful air of the North Mountain would benefit him. While still In frocks, he would take him in front of him on horseback whenever he made his rounds among the woodchoppers and charcoal burners, who supplied the forge with fuel. He grew hardy, and strong, and attributed his wonderful constitution to the early outdoor exercise. After remaining at his grandfather's some years he, returned to town. He first attended Salem's parochial school, taught by a Mr. Blocher, being taken to the school by the boy who attended his father's horses. He received a penny every morning, for going willingly to school, and this was usually deposited with Mrs. Yensel, who kept a small confectionery opposite Salem's church, receiving a cake or molasses candy in exchange. After he grew large enough to go by himself, he was sent to the Reformed parochial school, taught by Mr. Bibighaus, the organist of the church. His school days were finished at the Lebanon Academy, under Prof. Kluge. When a young men he taught public school three terms, one at Union Forge and two in Cornwall Township not far from Fontana. He was for one year principal of the Annville Academy, which was the forerunner of Lebanon Valley College, after which he read law with his uncle, Jacob B. Weidman, esq., and was admitted to the Lebanon bar in 1845. He was shortly elected district attorney under peculiar conditions in a county in which his party was largely in the minority. His Republican friends, John W. Killinger, Col. T. T. Worth and D. M. Karmany, who were a power in county politics fifty years ago, told him that if he ran as an independent candidate, they would see that their party made no nomination. His Democratic friends, Squire Weidle and John Sowers, took care of the Democratic end, and didn't nominate. Mr. Mish being an independent and the only candidate was triumphantly elected. The only case, he told the writer, he ever had in the Supreme Court he won against so distinguished a lawyer as the late Hon. Levi Kline and he said: "I felt mighty proud over it." He soon after abandoned the law for more congenial pursuits. About 1850, there were three young clergymen in Lebanon, who afterward rose to eminence in their several Churches, Bishop Edmund De Schyeinitz, of the Moravians, and Dr. George F. Krotel and Dr. Augustus C., Wedekind, of the Lutheran church. These gentlemen, with Jacob B. Weidman, esq., Gen. John Weidman, John W. Mish and several others organized a reading club, meeting weekly once each month dining at the residence of Jacob B. Weidman, now owned by J. L. Lemberger. The best English and German authors were read and discussed, and from this club, which raised some hundreds of dollars toward the project, grew the once well known "Wistar Library," which never became very popular, because of the high character of its literature, popular novels being almost entirely excluded. About 1860, it passed into the possession of the Y. M. C. A., and when the organization disbanded, some years later, it stood about town until, finally, it passed we think, into the high school library. In connection with Squire Weidle, he became the financial agent of Robert W. Coleman, of Cornwall, especially at the building of the Cornwall railroad, and so remained until sometime in the 60's. In 1856, the Lebanon Gas company was organized. He was elected as secretary and treasurer, and has since been annually re-elected, a period of fifty years. He saw the first stone laid and the plant grow to its present large proportions. When the Lebanon dime savings bank was organized, Mr. Mish was elected its president, remaining there three years, when he resigned and became cashier of the First National Bank, where he remained ten years. He was treasurer of the borough of Lebanon for several years, and, at one time paymaster of the Eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guards. He served two terms in councils. He was never deceptive. He was a good hater and a loyal friend. Mr. Mish was a man of wide reading and extensive knowledge, a facile and graceful writer and readily adapted himself to any situation. Upon several occasions, he attended the annual meetings or the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Association, and by his contributions to their social sessions, at once acquired a delightful popularity. At the Hotel Shikellimy, opposite Northumberland, he contributed a poem on Shikellimy, a noted Indian chief, who once lived in that section, which was the event of the evenings entertainment, and in conception and execution was a most remarkable production, eliciting the admiration of his friends. He was a nature lover. He was fond of the woods and fields, the birds and flowers, the plant and insect life, and never enjoyed himself as much as when in the country and in attune with nature. While not in the strict sense a botanist, he knew the trees, flowers and plants by name as if they were old friends with familiar faces. He owned a cabin in the mountain north of the city, to which he and other Foosegaenger friends would repair. He was a charter member of St. John's Reformed church, and took a great interest in the erection of the handsome building on Willow street, and in all its subsequent work in the city. He numbered his friends by the scores, among them such distinguished persons as Gen. Cameron, Col. James Young, George Smuller, G. Dawson Coleman, Col. Zimmerman, Mayor Merritt and many others. He was married in 1848, to Amelia Krause, daughter of John Krause, esq., who was a descendant from the early settlers of Lebanon County, and a most lovely woman, who died in 1896. They had five children: Matilda, wife of Charles H. Killinger, esq.: Mason P., William, Robert and John W., Jr. [Lebanon Daily News]