PIERCE COUNTY NEBRASKA CIVIL WAR DATABASE - F

FIX, JOSEPH; Pierce

Kansas 1^st Cavalry

Sources: 1890 Veterans Census (Madison County)

1893 Nebraska Veterans Census

FOLSOM, CHARLES H.; Plainview

B: 15 April 1846 Dixmont, Maine D: 7 August1923 Newburgh, Maine

Burial: Memorial Cemetery; Plainview, Nebraska

Maine 1^st SS Regiment Company C – Private

Enlistment Date: 29 November 1864 Newburg, Maine

Maine 20^th Infantry Company C

Transfer Date: 21 June 1865

Mustered Out: 16 July 1865

Source: 1890 Veterans Census

1893 Nebraska Veterans Census

Sons of Union Veterans Database

The Plainview News; Plainview, Nebraska; 9 August 1923; Page 1

Former Pioneer Resident Plainview Dies in Maine

F. W. Pinney received a message from Bangor, Maine, Wednesday morning announcing the sudden death of C. H. Folsom at that place on Monday from a stroke of paralysis. Deceased was an early day resident of Plainview, being engaged in the produce business here for a number of years prior to his removal to Alva, Oklahoma, about fifteen years ago. He was spending his summer vacation at Bangor, Maine, with relatives and friends among the scenes of his childhood when he was taken suddenly ill and died from a stroke of paralysis. He was a prominent figure in business circles while residing here and his many Plainview friends will be sorry to learn of his death. We understand that the remains will be shipped here for burial on Saturday.

The Plainview News; Plainview, Nebraska; 16 August 1923; Page 1

Funeral of the Late C. H. Folsom Takes Place Sunday

The body of C. H. Folsom arrived here from Newburgh, Maine, Saturday afternoon and the funeral services were conducted from the Methodist church Sunday afternoon at three o’clock with the Rev. G. M. Bing in charge. The remains were laid at rest in the old cemetery in the east part of town, members of the G. A. R. and American Legion acting as escort and pallbearers.

Charles H. Folsom was born in Dixmont, Maine, April 15, 1846 and died in Newburgh, Maine, August 7, 1923. In February 1870, he was married to Kate A. Colson and to this union were born five children. Ernest Folsom, Fred Folsom, Mrs. Pearl Fink, Archie Folsom and Mrs. Hope Maxson. When a boy 18 years old Mr. Folsom in 1864 enlisted in the 20^th Maine Infantry, serving until the end of the war. In 1878 he moved to Nebraska taking a claim on government land near Plainview and moving into the town a few years later, he we went into business and for many years was one of the prominent merchants of Plainview. He left Plainview in 1904 and after a four years residence at Blair, he moved to Alva, Oklahoma, where he again engaged in the mercantile business and where he lived up to the time of his death. While on a visit to the old home in Maine this summer he had a stroke of paralysis and after an illness of several weeks he passed away August 7, 1923. There are left to mourn his loss his wife, two of the children, Archie Folsom and Mrs. Hope Maxson, both of Alva, Oklahoma, and eight grandchildren.

FORBES, GEORGE W.; Pierce

B: 1 March 1847 Illinois D: 22 March 1922 Minnesota Burial: Oakland

Cemetery; Saint Paul, Minnesota

Iowa 13^th Infantry Company H - Private

Enlistment Date: 30 November 1863 Marshall County, Iowa

Wounded: 22 July 1864 at Atlanta, Georgia (Right arm wound)

Discharge because of Wounds: 27 October 1864

Sources: 1883 Pensioner (loss of right arm)

Sons of Union Veterans Database

FORBES, M. C. (Marena or Marcena); Plainview (Antelope County)

B: April 1848 Illinois D: September 1901 Burial: Plainview Memorial

Cemetery

Sources: 1883 Pensioner (Antelope County) (spinal irritation)

Cemetery Record

Pierce County Call; Pierce, Nebraska; 20 September 1901

M.C. Forbes, an old soldier of Crawford Valley, died Wednesday of Bright’s disease. He will be buried in the Plainview cemetery Thursday.

