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NEW June 7, 2014, from the Geneva Daily Times, Thursday, April 19, 1917, page
CIVIL WAR VETERAN WOULD FIGHT AGAIN
Yates County Veteran, aged 72, is Ready to Battle if Country is Invaded.
A character who attracted much attention on the streets yesterday, came over from Yates county for supplies, including some which, according to reports, are not obtainable in Yates county. The man, erect, but walking with a cane and carrying a basket, attracted attention by reason of a coon skin cap, a leather jacket, a watch chain made of Buffalo nickles and other trinkets, long flowing hair and beard streaked with grey.
The man stated that his name was Bunnell, and that he resides about five miles from Penn Yan on the east side of Keuka Lake. He is a veteran of the Civil War and admits to 72 years of age. Mr. Bunnell declared that while he would not cross the big pond to fight just now, that in case this country needs men to defend it he will again be found with a gun on his shoulder and he declares that he is able to carry one, and shoot, too. In his younger days Mr. Bunnell was a carpenter and boasted that he was able to make anything that could be made out of wood. Of late years he has gardened, fished and done odd jobs.
Bunnell carried a suspicious looking basket, but his only reply as to the reason for his trip to Geneva was: "Well, you know Penn Yan is dry, and I'm a fisherman."
From the Penn Yan Democrat, Friday, July 21, 1916, front page
AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT.
John Bunnell, 71 years old, an old soldier who has lived as a hermit for many years, was seriously hurt in an automobile accident Tuesday night near Crosby. George Edding, a neighbor, was driving the car toward the south and ran into a telegraph pole.
Bunnell was thrown through the windshield. His head and hand were badly cut and his body was bruised in many places. He was unconscious for an hour. The machine is a wreck.
History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.
page 987
Roster of Company A, 110th PA Infantry
Bunnells, John R., private, mustered into service Oct. 24, 1861 for 3 years, not on muster-out roll
Also may appear in records as John Bunnells, John R. Bundle, and John R. Bunnell
- 1890 Veterans Schedule, Bradford, Clearfield, Pennsylvania, P.O. Woodland PA - John Bunnel, Private, Co. A 110th PA Infantry; enlisted Dec 1861; discharge not stated; Company A - Blair County
- 1900 Census, Ovid, Seneca County, New York, Willard St. Hosp. - John Bonnell, age 53, single, born NY, fa. b. NJ, mo. b. NY, inmate
- 1905 New York State Census, Wayne, Steuben County, New York - John R. Bunnell, age 59, born US, mechanic, residing alone in village of Wayne
- 1910 Census, Barrington, Yates County, New York - John Bunnell, age 64, born NY, farmer, rents farm
New York, Census of Inmates in Almshouses and Poorhouses, 1830-1920 - John Bunell, age 67, admitted 23 Jun 1915; father John b. Ireland, mother Jane Parker b. Ireland
- 1920 Census, Milo, Yates County, New York, Lake Road - John R. Bunnell, age 75, widower, born NY, no occupation
NEW June 7, 2014, from the Geneva Daily Times, Saturday Evening, November 10, 1906
A CIVIL WAR VETERAN KILLED IN THE NIGHT
Henry Holman of This City Met Death in a Mysterious Manner-
Left Here Yesterday for the Soldiers Home-
His Neck Broken.
Word was received this morning from Bath, N.Y., announcing the death there of Henry Holman, of this city. Mr. Holman was a veteran of the Civil War, having served with the Thirty-Eighth regiment, New York Volunteers. He was married, but had not lived with his wife for about twenty-five years past, and of late years he has had no home. He was about 65 years of age.
Through the efforts of Herman F. Fox papers were secured admitting him to the Soldiers Home at Bath, and friends sent him there yesterday. He arrived in Bath last evening shortly before 7 o'clock but did not go to the Home, but instead wandered into an alley and it is supposed climbed a pair of back stairs leading to a porch where it is thought he had intended to sleep.
He was found this morning near the foot of the steps. He was dead and investigation showed that his neck was broken. It is supposed he either fell in ascending the steps or that he rolled off the porch while asleep. The coroner in Bath was notified and he turned the body over to a local undertaker who removed it to the morgue at the Soldiers' Home.
The deceased is survived by his wife, two sons, Louis Holman and George Holman, of this city, and one brother, John Holman, also of this city.
From the Geneva Advertiser-Gazette, Thursday, November 15, 1906
Henry Holman of Geneva, a veteran of the civil war, was found dead at the foot of a flight of stairs in Bath last Saturday morning, with his neck broken. He was aged about 65 years. He had recently secured admission to the soldiers' home, and was on his way there.
Company H, 38th NY Infantry; enlisted at age 22 as Henry H. Hollman at Geneva NY, on May 24, 1861 for two years; mustered in June 3, 1861, transferred December 21, 1862 to Company D
- 1850 census - Henry Holman, age 12, residing with parents Daniel and Catharine (Frantz) Holman in Canoga, Town of Fayette, Seneca County NY. His parents came from Northumberland County PA. Daniel Holman, who died in 1850, was at various times a Supervisor and Commissioner of Deeds of the Town of Fayette, a Member of the NYS Assembly, and a General in the NYS Militia.
- 1860 census - Henry Holman, age 23, single, no occupation, residing with mother Catharine and two younger siblings in Town of Seneca, P.O. Geneva NY.
- 1870 census - Henry Holman, age 32, laborer, born New York, residing with wife Mary age 25, and 3 children in Geneva NY.
- 1892 census (NY State) - Henry H. Holman, age 54, boatman, residing alone.
- 1900 census - Mary E. Holman, age 55, married 35 years, residing with son George, age 34. Henry is not listed with household and not found at any location in the census. Son Lewis Holman, age 33, and family residing elsewhere in Geneva. In 1908, Henry's son George was also found dead in an alley.
