TWO VETERANS IN AKRON Akron-Register Tribune: In commenting upon the death of Davis Yount, 88, Civil War veteran residing near James, Iowa, on Thursday, December 20, [1934] the LeMars Sentinel states that he was the last remaining Civil War veteran but one in Plymouth county, that being Andrew M. Crouch, of LeMars. The Sentinel is misinformed, as Akron has two surviving veterans of the Civil War: U. B. Kenaston, a resident here for many years, and P. P. Rice, who came here recently to make a home with his daughter, Mrs. Ziegler. Source: LeMars Sentinel  LeMars Sentinel, Monday, October 10, 1898: "Sudden death from heart disease. The community received a shock on Saturday on learning of the death of Wesley Armfield, one of the old residents of LeMars, which occurred very suddenly at his home on Franklin Street at about half past five. He called his wife, who got up to prepare breakfast, and he remained in bed. When she went to tell him breakfast was ready, she found that he was dead. He had been in his usual health, which was not of the best of late years, but had made no complaint. Heart disease is ascribed as the cause. The deceased was 56 years of age, having been born near Tipton Indiana on May 24, 1942. He served through the late war from '61 to '65 and took an active part in several bloody engagements, being a member of Company G First United States Sharpshooters. He has been a resident of LeMars for the past twenty-five years with the exception of two short intervals when he returned to Wisconsin for a brief time. For a number of years he has been employed with the firm of M A. Moore & Co. He was a good citizen and neighbor and enjoyed the friendship and esteem of a large number of the community in which he lived so long. He was twice married. His second wife to whom he was wedded in 1882, survives him and two sons and a daughter who reside at Montfort, Wisconsin. The latter were informed by telegraph of the death. The funeral was held on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock from the house on Franklin Street." Contributed by: phinkel@pacbell.net (was the Plymouth County newspaper head line which included a picture of Andrew Crouch on horseback in the parade mentioned) "One of Mr. Crouch's last public appearances was when he led the Decoration Day Parade here a number of years ago." Was Last Surviving Plymouth County Civil War Veteran Andrew W. Crouch, only surviving Plymouth County Civil War Veteran and one of this country's oldest residents, died at 10 p.m. Thursday, January 11, 1945, at his home in LeMars. Had he lived until February 16 he would have been 96 years old. Until the last few years, Mr. Crouch's health was good and he was often seen downtown looking after business affairs. Andrew W. Crouch was a native of the Empire state, but had been a resident of Iowa since 1874. He was born on a farm in Chautauqua County, New York, February 16, 1849. A son of M. F. and Mandana (Hogle) Crouch, both members of colonial families. Mandana Hogle's grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving for six years. M. F. Crouch's father was a drummer in the War of 1812, when a child he moved from Pennsylvania to New York state with his parents. The family moved to Grant County, Wisconsin, in 1858. M. F. Crouch came to LeMars in 1874 and settled on a farm in Plymouth County and moved to LeMars in 1878 where he lived until his death in 1900. Andrew Crouch was about eight years old when his parents moved from New York to Wisconsin. He received his education in the schools of Grant County. At the age of fifteen years and eight months he enlisted for service in the Union Army for the remainder of the Civil War, as a member of Company G, First Wisconsin Cavalry, attached to the Army of the Cumberland and served with that command for ten months, or until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Edgefield, Tennessee, July 19, 1865. During his term of service in the army Mr. Crouch saw much active service but never received a wound. His command was with Wilson on the latter's celebrated raid through Alabama and Georgia and Mr. Crouch retained vivid recollections of that notable expedition. Upon the completion of his military service, Andrew Crouch returned to his home in Wisconsin and engaged in farming with his father. He was married in 1871 to Magdalena Roesch. In 1874, he came with his parents to Plymouth County, locating in Liberty township, where for two years he lived on a rented farm. He then in 1876 bought a tract of eighty acres, paying $6.60 an acre