Only 4 Veterans Left in Post at Forest City
The ranks of the Haydan Post, No. 151, G.A.R., which was organized at Forest City March 8, 1883, with a membership of 40, have thinned out to the membership of four, only three of whom will be able to attend the Forest City Memorial Day services. The four remaining members are: Andrew Charlson, 86; Luther C. Green 81; Andrew Brones 83; and Adolphus Jones 83.
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Andrew Charlson
Andrew Charlson, who will be 87 next October, lives with his son, Joe Charlson, on the old home farm near Forest City. He is confined in his bed most of the time. In 1864 he first exercised his right of franchise by voting for Abraham Lincoln. It was in that year that he joined the Union army becoming a member of Company I, forty-third Wisconsin volunteer infantry. At the close of the war he came with is widowed mother to Winnebago county in 1866. They bought a small tract of land as a beginning. He now owns 800 acres of valuable land. |
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Luther C. Green
Luther C. Green, who will be 82 years old June 4, 1928, enlisted with the New York one hundred sixty-eighth infantry, August, 1864 and served until the close of the war, April, 1865. He saw General Grant and Abraham Lincoln at Petersburg April 2, 1865 just 12 days before Lincoln's assassination. He was at Burkesville Junction April 4, 1865, when Robert E. Lee surrendered.
He came to Forest City in 1868 as a bricklayer and was elected the first marshal of Forest City when the town was incorporated in 1878. He is still in fair health and performs his duties as court bailiff when that body is in session. |
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Andrew Brones
Andrew Brones, a native of Norway, was born June 23, 1845. In 1864 he enlisted in Co I, forty-third Wisconsin volunteer infantry, and remained in the service until the close of the Civil war. After being mustered our, he joined the family in Winnebago county, whither they had moved early in the spring of 1865.
He then attended the public schools of Forest City and later was a student at Upper Iowa university. For many years he was identified with educational work and for 6 years served as county superintendent of schools of Winnebago county during the '80's. In 1866 he purchased the farm which he still owns. At the age of 36 he married Emma Jacobs. They are at present retired and live on the home farm which their son, Alfred G., and family, operate. |
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Adolphus Jones
Adolphus Jones was born in south Wale January, 1845 and came with his parents to America in October, 1852. He enlisted in Company H, forty-sixth Illinois infantry in 1861 but was discharged on account of his age. He re-enlisted in February, 1864 with Company F, one-hundred-forty-seventh Illinois infantry. On Jan. 28 1865, he came home on furlough and married Nora J. Silkworth of Sycamore, Ill. He went back to the war and after doing detached service was mustered out at Savannah, Ga., April, 1866.
Before the war he heard the famous Lincoln-Douglas debate at Sycamore, Ill., and during the war saw U.S. Grant at Vicksburg, Miss., and Waynesboro, Ga. His first presidential vote was cast for U.S. Grant.
He came with his family to Forest City in 1872 where he engaged in his trade of plastering and brick laying. He and his wife enjoy good health and still keep house in a cozy modern bungalow. He still acts as court bailiff together with L.C. Green. |
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