Henry H. Holman was laid to rest in plot G 4 5 of Bath National Cemetery. Cemetery listings state that he died November 10, 1906 and was buried the same day. Henry's wife rests in Glenwood Cemetery in Geneva NY, with his brother John and family and his mother Catharine Frantz Holman.
NEW June 7, 2014, from The Evening Herald, Syracuse, NY, Monday, June 1, 1903
THREE GRAVES.
GRANDSIRE, SIRE AND SON SERVED THEIR COUNTRY.
The Mounds Which Contain Their Ashes Always Decorated When Memorial Day Comes Around.
Vernon, June 1.- In the little burial plot two miles east of Vernon on the Seneca turnpike three graves are decorated on each succeeding Memorial day. In the graves are buried three soldiers - father, son and grandson. They are Stephen Brigham, who fought in the War of the Revolution; Stephen Brigham, jr., who was in the war of 1812; and his son, George Brigham, who served his country in the Civil war.
NEW June 7, 2014, from The Evening News, North Tonawanda NY, Thursday, April 2, 1931, page 5
Geneseo Civil War Veteran Dies
The death of George S. Williams, 86 years old, a Civil War veteran occurred Sunday evening at the home of his son, Ralph H. Williams in Silver Springs. Mr. William was born in Carlo Craigue, (sic; Carlow Graigue) Ireland, September 1, 1844, and came to America, in 1852 locating in Geneseo. At the age of 16 he enlisted with the 21st New York Volunteers and was detailed on detached service under Gen. James S. Wadsworth. He received his honorable discharge on May 18, 1853. In January 1876 he was married to Helen L. Hanby of Geneseo, whose death occurred in 1925.
Company C, 21st NY Infantry; enlisted at age 17 as George Williams at Arlington, Virginia, on September 23, 1861 for two years; mustered out with company on May 18, 1863 at Buffalo NY; rank in and out - Private. From NY Civil War muster roll abstracts - "April 10/63 detached as Orderly to Brig. Gen. Wadsworth." Born Ireland, age 17, occupation farmer, black eyes, black hair, dark complexion, 5 feet 7 inches high.
Invalid Pension application filed March 2, 1907 from NY State, application no. 1,360,389, certificate no. 1,134,691
- 1890 census, Geneseo NY - George S. Williams, private, Co. C., 21 N.Y. Vol.; enlisted 20 Aug 1861; discharge date not stated; length of service 2 years
- 1900 census, Geneseo NY - George Williams, age 55, born Ireland, emigrated 1853, gardener, wife Helen age 52
- 1910 census, Geneseo NY - George Williams, age 65, born Ireland (English), emigrated 1850, wife Helen age 63
- 1920 census, Geneseo NY - George S. Williams, age 75, born Ireland, emigrated 1850, naturalized 1866, wife Helen age 72
- 1930 census, Geneseo NY - George S. Williams, age 84, widower, born Irish Free State, emigrated 1850
- Buried March 29, 1931 at Temple Hill Cemetery, Geneseo NY. "George S. Williams, 1844-1931, Co. C., 21st N.Y. Inft." A photo of his tombstone can be found by searching the cemetery's interment database. Mr. Williams is interred in Lot: 4, Section: L, Grave: 6.
NEW June 7, 2014, from The Wyoming County Times, Warsaw, N.Y., Thursday, April 22, 1937, page 4
DELOS M. JONES
Delos M. Jones, 91, Civil War veteran, and one of the two remaining members of Upton Post G. A. R. died at 11:05 P. M. on Friday evening at the U. S. Veterans' Facility, Batavia, of pneumonia. He was the only Genesee survivor of the "Bloody Eighth," the 8th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, commanded by Peter A. Porter, and was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor on June 5, 1864.
Mr. Jones was one of the most active G. A. R. veterans in the county. He took part in the Memorial Day exercises last year and attended G. A. R. meetings regularly until several months ago. He held all of the offices in Upton Post and was also a chrter member of Buford Post No. 38 G. A. R. of Johnsonburg and was the last surviving member of that Post.
A native of Johnsonburg, Wyoming County, Mr. Jones was born on October 26, 1845, son of the late Leonard S. and Hannah Jones. At the age of 18 years, he enlisted in Co. M of the 8th New York Heavy Artillery on Dec. 26, 1863 at Sheldon. He saw service in the battles of Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor.
Wounded in the foot at Cold Harbor, Mr. Jones was taken to the Washington Finley hospital from which he was discharged after the war. After his discharge he spent four years farming, later travelled over Western New York as a glove salesman and for a short period operated a bakery and boarding house in Batavia.
In 1868 Mr. Jones married Miss Ellen Bauer of Batavia, who died in 1916.
Mr. Jones had been confined to his home on the Lewiston road, where he lived with his daughter, Mrs. Georga A. Brockerman, since last fall, by a hard cold. Pneumonia developed and he was removed to the hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
Besides Mrs. Brockerman, he is survived by another daughter, Mrs. Bert Silvernail of Elba and several grandchildren.
NEW June 7, 2014, from The Warrensburgh News, Thursday, September 8, 1904
John Shortall, aged sixty-seven years, of Rome, a Civil War veteran, died of blood poisoning at a Saratoga hotel Thursday afternoon. Early in the summer he scratched with his thumb nail a troublesome corn. Gangrene ensued, and recently the big toe was amputated with the hope of saving his life.
Company I, 16th PA Infantry; enlisted for 3 months on April 26, 1861; recruited at Pottsville PA; mustered out with company on July 30, 1861 at Harrisburg PA; rank in and out - Second Sergeant; also listed as "Shortle" and "Shortail." See Samuel P. Bates, History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865.
Invalid Pension application filed Aug. 20, 1890 from NY State, application no. 934800, certificate no. 951403
Widow's pension application filed Sept. 14, 1904 from NY State, application no. 813568, certificate no. 632008
- 1880 census, Rome NY - John Shortall, machinist, age 44, born Pennsylvania, parents born Ireland
- 1900 census, Rome NY - John Shortall, stationary engineer, age 63, born Pennsylvania, parents born Ireland
- Buried with wife Elizabeth T. Barron at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery, Rome NY. "John Shortall, Sergt., Co. I, 16 PA Inf., June 5, 1836 - Sept. 1, 1904."