and there farmed for five years, at the end of which time discouraged by the continued ravages of grasshoppers throughout this section returned to his former home in Wisconsin. Dissatisfied with conditions there after having lived in Iowa, Mr. Crouch returned to Plymouth County and bought a farm of 160 acres in Perry township, paying $7.50 an acre, and established his home. When he took possession of the place a few acres were broken and there was a small house. He proceeded to develop the land and soon had a fine farm, on which he continued to make his home until 1901, when he bought a tract of ten acres adjoining the city of LeMars on the southwest where he lived until 1910 when he moved into town. During his active years in farming he prospered in his operations and increased his holdings in Perry township to two hundred and forty acres of land. During his residence in Perry township he was chairman of the board of trustees for several years and was a member for eighteen years. He also served on the school board as director and secretary. After coming to live in LeMars, Mr. Crouch was engaged in the insurance and real estate business until his retirement. He was one of the charter members of Mower Post, G.A.R. and held offices in the organization at different times. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Crouch was a republican in politics and was an active worker in the party in his mature years. Mr. and Mrs. Crouch celebrated their seventy-third wedding anniversary on September 15, 1944. Mr. Crouch's death was the first in the family including all the descendants. The survivors besides his widow, are six children, Mrs. Conrad Hauff (Claudia) of Merrill, Oscar of Hinton, Mrs. Hyman Van Dyke (Mable) of Sioux City, Mrs. Wm Douglas (Cora) of Hampton, Mrs. Allen Lemon (Frankie) of Moscow, Idaho, and Mrs. Harold Pew (Esther) of LeMars. There are nineteen grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and one great great grandson. Five grandsons and three grandsons-in law are in the service and they are S. Sergt. Richard R. Pew in England, Sergt. Donald Douglas in the southwest Pacific, Lt. Clyde Van Dyke U. S. N. with the Pacific Fleet, Lt (jg) Dean Lemon, Salem, Oregon, V-12 Student Ralph Lemon, Maj Guy H. Todd in France, and Pfc Richard Stillinger and Pfc Raymond Hodapp both in the United States. William E. Bergman, a great grandson-in-law, was killed May 29, 1944, in Italy. The funeral servies were held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Methodist church. Rev. J. J. Share officiated at the services. The music was by the Methodist choir quartet. The pallbearers were grandsons and grandsons-in-law, Wm Pew, Lloyd Crouch, Warren Hauff, Dwight Hauff, Leo Graham and Albert Swanson. The interment was in the city cemetery and Wasmer Post of the American Legion was in charge of the services at the cemetery. Final Rites Held for Andrew Crouch, Plymouth Pioneer Full military honors were accorded Andrew W. Crouch, 96, Plymouth county's last survivor of the Civil War, who died Thursday night, at impressive services held Monday afternoon at the First Methodist Church in LeMars. The services were attended by a large number of people who gathered to honor the memory of a gallant soldier and pioneer settler of the community. Rev. J.J. Share conducted the services at the church and graveside services were in the charge of World War veterans, members of the American Legion, Wasmer Post, Company D, Iowa State Guard and men in service. The casket, draped with the national flag, was placed at the altar during the church service, with Fay Terpenning representing the G. A. R., and Leroy Crowley representing Wasmer Post, American Legion, at the head and foot, bearing the Stars and Stripes, at half mast. Presentation of arms was made as the casket was borne within the portals of the church, and at the conclusion of the service color bearers formed an escort, preceding the honorary pallbearers: John W. Strouse, Clarence Langendorfer, William Niehus, Fred Pashan, Vincent Harker, Vincent Conway, Roy Rounds, Ed Willging, Al Orban, Arthur Wetrosky, Henry Heidbrink, Frank Scholer, George Pavlik, Harvey Klukhohn, and Ray Claussen. The solemn ritual of the G. A. R. was impressively deliverd by Capt. J.G. Koenig followed by a parting volley by the firing squad and the final taps by buglers sounding in far away echoes. As final notes of the bugle sounded, Capt. Melvin R. Kanago and Lieut. Ernest E. Nelson withdrew the flag from the casket and presented it to the wife of the departed