He leaves to mourn his departure his beloved wife, three sons one step daughter, Mrs. Carl Shaver of Guiide Rock, nine grand children and a number of other relatives and friends. Three brothers and two sisters preceded him in death, He was an attendant of the Evangelical church; he was a good father and neighbor.

Mr. Pettit was the last survivor living on his original homestead in Jewell county. He received his land patent June 1876 from the land office at Concordia and noted with pride the signature of James A. Garfield, president of the United Satates. The land has never change[d] hands or ever beeen morgtaged [sic].

Funeral survices were in the First Methodist Church at 2 p. m., Saturday, December 31. 1939. A mixed quartet, consisting of Miss Jennive Vasey, Mrs. Dora Modland, Messers Alfred Craighead and Dallas Davis, accompanied by Mrs. Frances Davis sang "The Old Rugged Cross", "Sweet Hour of Prayer," and "In the Sweet Bye and Ble [sic]," Rev. C. R. Vasey brought the sermon, and the body was laid to rest in the Shaffer cemetery. He was carried by C.F. Davis, Ed. Semkey, V. Goocher, John Brooks, Dwight Morris and Earnie Webb.

From Burr Oak, Kansas Herald, 8 June 1939. Included is a photograph of Joe holding the deed signed by Garfield.

Among Last of 'Old Homesteaders'

In 1876, when Joe Pettit was 28, he moved from southern Nebraska into Kansas and took a homestead in the northern part of Jewell county. In June of that yeart he received his patent signed by President James A. Garfield, fronm the land office at Concordia.

Today, nearing 86 years of age, Pettit still lives on his original homestead 10 miles northeast of Burr Oak. The land has never been mortgaged, never changed hands. In 1935 when Pettit registered the deed on county records, ther were only two homesteaders on their land in the county. Whether Pettit is now the only remaining "old homesteader" on his land in the county is not known.

Pettit lives with his wife and son in the frame house which has replaced his original "soddy." Mrs. Pettit handles most of the business affairs and superintends the work on the farm.

The accompanying photo shows Pettit with his land patent, issued by President Garfield in 1876.

The following is copied and pasted from Miscellaneous Adams County, Nebraska Obituaries

Charles H. Pettit

Burr Oak, Kan., resident Charles Hughes "Sonny" Pettit, 80, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 1996, in Superior. Services are 2 p.m. Monday at Megrue-Price Funeral Home Chapel in Superior with the Rev. Mark Imel officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Superior. Visitation is today 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday 1-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Pettit was born July 5, 1916, near Burr Oak to Joseph Pettit and Mary Karnatz. He attended rural schools in Jewell County Kan. On Dec. 31, 1949, he married Dora Leota Mallam in Mankato, Kan. He was a member of the Superior Eagles Lodge. He was the orchestra leader of Sonny Pettit and The Stateliners 30 years. Survivors are his wife; two daughters, Connie Duffy of Superior and Patty Whitten of Guide Rock; one sister-in-law, Ellis Pettit of Superior; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, one sister and a son-in-law.