LONGWITH, WILLIAM [February 17, 1840 - June 24, 1928]
Civil War Veteran
    The rank and file of the Civil War veterans is rapidly being diminished. With the death of William Longwith, the number of surviving veterans in Schuyler is now only four. Mr. Longwith had been in ill health for the past few years with ailments and infirmities attendant to old age. He had been spending part of his time at his home in this city and part of the time at the soldiers' home [in] Grand Island. He left Schuyler recently to remain indefinitely at the home in Grand Island. His son, Albert C. Longwith of this city, had left Schuyler early Sunday morning for Grand Island to visit with his father and to attend the funeral of the late Millard F. Johnson, former resident of Schuyler. Mr. Longwith was met at the soldiers' home by Mrs. Johnson who apprised him of his father's death. The telephone call to Mr. Longwith early Sunday morning came after he had left for Grand Island.
    The remains were brought to this city Sunday evening and taken to the late residence in west Schuyler, where the funeral rites were conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. Perry J. Rushlau, the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of this city, officiating. Numerous beautiful floral offerings tenderly spoke the sympathy of friends. The remains were given military escort to the cemetery by the color bearers, guard, the firing squad with bugler of McLeod Post No. 47, American Legion. The pallbearers were also members of the legion post. The burial was with full military honors by the G. A. R. and the American Legion escort. Interment was made in Schuyler cemetery where rest the remains of a son, Francis Melroy Longwith, who passed away in Schuyler July 3, 1895, and where rest the remains of the wife who also passed away in Schuyler on December 24, 1926.. A son, Franklin, passed away a number of years ago when the family resided on their homestead near Leigh.
    William Longwith was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on February 17, 1840, and passed away at Grand Island, Nebraska, on June 24, 1928, at the ripe old age of 88 years, 4 months and 7 days. His father passed away on December 19, 1845, and his mother died on December 16, 1846. Mr. Longwith was left an orphan at the age of six years. The days of his early life were spent on a farm in his home county in Ohio. He was employed on the farm of the late Wallen Cameron, the father of M. D. Cameron, of Omaha. Mr. Cameron used to ride the horse for Mr. Longwith back in Hancock county, Ohio, while he did the plowing for his father. Soon after President Lincoln called for 75 thousand volunteers in April 1861, to suppress the rebellion, Mr. Longwith enlisted for three months' service in September 1861, in accordance with his country's call. Mr. Longwith enlisted in Hancock county, Ohio, in Company F, 21st Ohio infantry. When the three months' enlistment had expired, Mr. Longwith re-enlisted for the duration of the war, and served until the end of the rebellion. He was mustered out of the service on June 12, 1865. Mr. Longwith took an active part in 27 battles of the Civil war, among which were the important battles of Stone River, Chicamaugua, Lookout Mountain, and the Atlantic campaign.
    When home on a furloght he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret[h] Louisa Cole in Hancock county, Ohio, on February 3, 1864. Mr. Longwith had moved from Pickaway county to Hancock county in 1850 when he was only ten years of age.
    Mr. and Mrs. Longwith came west in 1873 and after a brief residence in Schuyler took up a homestead in Colfax county west of Leigh. They resided on their homestead until 1881 when they moved to Schuyler which city was their residence the remaining years of their lives. Mr. Longwith was the sexton at Schuyler cemetery for a number of years and was also engaged in the nursery business here for many years.
    The surviving relatives are two sons, Albert C., of Schuyler, and Dr. J.W. of Litchfield, Minn., and one daughter, Mrs. W. E. Welch of Sioux City, Ia. A daughter, Mrs. Hattie Cronn, the wife of William Cronn, passed away at Kimball on September 25, 1926. The deceased is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
    Mr. Longwith ranked among the pioneer residents of Colfax county and was a patriot and soldier who was one hundred percent loyal to his country an his country's flag. He took keen interest in all matters of public concern and was intensely interested in politics and public welfare. Mr. And Mrs. Longwith enjoyed a happy married life for a period of over 62 years. At Mr. Longwith's death we speak a community's honor and respect to a brave and patriotic soldier and to a highly respected citizen.
[Schuyler Sun - submitted by Tami Longwith]