soldier. George Merritt and Cpl. William Boyle were color guards. Members of the firing squad were Walter F. Bogen, sergeant in charge, Sgt. Frank Luken, Sgt. Irving Smaltz, Cpl. Dale Becker, Walter Nussbaum, Roman Kovaleske, Cpl. Glenn Gearke, Frank Lauters, Cpl. Ray Orban. Buglers were Gerd Grahlman of Wasmer Post and Miss Carolyn Mischler. DesMoines. ---(AP)--- Ten, or more than half, of the state's Civil War veterans still living last May ---nearly 80 years after the conflict --- have died since then, Miss Amy Noll, secretary of the Iowa Grand Army of the Republic, said. Average age of the nine still living is 98. They are: Harrison R. Crecelius, Redding, 97; Michael Franz, Ottumwa, 100: Charles H. Lingenfelter, Dakota City, 103; James P. Martin, Sutherland, 97; Ebenezer G. McMurray, Iowa City, 100; Robert A. Millen, Melcher, 98; Frank L. Quade, Dubuque, 98; David Sisk, Marshalltown, 96; and John M. Gudgel, Shenandoah, 97. Those who died during the last 10 months were: John Avery, Clinton; Ancil O. Ash, Decorah; Andrew W. Crouch, LeMars; William H. Earnest, Seymour; Charles Hester, Indianola; George R. Martin, Rippey; Frank Ritter, Boone; Eiliott P. Taylor, Newton; Henry A. White, University Park; and John H. Burlingame, Evanston, Illinois.
DEATH OF DR. HACKETT Friday night at about 2 o'clock Dr. C. J. Hackett died at his rooms on Main St., aged 56 years. He had been sick for several months with dropsy and a complication of diseases. He was born in Louisa Co. VA August 27 1840 and was educated in his profession of medicine at the University of New York and at the Richmond Medical College. During the war he was connected with the medical department of Gen. A. P. Hill's command of the Confederate Army. He went to Sioux City from Virginia a few years after the war and practiced medicine there for several years, locating in LeMars in 1878. He enjoyed a large practice in LeMars. His skill as a surgeon and thorough knowledge of medicine gave him a great reputation in his profession. He was a man of generous impulse and had many friends. He was married about a year ago and his wife survives him. His sister, Mrs. Perkins, and her two daughters are the only other relatives in LeMars. A sister lives in Kansas City. During his long illness he has had the most kind and careful attention from his relatives and from his partner, Dr. Somers. The funeral services were held at St. George's Episcopal Church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The church was crowded to its utmost capacity by the old friends and acquaintances of the deceased. The pall bearers were Drs. Somers, Brick, Foster, Reeves, Cole and Mannen. The LeMars Sentinel, November 23 1896 Contributed by: Jan Stark
Jacob F. HEEB died at Sioux City on the 11th inst., aged 55 years. Speaking of him, the Tribune says: "Mr. Heeb was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1840 and moved to Dubuque in 1846 with his father, Anton Heeb, the Dubuque brewer. He was with General Price in his last raid through Kansas and took part in the battle of Westfort, Mo. He was married in 1869 to Susan Steemer of Potosi, Wis., and lived at LeMars from 1877 to 1890, when he came to Leeds and opened a hotel, which he was proprietor of at the time of his death." Contributed by: Mike Birkett Obit from the LeMars Public Library, 46 First St. SW, LeMars, IA 51031, newspaper not dated or labeled: LAST ROLL CALL - Roger B. MOLAMPY*, Civil War Veteran, Is Dead; Lived Here for Thirty Years; Was confined to Bed for Fourteen Weeks Before the End Came-Served Many Years on City Police Force and Was Well Known Roger B. Molampy, one of the pioneer residents of LeMars and a veteran of the Civil War, answered the last roll call on Monday afternoon. He had been confined to his bed for fourteen weeks before the end came to relieve his sufferings. He was taken sick in February with an internal trouble and eventually weakened and wasted way despite of the best of medical care and attention. during his last illness he was devotedly nursed by his daughter, who has been constantly at his bedside both night and day. Mr. Molampy complained of illness last November but stuck to his post on the police force until February, when he had to give (unreadable). He himself ascribed his illness to injury which he received when he (unreadable) strained himself internally when Colonel Roosevelt was in LeMars on September 3d. At that time Officers Molampy and Harrison of the local police force, in the course of their duty, boarded the train on which the ex-president was. When