Photo of Tombstone
From the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, Saturday, January 23, 1892, page 7.
Michael Dwyer, an old war veteran, well-known in Lyons, died at the residence of John Albaugh, in Alloway, early yesterday morning, of heart failure. He served in Company C., 106th New York Volunteers, during the war and lost his right arm. He was a bachelor and leaves two married sisters in Phelps. The funeral will be held to-morrow.
Death notices from issues of the Neighbor's Home Mail, Phelps, NY, a publication of interest to local regiment veterans and NYS pensioners.
Death of Neil J. Kelly, of the 126th Regt.
The subject of this notice died in Penn Yan, Thursday, Jan. 8, 1874, aged 35 years. He was an esteemed member of Company A., 126th N.Y. Regt., and a brave soldier, served the full term of enlistment, participated in the battles of Harper's Ferry, Gettysburg, Auburn Ford, Brostow Station, Mine Run and Morton's Ford. In april, 1864, he was detached in the provost guard at 2d Army Corps Headquarters, in which capacity he served until the war closed, and was discharged with the Regiment. A painter by occupation, and a native of Glasgow, Scotland; been a resident of Penn Yan since 1846. The funeral services were held on the following Sunday in St. Michael's church, Rev. Edward McGowan officiating; it was a solemn and impressive occasion, the assemblage large, comprising the members of Post Sloan, G. A. R., in a body. [March 1874, page 35]
Death of Major George W. Nares
We have room to give but a brief notice of the death of Comrade Nares. He was a native of Geneva, and always claimed to be a resident of that beautiful village. Before the war, was a merchant tailor. Entered the army as First Lieutenant in 50th Engineers Corps, was soon promoted to a Captaincy and made Brigade Commissary of Subsistence, and was brevetted Major for gallant conduct at Fredericksburgh. He was a man of strong friendships, genial and active. Acquitted himself with honor in the several positions of trust his friends were every ready to bestow. Died at Geneva, March 21st, 1874 of paralysis, after a sickness of ten days; forty years of age; and leaves an only son, his wife having died about four years ago, the mother, an only brother and several sisters are left to mourn his death in the zenith of life. Was a member of the Masonic and G. A. R. fraternities, and his funeral was a solemnly imposing occasion. [March 1874, page 40]
In Detroit, Mich., March 28, Martin V. B. Decker, formerly of Victor, Ontario Co. A member of Company D, 4th N.Y. H. A. [May 1874, page 68]
Col. Henry R. Murray died at Canandaigua, Feb. 18, aged 33 years. The Colonel was a genial, gentlemanly comrade and highly esteemed by his friends. He went into the service as Lieutenant under Capt. Griswold in the 148th, and has many comrades and friends to mourn his loss. [March, 1876, page 41]
Capt. Frederick Wallace, for two years a private in the 27th N.Y. Regt, then re-enlisted in the 21st N.Y. cavalry, and was a captain when mustered out, died at Pensacola, Florida, Feb. 27, 1876, of dropsy of the heart. His boyhood was spent in the village of Dansville, N.Y. After the war he settled in La Forte, Colorado, as a farmer, In 1868 he married Olive M.Wells, of Wheatland, Monroe Co., N.Y., and leaves a wife and three children. He went to Florida to reside permanently on account of his health; during the last year of his residence in Colorado he was the assessor for the county of Laramie. [March, 1876, page 41]
We are indebted to Wm. M. Demorest, for the following: "Wm. Kalor, an honored veteran of the 148th N. Y. Vols., died in Seneca Co., April 7, 1876, aged 35 years, of consumption produced from a gunshot wound received at Cold Harbor, Va. [June, 1876, page 71]
John W. Southard writes: "Charles S. Bradford died at Sidney Plains, N.Y., April 22, 1876, aged 35 years. Deceased was formerly orderly sergeant in the 144th N.Y., and for good conduct was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. [June, 1876, page 71]
J. D. Vail sends us the Southold Traveler with lengthy honorable mention of the death of Charles S. Tillinghast, an original member of the 127th N.Y. Vols.; he was wounded in the battle of Honey Hill, S. C., but continued in the service, and when mustered out, April 21, 1866, was a 1st Lieutenant in the 103d U. S. C. T. Over thirty of his comrades of the 127th regiment were present at the funeral. [June, 1876, page 71]
The gallant and faithful old war-horse of Major H. B. Compson, 8th N.Y. Cavalry, died Jan. 1, 1876, in West Fayette, N.Y., aged 24 years. He bore the Major safely through sixty battles, campaigns, marches, sieges, etc. A very interesting letter from the Major will appear in next number descriptive of army experience. [June, 1876, page 71]
John Hanly, orderly sergeant Co. F, 20th Connecticut, also of 5th Conn., was accidentally drowned in the Naugatuck river, Conn., Aprl 12, 1876. [July 1876, Page 82]
Charles L. Parker,, formerly of Co. A, 14th U.S. infantry, died at his home in Auburn, N.Y., Saturday morning, May 20, 1876, aged 48 years. [July 1876, Page 82]
Died of sunstroke July 12th in Rochester, Henry Baker, better known as "king Baker," formerly of Co. E. 140th Regiment N.Y. Vol., aged 32, always with his Regiment and was a good soldier. [August, 1876, page 112]
Died, in Amherst, Loraine Co. Ohio, in May 1876. Mr. Thomas Blake, formerly of Meredith, N.Y. During the late war, he was a member of the 8th N.Y. Independent Battery. He was 33 years of age and leaves a wife and three children. [August, 1876, page 112]
Died, in Oneonta, Otsego Co., N.Y., June 21, 1876, Daniel McGinley. He entered the army in October, 1861, in Co. B., 51st N.Y. Vols., participated in the battles of Roanoke and the second Bull Run, and was discharged Jan. 1863, on account of injuries received in the field. He has been color-sergeant of Post Farmer since its organization, and a life-size portrait of him adorns the Grand Army hall. It is thought he overtaxed himself in the ceremonies of Decoration Day. He had been in feeble health for several months, and on the day mentioned, Commander Fox expressed fears that it would hurt him to carry the flag. But Daniel replied, "Commander Fox, it will hurt me more not to carry it. I will remain at my post." And he did - the same evening he said: "I love the flag of my adoption more than that of my own land." He was of Irish birth. His remains were taken to Albany for burial. - Oneonta Herald. [August, 1876, page 112]
HULL T. SAWTELL, a veteran of the 8th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, died at North Bergen, Genesee Co., N.Y., May 13, 1876, of a disease contracted while in the service of the United States and in line of duty, left a wife and two children... [August, 1876, page 112]
Rufus H. Clark, of Elmore Vt., died of sun stroke in New York City, July 15, 1 876, aged 35 years. Comrade Clark was Adjutant of the 3d Louisiana Vols., during the war; while in the service he received injuries for which he was pensioned. [October 1876, page 137]
DIED.- In Galva, Henry Co., Ill., Sept. 27th Theodore W. Crawford, in the 35th year of his age.
