Note: Many thanks to Ann Elizabeth and Wanda for precise information, for the marker photo and for copies of what appeared in the Florence newspaper. The tribute as it appeared in the paper is included in the photo section.

The Florence Times Friday November 30, 1906, page two

Tribute of Respect to the Memory of J.A. Threet

He passed away beyond the portals of this life to enter another of a higher and greater nature on October 30, 1906. It is said Death loves a shining mark. The truth of this was fully verified in the untimely death of Lonzo Threet. He lived truly the life of a hero, ever ready to make an effort when duty called. Those that knew him longest and best know he was generous by nature, willing to confer a favor and lend a helping hand to others. He may have had his faults like most of the human family but if an honest man is the noblest product of nature, he filled this ideal to perfection. It was his ambition and aspiration to lead the way onward and upward in life's great battle. Commencing at the bottom of the hill he took up the burden with a ready hand and never faltered or complained. The writer of this was once riding with him through the country and he pointed out the field where with grubbing-hoe and briar hook he earned his first ten dollars. While toiling in this field his mind was also active in planning for the future, and his first resolution was to obtain a fairly good education. By economy, perseverance and industry, success crowned his effort in this particular, as well as in many others that followed. After teaching a while, he laid down the ferule and took up the traveler's grip. Over hills and through the valleys, neither mountain gorges nor swollen streams impeded his progress. The days or nights were never too cold or too hot, nor roads too dusty or muddy. On and on for seventeen long years. The writer has often heard him tell of the adventures and privations encountered but they were met with courage and fortitude. It was a settled policy with him during this time to make judicious investments in good farming land, also occasional purchases of city property. Although actively engaged in various business pursuits, often doing the work of two men, yet he was genial and pleasant in all his social relationships and drew around him many warm personal friends.

We see him now as he reached the full meridian of his eventful life. By his own exertions, he was now approaching the summit of that hill which in early life had presented many frowning aspects. We find him nearly ready to grasp the prize he had hoped for many years to win. His last trip to the country was made to visit the woman of his choice and to arrange with her for their upcoming nuptials. But alas! how uncertain are all human aspirations. That night he was taken sick with a consuming fever from which he was never able to recover. But the irony of Fate, while it breaks the thread of life with a relentless hand, yet his fondest hopes and dreams were in part realized. Still in possession of a mind unimpaired by disease, he called a minister to his bedside and Miss Virgie Simmons became his happy though sorrowful wife, and she now laments his untimely loss.

Truly can it be said of Lonzo Threet that he was one of nature's noblemen. He met all life's issues with a firm and steady purpose, yet by nature his heart was filled with kindness and consideration for others, always ready and willing to give as well as to exact justice. He progress and success among the businessmen of this will afford a living example to this generation what can be done here by honest and persistent effort.

The last great battle was fought and life's fitful fever is over. This beautiful world with all its allurements has to him passed away but beyond this vale of tears we know there is a land of spotless purity that never deteriorates. We hear the whispering of a still small voice it is not simply all of life to live. The clods of the valley now cover his remains and before long may cover ours. In the fullness and prime of life he went down to the dark charnel house of death and the mournful winds are chanting their sad requiems over his silent grave.

These reflections are written by one of his tried and trusted Friends.