the train moved away from Sixth street, where Col. Roosevelt spoke, it was understood it would stop at the Union depot, but it did not and Molampy jumped off when the train was speeding out of town and had to run a hundred feet to retain his equilibrium after he touched ground. He strained himself inwardly at this time and subsequently always felt pain. While sick he was patient and cheerful, joked and told stories with those who came to see him and faced the inevitable bravely. Two friends went to see him one day asking how he felt, and he characteristically replied, "Never give up firing until the ammunition is gone." Last Thursday his daughter noted a change in his condition and from that time until Monday he sank rapidly. Roger Bernard Molampy was a native of Ireland, being born at Nanah, county of Tipperary, on October 16, 1845. When three years old his parents came to this country and located at Cohoes, NY where their son, Roger, grew to man's estate and earned the trade of plasterer and mason, which he followed all his life. After the civil War in which he served he returned to Cohoes and was united in marriage in 1868 with Miss Ellen Scanlon, with whom he lived in happy wedded life for twenty years until her death on June 10, 1888. To this union eight children were born, seven sons and a daughter. Three of the boys died in infancy. Those who mourn the loss of a good father are Philip Henry Molampy, Mary Francis, of this city, Roger S. Molampy, of Quinn, South Dakota; Cornelius Molampy, of Chicago, and Geo. Molampy, of this city. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Winnifred O'Connor, of New York City. When a youth of eighteen he volunteered to fight for his country and served in the closing years of the war in Company H, Fourth New York Heavy artillery. In the fall of 1864 when the army was in front of Richmond he was wounded and captured by the Confederates. the battery to which he was attached stuck in the mud and the guns and men were taken by a large force of the enemy. He was a prisoner for nine months in Libby prison, when an exchange of prisoners was made. The deceased was well known in LeMars, having been among the first comers, and had a very wide acquaintance in this and adjoining counties. He served for several years at different times on the city police force and made an efficient officer, being brave, cool and level-headed. He served during the administrations of Mayor A.P. Brown, Mayor N. L. Greer and Mayor J. F. Scharles. He was a skilled workman and an all around out of doors man, being a hunter, fisherman and gardener, with considerable knowledge of all these crafts. He was of a generous nature and warm hearted, possessed of a good deal of native wit and was popular with a great number of people. He was happy in his domestic relations, took a pride in his home and always aimed to have a model place. He was a member of Mower Post, G. A. R., of this city, and was held in high esteem by his old comrades. They will have charge of the funeral, which will take place this morning from the residence at the corner of Ninth and Cedar streets at half past nine o'clock. The remains will be interred beside those of his wife in the St. Joseph's cemetery. The pallbearers, old friends and companions of the dead man, are John B. Perkins, T. J. Boland, P. Considine, C. H. Jones, T. J. Carpenter and Washington Porter. *Note spelling in obit is "Molampy" all the way through, however on pension papers and applications, signature is "Molamphy". Also note in pension papers Roger refers to Civil War prison as "Salsburry Prison, NC" but obit refers to the prison camp as Libby prison. FROM ANCESTRY.COM: Database: American Civil War Soldiers Viewing records 2016532-2016532 of 2642757 Rodger Molamphy Residence: Occupation: Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 26 January 1864 in Watertvliet, NY at the age of 18 Enlisted in Company Batty H, 4th Heavy Artillery Regiment New York on 29 January 1864 Mustered out on 26 September 1865 in Washington, DC Sources: New York: Report of the Adjutant-General. (NYRoster) Published in 1894-1906 Per Pension Papers Obtained from the National Archives: Spent the winters of 1864-1865 in Salsburry Prison, N.C.