Deceased was formerly a member of the 144th Regt., N.Y. V. [November 1876, page 153]
DIED.- In Ouleout, N.Y., Thursday, Sept. 14th, Charles D. McMinn, in the 31st year of his age.
Deceased was formerly a member of the 144th Regt. N.Y.V. And at the time of his death belonged to Post 119, Department of N.Y. G. A. R., and was a member of the Oneonta Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 1. Members from both the above named organizations attended the funeral and took charge of the body.
He was a noble young man and leaves an amiable wife and one child to mourn his loss. [November 1876, page 153]
EDGAR W. DENIO, later a member of Company D, 2d N.Y. Artillery, died at Aurora, Neb. Sept. 26, 1876. The deceased enlisted Dec. 1, 1862, reported at Elmira the 3d, and made Fort Corcoran by the 27th of same month, and was assigned to Capt. John Jones' (D) company. He was soon a victim of inflammatory rheumatism, from which he never fully recovered; but however done duty and was always ready if able to get around at all.
May 15th, '64, the 2nd, with other artillery regiments, left Washington for the front to re-enforce Gen. Grant, and at Spottsylvania Court House in the battle of May 19th, he was shot through both legs just above the knees. Comrade Wm. H. Brown had just that instant stepped past Edgar and hearing the thud turned around and caught hold of him - some of the boys then arranged to carry him to the hospital - we were far out to the front, and some Johnnies and wormed themselves into our rear and ran across our party ordering us to surrender, but it so happened that even while Edgar lay upon the stretcher he was prepared for them, drawing a Navy revolver demanded them to surrender, which they did without any further ceremony. After the close of the war, with shattered health he spent his time around home doing what he could and reading law - hoping to improve his health, went west, but before three years passed his final muster-out came. In the army he was always cheerful and full of fun - every one loved and respected him. He leaves a young wife to mourn his early death. [January 1877, page 15]
Mr. Charles Cummings, a member of the 75th Reg't N.Y. Vols., died at or near Lansing, Mich., on the 9th of January, 1877, his age was about 31 years. He was known throughout his Company as a good soldier, and one that never shirked a duty. He entered the army at the organization of the 75th regiment, who went out with Col. Jesse Legoire, as commandant, and in Co. F., Capt. J. C. Fitch; after a year's service he re-enlisted for three years longer in the same regiment and company, the company commanded by Capt. Charles S. Cox, and remained until the close of the war. Serving in all nearly or quite four years, his discharge bearing date, December 9th, 1865; since which time he has been a resident of the town of Huron, county of Wayne, in this State, up to the 20th of November, 1876, when he removed to Michigan, with the intention of going to Colorado for his health. But his disease, (consumption) proved to be too near its end for him to survive the journey, and he died at the residence of his brother-in-law, John H. Brink, Esq., (who was also a member of the 75th,) at the place and time aforesaid; he leaves a wife but no children; and thus another awaits the great roll call of both Blue and Gray, and by his death the world loses a good citizen, and an upright, honest man, and the re-union boys a hearty hand-shaking comrade. [February, 1877, page 29]
Small notices from issues of the Neighbor's Home Mail, Phelps, NY, a publication of interest to NYS pensioners and local regiment veterans.
Capt. Benj. Watkins, original captain of Company H, 148th, has just been elected Justice of the Peace in Waterloo. [March 1874, page 40]
Jacob Reader, Co. D, 148, who lost an arm in Cold Harbor battle, has been elected a constable in Varick town, Seneca county. No braver man was ever mustered. He was a king in the cook-house, too. [March 1874, page 40]
Richard S. Foster, Esq., Canandaigua, was a jolly Quartermaster's Sergeant of the 148th, and handled Uncle Sam's delicacies with satisfactory adroitness. He knew to a T how to discharge the duties of his position, just as he now does to keep a No. 1 market, supplied with the choicest meats and edibles. [March 1874, page 40]
Lieut. Ezra A. Hibbard (A, 111th) is an esteemed citizen of Phelps, connected with A. L. Boyden's Emporium for hardware, stoves, seeds, implementes, &c.
G. A. R. - O'Rourke Post No. 1, of Rochester, on Thursday evening, Dec. 31, 1874, elected the following gentlemen were elected:
Commander - Col. R. H. Schooley
Senior Vice Commander - Lieut.-Col. J. D. Perkins
Junior Commandner - Maj. J. W. Parsall
Surgeon - Maj. J. E. Seeley
Chaplain - Lieut. James Goswell
Adjutant - Lieut. George Johnson
Officer of Day - Lieut. James Madden
Officer of Guard - Lieut. Joseph Haber
Delegates to Encampment - Comrades John A. Reynolds, S. S. Eddy, and R. H. Warfield
Alternates - John McIntosh, J. E. Seeley and J. C. Smith, jr.