FORBES, NATHAN (Forbs) (Antelope County)

B: 26 December 1842 Ogle County, Illinois D: 14 October 1929 Hot

Springs, South Dakota; Burial: Pleasant View Cemetery; Plainview, Nebraska

Illinois 26^th Infantry Company B - Private

Enlistment Date: 15 August 1861 Freeport, Illinois

Discharged: 28 August 1864

Sources: Cemetery Records

Sons of Union Veterans Database

The Plainview News; Plainview, Nebraska; 17 October 1929; Page 1

Civil War Veteran is Called to Last Reward

Nathan S. Forbes, aged civil war veteran, passed away at the Old Soldier’s home at Hot Springs, South Dakota, on Monday, Oct. 14, 1929, following a brief illness. He was born in Ogle county, Illinois, December 26, 1842, being eighty-six years, ten months and nineteen days of age at the time of his death.

He enlisted in the Union army of the Civil war at the age of eighteen years, and served in Company B, 26^th Illinois Infantry, for a period covering three years.

He was married to Miss Jennie Drane, January 26, 1870. To this union were born two daughters and one son. The children of the first marriage are Mrs. J. E. Weaver of Brunswick, Mrs. W. H. Gable of Colome, South Dakota, and J. Walter Forbes of Brunswick. In 1887 he was married to Miss Theresa Davis. To this union three sons were born, Leonard M. and Russell N., both of Plainview, and Leslie, who passed away at the age of one year.

He was numbered among the earliest of settlers of Antelope county, having homesteaded 160 acres one mile south of what is now Copenhagen in 1880, where they continued to make their home for many years. He is survived by his widow, one sister, Mrs. Jennie Shermer of Plainview, five children, fifteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. All of the living children were present at the funeral services.

Owing to his advanced age, and in order that he might have the best of care, he and Mrs. Forbes entered the soldiers’ home at Hot Springs, South Dakota, several years ago. He was a well known character in Antelope and Pierce counties, and had the respect of all who knew him. He was kind and charitable to one and all and his going will be mourned by his large circle of friends.

The funeral services were held from the Crawford Valley M. E. church on Wednesday afternoon at two o’clock with the Rev. E. A. Smith in charge, after which the remains were brought to Plainview and interment made in the old cemetery in the east part of town. A squad of fourteen members of the local American Legion acted as a military escort and firing squad at the grave. The local Women’s Relief corp was also represented by a delegation of its members.

FORSYTH, JOSEPH; Pierce

B: 14 September 1837 Moneymoore, Ireland D: 30 October 1922 Pierce,

Nebraska Burial: Prospect View, Pierce, Nebraska

New York 186^th Infantry Company D - Corporal

Enlistment Date: 25 August 1864

Mustered Out: 26 May 1865 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sources: 1890 Veterans Census

1893 Nebraska Veterans Census

Cemetery Record

Pension File

Sons of Union Veterans Database

Pierce County Call; Pierce, Nebraska; 3 November 1922; Page 1

Old Soldier Answers the Final Roll Call

Joseph Forsyth, A Resident of Pierce County for 43 Years, Died Monday Morning

This community was saddened Monday morning upon learning of the death of Joseph Forsyth, one of our country’s honored veterans of the Civil War, who passed away at his home in the southeast part of town Monday morning at 6:35 o’clock.

Mr. Forsyth has been ill but a little over a week from a general break down, due to old age, but in spite of this his many friends hoped for his early recovery.

Mr. Forsyth was loved by all our people. He was seen on our streets nearly every day and always had a pleasant word for those he met. He had a happy good natured disposition which brought sunshine and joy to all.

For the past 17 years he was mail carrier on R.F.D, No. 3 and you can imagine that a person with the cheerful disposition of “Uncle Joe” made friends of every one on the route.

He resigned his position 3 years ago having reached the age limit required by Congress, and was pensioned by the Government. He should have resigned 3 years previous, having reached the age of 71 years, but was allowed to serve 3 years longer in order to come under the act of Congress relating to the retirement of mail carriers. He had distinction of being one of a few mail carriers in Nebraska that had carried mail for 17 continuous years.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by Rev. C. V. Powell, of Wausa, a former pastor here. He was assisted by Rev. S. A. Draise, the local pastor.