*** during the Civil War (per affidavit hand-written by Rodger Molamphy) and developed severe varicose veins, rheumatism, and severe piles. He applied for an invalid pension and was granted a rate of $12.00 per month to commence August 6, 1890. On November 22, 1894 his pension was reduced to $8.00 per month. His lawyer petitioned to keep the pension at $12.00. December 18, 1894, the Bureau of Pensions allowed him to submit further evidence as to why the pension should not be reduced. January 9, 1885, Ira C. Munson, personal friend for the past 16 years, submitted an affidavit stating the severity of Rodger's disability; also, M. W. Richey, M.D., certified to the medical disability under the claim, saying he was not able to perform manual labor and is a constant sufferer from his disease. The reduction was reversed and he received a pension of $12 per month until April 4, 1911. He died May 29, 1911. Then son George J. and daughter Mary F. Molamphy, who nursed him at the family home at 623 Cedar St., LeMars, IA until his death, applied for reimbursement of $550.25 ($49 and $11.50 for physician, $10 for medicine; $350 for nursing and care; $108.25 for undertaker; $12.00 for livery; $5.00 for ice; $4.50 for wines and cordials). Listed assets of $800.00 (house and lot). Reimbursement was disallowed "for the reason that the pensioner left assets consisting of real estate of $800 assessed value, sufficient to meet the expense of his last sickness and burial", according to the Bureau of Pensions. Then Mary F. Molamphy asked for reimbursement of the pensions from April 4th until May 29th, the day of death because "he lived that long after drawing last pension". The Bureau replied she was not entitled to that because "the pension accrued to the date of death is not considered an asset of the estate nor is it liable for payment of the debts of the estate in any case whatsoever." ***Per Don't Know Much About the Civil War by Kenneth C. Davis, p. 351: "Georgia summer heat, disease, and inadequate food and medical care took a terrible toll: of the 45,000 prisoners at Camp Sumpter, at least 13,00 died. (Some have argued that the camp at Salisbury, North Carolina, was even worse. Although smaller than Andersonville, with only 10,000 prisoners, Salisbury saw a mortality rate of 34 percent, higher than Andersonville's 29 percent.) Contributed by: Deb Walsh
John Henry Morf, who lived outside Merrill, Iowa, served in the Sioux City Cavalry 1861-1864. The unit men fought under General Alfred Sully at the Battle of White Stone Hills, Dakota Territory. Biography from the unit roster: “Morf, John H. Age 29. Residence Sioux City, nativity Switzerland. Enlisted Sept. 25, 1861, as Second Corporal. Mustered Nov. 14, 1861. Promoted Fifth Sergeant Jan. 17, 1863. Transferred to Company I, Seventh Cavalry, July 14, 1863.”
"George Washington Oaks died at Westfield Monday night (April 7, 1913) at the advanced age of 81 years. He had been in poor health for some time, due largely to the infirmities incident to one of his age. He was an old soldier and served his country well in its time of need. He resided at Chatsworth for many years, but of late years made his home part of the time with his sons in Hawarden. His sons from here went to Westfield the first part of the week to be at his bedside in his last hours. Interment was made today in the cemetery at Adaville, Plymouth county" (Source: Hawarden Independent; Hawarden, Iowa; April 12, 1913) "DEATH OF GEORGE OAKS - He was One of the Pioneers of the Big Sioux Valley. "George Oakes, one of the pioneer residents of the Big Sioux Valley, died Monday (April 7, 1913) evening at 7 o'clock at the home of his son in Westfield. He was 81 years old and had been in poor health for some time past. Mr. Oakes was a veteran of the Civil War and his death will be mourned by his old comrades in arms. His wife died several years ago, but he is survived by several children, among them being Wm. and Joe, of Hawarden, Chas., of Chatsworth, John of Brockton, also a daughter (Mary) at Brockton, and a son (Phineas) at Westfield. "Funeral services were held at Westfield Saturday afternoon, the service being conducted by Rev. John Erb, of Hawarden. The remains were taken to Adaville for burial." (Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel; LeMars, Iowa; April 15, 1913) George W. Oaks was a Private in the 8th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, Company K. He enlisted September 30, 1864 in Dixon, Lee County, Illinois and was discharged July 17, 1865 at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri. (Source: National Archives; file designation SC 498-203) Contributed by: Doyle L. Oaks Information in Parenthesis was added by Doyle Plymouth County Pioneer Resident Called By Death (LeMars Sentinel, Sep 1933)
Contributed by Edwin Lackey
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