[March 1875, page 40]
INFORMATION WANTED
Of the death of JAMES ROBISON, a recruit of co. M, 4th N.Y. H. Art'y in 1864. Said Robison died at Beverly, N.J., but the widow has thus far failed to produce sufficient proof of his death. Any person cognizant of his death or possessed of information in regard thereto will do a great kindness by making such fact known to the Editor of the Home Mail; also of the whereabouts of the officer that commanded said Company in August, 1864. [June, 1875, page 89]
Information wanted at this office of George A. Yerden, of Company E., 147th N.Y. Vols., who has been missing since the close of the war. [March, 1876, page 41]
INFORMATION WANTED.
Of the whereabouts of George Wilby, late a member of Co. F, 126th N.Y. Vols., supposed to be settled somewhere in the state of Michigan.
Also of Palmer W. Roberts, Co. E, 126th N.Y., supposed to be in vicinity of Washington, D.C. [July 1876, Page 82]
Allen Viele, late of G., 15th N.Y., is farming at North Wolcott - is afflicted with much sickness in his family, but like the good soldier that he always was, he keeps up good cheer and he is courageous to fight the battle of life as manfully as fought for the preservation of the Union. He has the sympathy of all his comrades. [December 1876, page 166]
Alexander Spiers, late of the 1st N.Y. Engineers resides near Butler, Washington Co., Kansas. Mr. Spiers is engaged in farming and is prospering finely. We are pleased to add that he is a gentleman in every sense of the word, and as a soldier had the name of being one of the best. [December 1876, page 166]
Benjamin Sharp, late of Co. H., 122d N.Y., carrying the honorable scar of a gunshot wound through his right hand, is prosecuting the occupation of a farmer as he soldiered, and that was first-class and always on hand for business - a good soldier and now a good citizen. His address is Red Creek, Wayne Co., N.Y. [December 1876, page 167]
Joseph Caterline, late of A., 9th N.Y., runs a saw and a cider mill at North Wolcott, and business of course is lively whenever "Joe" has anything to do with it. He was a good soldier and he knows, to a dot, how to run the saw, and what apples make straws juicy. [December 1876, page 167]
Samuel Snow, of A., 9th N.Y., is the "Boss" cooper at North Wolcott, and the barrels roll out there under his eye as lively as "Sam" used to make the "Johnnies get up and dust" down in Dixie. We are not prepared to say whether he made that ar' bar'l of Sam Tilden's, we have heard so much about of late, but if he did it's well made and will stand the banging of another Presidential campaign without bursting a hoop. [December 1876, page 167]
Jonathan Neal, of A, 9th N.Y., is one of the deserving farmers of North Wolcott, driving ahead, although it is hard, as he says "for a bird to fly whose wings are clipped." Jonathan lost an arm in the defence of his country, he was a faithful soldier, and is now an honored citizen. Long live, comrade Neal, and may blessings rich "ration" you through the life march. [December 1876, page 167]
Another good soldier at North Wolcott, also a veteran of the Ninth (N.Y.) Heavy, is N. J. Field, Esq., the present gentlemanly postmaster and popular storekeeper of that place. It is a safe rule - the good soldier always makes a No. 1 citizen, and such was comrade field. [December 1876, page 167]
Lieut. Gilbert Jackson, formerly of the 8th N.Y. Independent Battery, resides at Grand Rapids, Wisconsin. The lieutenant has an interest in a large flour store at that place, and is said to be doing well. A better soldier than Gilbert Jackson there never was. [December 1876, page 167]
Capt. R. L. Fox, late of the 22d N.Y. Cavalry is a resident of Oneonta, N.Y. The captain is the junior member of the firm of Osborn & Fox, druggists, and is a good citizen. He is also commander of Post 119, department of N.Y., G. A. R., and has been since the post was first organized, and is the boss man in the right place. [December 1876, page 167]
Philip Thomas is a resident of Huron, Wayne Co. N.Y. He is a practical machinist, and has a threshing and heading machine as well as a farm. Philip is much respected by all who know him. He says he is a life member of the Home Mail, as he loves to recall the fun and adventures in the sunny South. He was a member of Co. A., 9th N.Y. Heavy Artillery. [February 1877, page 25]
Owen S. Langdon, private of Co. B, 111th N.Y., is alive and doing well - lives four miles south of Clyde, on his father's farm. Post office address Clyde, N.Y., box 144. [February 1877, page 25]
From the Geneva (N.Y.) Gazette, Friday Evening, August 1, 1873.
Another Veteran Gone.- Rapidly, all too rapidly, the ranks of the "Grand Army of the Republic" are thinning out, for as Death makes a vacancy the vacant place remains such forever - no recruiting to fill the decimated lines, for none are qualified for membership save those who bared their breasts to the fearful storm of war. Another has fallen among us - one who although a ___ fragile boy, bravely entered the Union army, shared all its perils, exposures, privations and hardships, escaped arms - and returned to be honored as a hero.
CHARLES H. WHEELER, the deceased young veteran referred to, was born in this town. He enlisted and served till the war closed in the artillery service - battery G, 3d N. Y. Since his return he has been employed in the steam bending and spoke works near our depot under its several proprietors. Some four or five years ago he had the misfortune to meet with an accident while at work at a buzz saw, which severed one hand close to the wrist. While thus disabled, he was nominated for village collector by the democrats, and elected by nearly 300 majority - running largely ahead of his ticket. Disdaining idleness, determined on self-support, he resumed labor in the following fall, doing about the spoke works whatever he could in his disabled condition. Latterly he filled the position of fireman in the engine room, and while thus employed he was on Friday last overpowered by the heat, which developed into congestion of the brain, terminating fatally in three short days. Deceased leaves a wife and mother but no children, although one or more were born to him but died in early infancy. The survivors are in impoverished circumstances; but the bereaved ones have true and tried friends in the comrades of husband and son, now no more, who will see that they never suffer for the necessaries of life.
