Squire J. D. A. Secrest died at 9:15 last night at his home on the Secrest Short Rd. He lacked a week of having reached his 92nd birthday. He was not sick.

He had just matured, declined, and ceased to live, like a leaf matures and falls from the tree. He had been in a coma for a few days. Since the death of his wife about two years ago he had continued to live in his own house where he was cared for by the family of his only son, Mr. Blair Secrest, living nearby.

Squire Secrest lived all of his life on the land handed down from his Revolutionary Ancestors
He was justly proud of his historic background. On the bronze tablet erected on the Court House Square by the Daughters of the American Revolution appears the names of
John Secrest and William Pyron. William Pyron was the father of Squire Secrest's
mother, Mille Pyron.

William Pyron was with George Washington at Valley Forge. John Secrest was the a great Uncle of Squire Secrest and was in the Battle of Kings Mt. From the battle he brought home a British Musket whichhas been handed down in the family ever since and now comes into the possession of Mr. Blair Secrest. With it comes a rifle which was shipped to the south by JOHN BROWN preceding his capture at Harper's Ferry by Robert E. Lee just prior to the breaking out of the Civil-.War. Also a sword and the Commission of Captain Abram Secrest, signed by Governor Manly of North Carolina. Capt. Abram Secrest was the father of Squire Secrest.

Squire Secrest was a religious man. He liked to tell of how, when young and being of a hot temper, he promised his mother to govern his temper, never drink nor smoke nor curse. For many years of his life he was a local preacher and always a church and Sunday school worker. For many years he and his wife gave an egg hunt at Easter at their home for the children of the neighborhood. He was an originator and supporter of Grace Church. He was also an industrious man. He loved to think of how he had always made a living on his farm, supplying first his own needs and refrained from debt. He lived comfortably and had plenty for his old age and never worked anywhere except on his own acres. He was for many years a Justice of the Peace and served as County Coroner.

Squire Secrest was born February 28, 1847. His parents had fourteen children and he was the last. Three of their sons were killed in the Civil War. He was the seventh son before a daughter was born, and there was a saying that a seventh son would be a doctor so they put that in his name, Jacob Doctor Alyin, the Jacob being from his grandfather.

Squire Secrest is survived by one son, Mr. W.A.B. Secrest. His first wife was Miss Elizabeth Dunlap of S.C., who died when her son, Blair Secrest, was five weeks old. His 2nd wife was Nancy Wentz, who died two years ago and who is survived by one child, Mrs. J.W. Helms by a former marriage. Squire Secrest went to school to S.S.S. McCauley in Monroe, NC, and then to J. S. Squires at Wolfsville Academy.
 

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