Rawson, John Gray (1840-1928)

RAWSON, GOLD, MILLER, WHITE, FREEMAN

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 4/24/2012 at 22:07:00

Algona Upper DesMoines
2-22-1928

CIVIL WAR VETERAN
ANSWERS LAST CALL
John G. Dawson Died Saturday
at home of his
Daughter.
Served Through War and Took Active
Part in Many Battles. Givcn
Military Burial Monday.
Another of the Civil War veterans answered the last roll call Saturday when John G. Rawson passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank L. Miller. John Gray Rawson was born in Madison county, New York; September 1, 1840. During his boyhood days his parents moved to York, Wisconsin. He grew to manhood- there and on September 7, 1861, at the age of twenty-one, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Eleventh Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry volunteers at Madison, Wisconsin. He spent the following winter at a training camp at Sulphur Springs. He took an active part in numerous battles of the Civil War, including Bayou, Coche, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, Siege of Vicksburg, Jackson Bayou, Teche, Vermillion and the Siege of Mobile. He was promoted to corporal and was honorably discharged from the service at Mobile, Alabama, September 4, 1865, after four years of active service.

After the war he returned to his home in Wisconsin and on March 16, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Gold at York. Two children were born to this union, Arthur L. and Mary Angelina. During the year 1872 he moved to Kossuth county, Iowa, and they located on a farm two miles southwest of Algona. Here he lived for thirty years and in 1902 moved to Algona. Mrs. Rawson passed away in 1918. Following her death he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Mrs. Rawson spent several winters in the south and west, prior to her death.

Mr. Rawson was one of the early settlers of Kossuth county and with other pioneers weathered the hardships and privations characteristic of pioneer days. For three years in succession his crops were destroyed by grasshoppers. He held several township offices at times and always took an active part in the community affairs. For a number of years he was a worker for the Kossuth county fair and served as superintendent of various departments. Mr. Rawson was not a member of any church, but he was a regular attendant at services and Sunday School during his retiring years. He was a very active member of the G. A. R. and took much pleasure in attending the meetings and social affairs and attended several sessions of the national encampment of that organization.

He is survived by one son, Arthur L., of Spokane, Washington, and one daughter, Mrs. Mary A. Miller of this city, six grandchildren and one great grandson, besides two half-sisters, Mrs, George White and Mrs. Jennie Freeman, of Waterloo, Wisconsin.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church Monday afternoon,Rev. Seward officiating. The American Legion firing squad accompanied the remains to Riverview and as the shots rang through the valley and taps were sounded the remains of this honorable veteran were solemnly lowered to their last resting place.