The funeral of the deceased took place yesterday afternoon with religious ceremonies at the Memorial Church. Post Swift, of which he was a member, and a large delegation of the Grand Army from Waterloo, in citizens' dress and fatigue caps with reversed arms, escorting the remains of their lamented comrade to their final resting place, and firing a salute over his grave.
Deceased was in the 30th year of his age.
From The Daily News, Batavia, NY, Saturday Evening, November 6, 1915, page 3
William Hungerford, aged 73, a Civil War veteran, died yesterday in Clyde.
Zebalon B. Packard of Manning, a Civil War veteran, aged 74, died on Thursday night.
Lawrence Klein, aged 75, who fought in the Civil War and was prominent in G. A. R. circles, died yesterday in Rochester.
From the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, Monday, October 27, 1902, page 4.
George H. Richmond Succumbed to Injuries Received Friday.
George H. Richmond, the aged wagon maker who was struck by a New York Central freight train Friday evening at the Ellicott street crossing of the New York Central, in Batavia, died at the Woman's Hospital in that village Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Richmond recovered consciousness for a short time Saturday morning, but was unable to give any account of the accident. He relapsed into unconsciousness and died. The report of the physicians was that he died from cerebral hemmoraghes (sic) due to a blow upon the head which slightly punctured the skull.
Mr. Richmond was 65 years of age and served through the war in the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery. In addition to his widow and two sons he is survived by one brother, N.C. Richmond, of Lincoln, N.Y.; four sisters, Mrs. Alida Wills, of Rome; Miss Alza Richmond, of Webster; Mrs. Ida Graves, of Akron, and Mrs. Sabina Pratt, of Ontario, N.Y. Richmond, although not a member of the G.A.R., will receive a soldier's burial and the funeral will be in charge of a number of members of the Upton Post.
From The New York Times, September 22, 1896
James B. Mix.
Col. James B. Mix, once a journalist in this city, and a familiar figure on Park Row, died in an up-town sanitarium on Sunday. He had been in the retreat for more than four years, and had passed out of the view of his old acquaintances, many of whom supposed that his death had occurred some time ago.
Col. Mix was born in New-York fifty-eight years ago. He entered the office of The New-York Times when a boy. He was a nephew of James B. Swain who for many years was The Time's correspondent at Washington, writing under the pseudonym of "Leo." When the war broke out, young Mix went to the front and made an excellent record as a soldier, and earned the title of Colonel. During the closing days of the war he was in command of Abraham Lincoln's bodyguard in Washington. He was a well-known man about town, and was a member of the Old Guard and of the veterans' association of the Seventh Regiment.
Col. Mix, during his career as a journalist, was connected, at different times, with most of the New-York newspapers. He was appointed to a position ion the money order department of the General Post Office in 1872. He held this position for seventeen years.
The will of Sarah A. Sanchez, better known as Mme. Sanchez, who died April 2l8, 1889, was offered for probate, under the name of Mrs. James B. Mix, and her marriage to the Colonel then first became known. The ceremony had been performed six years before. She left property valued at $140,000, of which her husband got one-fourth, her son and his wife and children, receiving the rest.
Col. Mix was a distinguished-looking man. He was about 6 feet 2 inches in height, broad-shouldered, and weighed more than 200 pounds. He always wore spectacles, "which sat," said one of his old friends yesterday, "upon a nose exactly like that of the novelist Thackeray."
The body of Col. Mix will be interred in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Tarrytown.
From the Syracuse Herald, January 7, 1909, page 3
EAST SYRACUSE.
DEATH OF A VETERAN.
Jacob Merritt Took Part in Several Battles in Civil War.
East Syracuse, Jan. 7.- Jacob Merritt, a veteran of the Civil War, died here yesterday at 3:15 o'clock at his house in Dausmond street, death being due to progressive paralysis, from which he had been a sufferer for some time. Mr. Merritt was 66 years old and had seen active service in the United States army. He enlisted on May 14th, 1861, at Manlius, was mustered in as a private in Company H., Fourteenth Infantry, New York, May 17th, to serve two years and was mustered out with his regiment at Utica on May 23d, 1863. During his time in the service he took part in a number of severe battles. The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon from the home, burial being made at Fayetteville. He is survived by his widow and four sons, Nathan of Minoa, William of Syracuse, and Charles and Burt of this place. Mr. Merritt was a member of "Ben" Higgins post, No. 670, G. A. R.
From the Madison County Times, Friday, March 29, 1889, front page (Chittenango, NY)
Nicholas Hanson died in Carlisle, aged sixty-seven. He was a Lieutenant in the Eleventh New York Artillery in the late war, and settled in Carlisle about 1870. He was a member of the G. A. R. post of Cobleskill.
From the New York Times, Thursday, December 4, 1902
Col. Hezekiah Bowen died at his country home, north of Medina, Tuesday night, aged eighty-one. Col. Bowen was prominent in the Grand Army circles, and for many years was one of the managers of the New York State Fair Association.
From the New York Times, Thursday, December 4, 1902
Col. H. H. Beadle.
Col. Harry H. Beadle died suddenly yesterday in his home, at 320 Union Street, Brooklyn. He was seventy-four years old and was born in Wallingford, Conn. For a long time he had been a clerk in the office of the Water Register. He was a member of the South Congregational Church and for nearly thirty years he served as organist and also as clerk. In 1861 what was known as the Carroll Guard was organized in the church. It became Company F of the Thirteenth Regiment. Mr. Beadle was the Second Lieutenant. He served with the company in the civil war. He became a Captain and was brevetted Colonel. He was President of the Thirteenth Regiment Veteran Association and was a member of U.S. Grant Post, No. 327, G. A. R.
From the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, Tuesday, February 19, 1901, page 4
CAPTAIN SHELBY BAKER
Honored Veteran, Gallant Sea Captain and Respected Merchant Gone.
