The following obituary appeared in the October 3, 1878 edition of The Seneca County Advertiser, a newspaper in Tiffin, Ohio. It was taken from a microfilm of that paper that is in the possession of the Tiffin Public Library.
"DEATH OF COL. RICHARD JAQUA. On Friday last, Colonel Richard Jaqua, a resident of Seneca County for about 56 years, died at his residence in Eden Township, aged 91 years. Col. Jaqua cast his first vote in 1808 for James Madison for President, and has always been a supporter of the Democratic party. He served with distinction in the War of 1812, attaining the rank of Colonel. He was one of the first settlers of Seneca County, contributing largely to its growth and development. He was buried on Sunday afternoon by the Masonic fraternity, and the funeral was one of the largest ever seen in the village of Melmore. About 40 of the Masonic fraternity were present from Tiffin."
[According to John Phillip Jaqua] Colonel Richard Jaqua was living in his home one mile northeast of Melmore, with his youngest daughter, Oliva and her husband, John Casky, when he passed away. They had cared for Richard in his old age and he left his home and all his land to John and Oliva in his last will and testament. Gertrude Casky, granddaughter of Oliva Jaqua Casky, was very instrumental in starting the Jaqua Family Reunion in 1933. Gertrude lived her entire life in Cleveland, Ohio and often visited her grandfather Casky at the Richard Jaqua farm near Melmore as a child. She would ride the train to Green Springs and her grandfather met her at the station with his horse and buggy. She stayed one week each summer.
Source: The Jaquas of Seneca County, Ohio, by John Phillip Jaqua, Toledo, Ohio, July 1982 (unpublished).
The following obituary appeared on page 144 of the 1879 issue of The Masonic Review, which was a paper published in Cincinnati, Ohio.
"BRO. RICHARD JAQUA. One of the oldest Masons of Ohio, died at the residence of his daughter at Melmore, Seneca Co., Ohio, Sept. 26, 1878 aged 91 years, 5 months and 17 days. Was born April 9, 1787, in Columbia County, New York and moved to Melmore, October 22, bringing with him his M.M. Diploma, dated August 28, 1822, under seal of Genessee Union Lodge, No. 332, F. and A.M., of the town of Gaines, signed Ashel Lee, W.M., Joseph Brown, Secretary.
In January, 1825, a dispensation was issued to Buckley, Hutchins and others, Bro. Jaqua being one of the others, to open a lodge of M.M., and which was christened Lafayette Lodge, No. 77. Bro. Jaqua was chosen Senior Warden continuously, and usually attended the Grand Lodge, going on horseback. One time was nearly drowned in crossing the swollen Sandusky river, there being no bridges in those days. Said lodge was moved to Tiffin, and finally ceased to work during the Morgan excitement. Bro. Jaqua and others again petitioned for and received a charter of Eden Lodge, No. 310, dating from August 23, 1858, and signed October 20, 1859.
Bro. Jaqua was commissioned Captain of 2nd Co., 2nd Regiment, 3rd Brig., 11th Division of State Malitia [sic], October 9, 1826 by Gov. J. Morrow, and Sept. 8, 1831 was promoted Lieut. Col. of said Regiment, by Gov. D. McArthur. He served the Order and his Country, with fidelity and promptness, and was buried with Masonic honors by his lodge, assisted by many of the members from Tiffin, and about 600 persons to honor the aged pioneer. Peace to his ashes. J.F.G."
Source: The Jaquas of Seneca County, Ohio, by John Phillip Jaqua, Toledo, Ohio, July 1982 (unpublished).
Dale Brown's Family History Page
Author: Dale A. Brown
Last updated: August 23, 2001
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