Captain Shelby Baker, of South Livonia, died Sunday forenoon after a long period of declining health, at the age of 74 years. Mr. Baker was one of the most thoroughly respected citizens of Livonia, a high type of honorable, capable self-poised manhood. He enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-six New York volunteers in 1862, and by successive promotions became first lieutenant of Company F, same regiment, and fought through the war. After his discharge he became a sailor and again proved his competency by being promoted to the command of a ship engaged in the California trade. His experience was large, some of his interesting voyages taking him into almost every navigable sea.
Until his health failed he had been a merchant at South Livonia for over twenty y ears, and much of the time postmaster. He was a Republican in politics, a prominent member of the E. S. Gilbert Grand Army Post and a member of the Livingston County Historical Society. Mr. Baker married in 1857 Miss M. S. Sharp, of South Livonia, who survives him with one adopted daughter.
From the Ontario County Times Journal, December 20, 1940, page 1, column 2.
CIVIL WAR VETERAN DIES AT AGE OF 93
Charles Chambers, naval veteran of the Civil War and last remaining member of the G.A.R. forces in the Honeoye Falls area, died Monday afternoon, in his home on N. Bloomfield after an illness of several days. He was 93 Saturday.
Born in Victor, December 14, 1847, he moved to Honeoye Falls at the age of 12 years where he attended public school and worked in a general store in North Bloomfield.
At the age of 16 he slipped away from his home, walked eight miles to Fishers, boarded a train for New York and on July 18, 1864, enlisted in the Navy. He was in the blockade off Fort Fisher for five months, and as powder boy, participated in the capture of the fort on Christmas Eve, 1864. Following hostilities he served two years on the sloops of war Susquehanna and Rhode Island, cruising along the Atlantic seaboard. On July 2, 1867, he received his discharge.
In 1869 he went to California over the first trans continental railroad, and worked for an organization which constructed the Central Pacific Railroad between San Francisco and Sacramento. He returned to North Bloomfield in 1878, where he married Genevieve Ideson, who died a year ago. For 20 years he served as postmaster of North Bloomfield, and for 26 years conducted the general store there. He served as a post commander of Lewis Gates Post, G.A.R., and a charter member. He was a member of the former Universalist church of North Bloomfield.
Surviving are two sons, Horace and Joseph, and a daughter, Mrs. William Carmichael, all of North Bloomfield, and a sister, Mrs. Don Braisie, of Flint, Mich, also six grandchildren and a great grandchild.
[His body was interred December 19, 1940 North Bloomfield, New York, N. Bloomfield Cemetery.]
From the Auburn Weekly Bulletin, Auburn NY, Tuesday, July 12, 1910, front page.
Major George Oaks Dead.
Rochester, N.Y., July 11.- Major George Oaks, a prominent Grand Army veteran, died in this city this morning, aged 69 years. Enlisting in the Thirteenth regiment, New York State volunteers at the outbreak of the Civil war, he was engaged in every skirmish and engagement in which his regiment took part. In 1892 he was elected department commander of the Union Veterans and in 1894 commander in chief of the national organization.
From the Candor Courier, Thursday, July 2, 1914.
Captain H. Well Hand, a civil war veteran who had been failing since his return from the Gettysburg reunion a year ago, died in Nunda. He was the author of the "Centennial History of Nunda," a volume of 600 pages, published in 1908. (p. 2)
Hiram Jerome, a Civil War veteran, 75 years old and formerly in the government employ as cattle inspector in New York city, died last week at Carton station. (p. 3)
Survivors of the 104th New York regiment (the Wadsworth Guards), of which there are about 75, will hold their annual reunion on August 13th at the home of H. W. Burlingame, Warsaw. (p. 3)
A newspaper account of the 50th Reunion of the Battle of Gettysburg, from The Fairport Herald,
Fairport, N.Y., Wednesday, July 9, 1913. Vol. XLII, No. 15.
ANECDOTES AND NOTES FROM
REUNION OF BLUE AND GRAY
Many Incidents, Touching and Amusing, at Gettysburg Celebration
General Daniel E. Sickles, Only Surviving Corps Commander, A Picturesque Figure.
GENERAL DANIEL E. SICKLES, now nearly ninety-three ears old and the only surviving
corps commander of either side who participated in the battle, was one of the most
picturesque figures at the Gettysburg celebration. His quarters were in a big tent on
the grounds of the Rogers House and only a few score yards separated him from the spot where he
lost his leg half a century ago.
Directly in front of the Rogers House Sickles avenue turns from the Emmitsburg road and leads
off toward Devil's den, at the foot of Little Round Top. In a little triangle at the junction
stand some polished but antiquated cannon, the effigy of a federal battery belonging to
Carr's brigade, which the Confederates took and then relinquished. Carr's brigade was a part of
the corps which General Sickles commanded.
The line of the corps bent almost in front of the house in what is now known as the Bloody Angle. Here on July 2, 1863, the men, who in 1913 met and fraternized on the lawn, the porch and in the old farmhouse, fought like wildcats.
Chaplain Joe Twitchell, who accompanied the general, related again and again how that game old soldier lost his leg.
"It was after the fight had been going on about half an hour," said Chaplain Twitchell, " that the general was struck by a shot below the knee. It came from so squarely in front that it didn't touch his horse, but it tore his leg all to flinders.
"I met an aid, Captain McBlair, and his horse was so exhausted with the day's work that he laid his head right down on the ground the moment the captain stopped him.
"The general is shot!" he cried to me.
"Where is he?" I asked.
"In the ambulance."
"I went to the ambulance, and there he lay. The floor of it was flowing with blood, and the sides of it were all splashed with blood. They took him to the corps hospital at Rock creek, and there his leg was amputated by Surgeon Sims. As he lay on the pine operating table I administered the anaesthetic. He said a pretty good thing at that time, I thought for he thought he was going to die. He said:
"In a war like this one man's life is of small account."
"He thought he was making a fine dying speech," chuckled the chaplain, "but he didn't die after all.
As we weren't sure then that the Confederates wouldn't be swarming over our quarters the next day, they carried him on a stretcher to the nearest railroad after the operation and shipped him to Washington. And the day after he arrived there Mr. Lincoln went to see him."
General Sickles great infirmity brought many a tear to the eyes of all who saw him. It was plain that he was in almost constant pain, but with grim determination he insisted on receiving his old soldiers as well as those of other commands. During the day his tent was constantly filled with visitors.
Once a stranger, with ill timed solicitude, was heartless enough to ask the general whether he was afraid of dying on the field where he was wounded fifty years ago.
"Sir," came promptly from the little withered man, "I know of no place on God's green footstool where a man, a soldier and a gentleman had rather die. The leg I lost is in the grave, and the foot I have is in a similar fix."
After Fifty Years.
Two G.A.R. men of Pennsylvania met on the first day at Gettysburg and after recounting various war time experiences each recognized in the other fellow prisoner at Andersonville. They had lived in Pennsylvania within a few miles of each other during most of the intervening half century.
They were Sergeant H.R. Anthony, formerly of the Fifth Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, and Sergeant Herman J. Hambleton, formerly of the Fourth Pennsylvania cavalry. Sergeant Anthony lives at Collingswood, Pa., and Sergeant Hambleton is from Morton, Pa.
Both had been at Andersonville prison and recalled the same experiences of the killing of prisoners too near the dead line by the guards on the stockade walls and the methods of avoiding starvation employed by the imprisoned men of the north.
Sergeant Anthony weighed eighty-six pounds when he left the prison. He was five feet eight inches tall. When he entered he weighed 163 pounds. He claims to have been the lightest man ever discharged from the prison who survived the ordeal.
A Unique Banner.
One of the many unique banners seen at the reunion was that which flew before the headquarters of the Manassas picket post, D.A.R. and Ewell camp C.B. The banner, which is commemorative of the peace jubilee on the battle field of Bull Run in July, 1911 at
which celebration President Taft delivered the principal address, displayed the Confederate flag on one side and the stars and stripes on the other.
In addition there appear the inscriptions, "Let Us Have Peace - Grant," and "Duty Is the Sublimest Word in Any Language - Lee."
A special guard of honor, composed of veterans from both sides, cared for the flag.
Oldest Survivor of War.
Major Daniel C. Boggs of Pittsburgh, ninety-six years old and believed to be the oldest survivor of the civil war, was among those who came to Gettysburg to celebrate the semicentennial of the battle.
Major Boggs did not participate in the battle, but he bears an honorable record of service in the war and belongs to a family of pioneers and soldiers which began in colonial times. His father was one of the first to settle in Pittsburgh, and his grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War.
Although now close to the century mark, the major showed himself to be livelier than many of the veterans present at the celebration a score of years his junior. He could read without glasses and recalled the names of many old comrades whom he had not seen for years.
Slept In Same Room.
General F.M. Easton of Boston came to the celebration a day early in order the he might sleep in the same room in the Eagle hotel in which he slept on June 30, 1863, the night before the battle opened. Finding it was occupied, he almost wept at the prospect of having his dearest hopes defeated.
Fifty years ago he was sent to the town for supplies and being unable to get them that night, went to the hotel and spent the night. The room had been engaged months before the celebration, but one of the men occupying it, hearing of General Easton's request, volunteered to double up with another man, and let the veteran have his wish. So the general was not disappointed after all.
Died Where He Fought.
The first man to die at the celebration died near the spot where he fought fifty years before. He survived that battle, where thousands fell, only to find his fate on the same field half a century later.
The man was Augustus D. Brown of Kimball post, Livermore Falls, Me. His death was caused by heart disease superinduced by the heat.
Key's Grandson at Celebration.
The grandson of the man who wrote the "Star Spangled Banner" was one of those who attended the celebration. It had looked for a time as if he would not be there unless he walked the seventy-five miles between Pikesville, Md., where the state home for Confederate veterans is situated, and Gettysburg. But just as he was about to start friends came to his assistance, and John Francis Key, the eighty-two-year old descendant of Francis Scott Key, the poet, got this railroad fare and a snug sum besides. If he hadn't got it, being a "right smart man" for all his years, as one of the friends remarked, "he'd 'a' come anyway."
Joe Trax's Cannon.
Joe Trax of Newcastle, Pa., brought a cannon with him to the celebration the like of which is seldom seen. As Trax himself said, he wouldn't trade it for one of the modern artillery guns in the regular camp even if something were given to boot. When asked why, he explained that it was composed of melted brass buttons from Federal and Confederate uniforms, field spoons, a key from Ford's theatre Washington, where Lincoln was assassinated, twenty-five pounds of regulation silver watch cases and - he couldn't remember just what else was dropped into the melting pot. "Junk, but historic junk," he laconically asserted.
Trax was a trooper in Company B, West Virginia cavalry. He was wounded at Lynchburg, and to top his story concerning the composition of the cannon he said the bullet which lodged in his right thigh was part of the glistening muzzle.
From The Le Roy Gazette-News, LeRoy, N.Y., Wednesday, June 23, 1920. Vol. 95, No. 16.
H.J. Whiting, a Civil War veteran, of Silver Springs, is visiting his son, Frank Whiting. (p. 10)
G.D. Whitney has gone to Syracuse to attend the State Encampment of the G.A.R. to be held in that city and while there will be a guest of his granddaughter, Miss Jessie R. Malette. (p. 10)
From The Le Roy Gazette-News, LeRoy, N.Y., Wednesday, December 15, 1915. Vol. 90, No. 42.
SHEDD CAMP, S.O.V.
Shedd Camp, No. 6, Sons of Veterans, on Thursday evening elected the following officers for the ensuing year: Commander, Royal Caswell; senior vice-commander, A.L. Stripp; junior vice-commander, George E. Dickinson; camp council, Walter Clark, J.F. Everingham and Frank J. Nash; secretary, George J. Stripp; treasurer, William B. Doty. (p. 6)
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