The music was furnished by a quartet choir, consisting of Mesdames M. H. Leamy and Geo. E Drebert and Messrs. Bryon Vanderpool and Ernest Manske, with Miss Mary Leamy as accompanist.

The pall bearers were Messrs. E. A. Kinkaid, Lewis Hall, W. N. Dean, Harvey Knouse and J. B. McDonald, all sons of veterans. Messrs. Chas. Worker, J. W. Dunn, Jacob Knouse, Wilson Hall, Jas. Williams and Joseph Booker, old veterans were honorary pall bearers.

The audience that filled the church was present to do honor to one of the nation’s honored dead.

The floral offerings were many and very beautiful while the casket was covered with “Old Glory”, the flag of our country, which he loved and carried on somany patriotic occasions while he lived among us.

The children present were Mrs. Francis Shipman, of Opportunity, Nebraska, Mrs. George Kinkaid, of near Hartington, Robert Forsyth of Neligh, N. A. Forsyth, Butte, Montana and Frank Birch, of Foster. One daughter, Mrs. Lee Poynter, of Elizabeth, Minnesota, was unable to be present on account of illness.

The following tribute was read at the last sad rites, which we print in full:

Joseph Forsyth was born in the village of Moneymoore, county Derry, Ireland, on September 14, 1837, and departed this life at Pierce, Nebraska, on the morning of October 30, being 85 years, 1 month and 16 days of age.

At eleven years of age his parents emigrated to Cornwall, Canada, embarking for that country at Belfast in June, 1849, in a sailing vessel and after a stormy passage, lasting six weeks and three days, they landed at Quebec.

Here he was apprenticed to printer and remained at that work for nearly five years. About 1850 his family moved to Du Puyster, St. Lawrence county, New York, leaving him in Cornwall. He later went to Herkimer county, remaining there a year when learning of his mother’s illness he returned to his home staying there until after her death.

In the year 1861 he was married to Lucy E. Hastings. In the same year he felt the impulse of patriotism and enlisted in Company D, 186^th New York Volunteers. In January, 1865 while with his regiment in Petersburg he received a letter from Captain Day, sent from Washington, D. C., informing him of the destruction by fire of his father’s house in which his father, step-mother, her parents, his sister and his baby perished. The news almost drove him to insanity, and so many furloughs were being granted that the order had gone out that no more were to be given. Friends took the matter up with General Griffin, who recommended a thirty day leave of absence, and the order was signed by General Grant for his transportation. His trip took him through Washington, and while waiting for his train out, passed by the White House. Present Lincoln was outside of the building, and ordered, the guard to admit Mr. Forsyth, the later telling him of his trouble and the kindhearted President was very sympathetic, showing him through the building and on his departure gave him his blessing.

On his arrival home he found conditions so deplorable that he overstayed his time, returning to his company four days late, but his superiors were very kind and he was not even reprimanded.

He was in the battle of Petersburg, April 2, 1865, there receiving wounds which disabled him, and he was taken to the hospital, where hasty attention was given him. Then he was sent to the Washington military hospital and later to Philadelphia where proper attention could be given him. After weeks of severe suffering he recovered, and on July 21, 1865, he received an honorable discharge and he immediately returned home.

Mr. Forsyth conducted his farm in New York to 1879, then sold out and came to Nebraska taking up a homestead in Pierce county, and resided on it for eighteen years—his wife’s death occurring there in January 1897 and afterwards he settled in town.

In the year 1898, he was married to Mrs. Mary Bell Johnson. He rented a farm near town, carrying it on up to 1903, where sold every thing and moved to Pierce. In June of the following year he was appointed mail carrier on rural route number three. He held that position for 17 years never failing to make his route only when it was impossible for man and beast to travel. All his patrons were his friends from the oldest to the baby in the cradle. Tears were in every eye and words of regret were upon every eye and words of regret were upon every lip when he resigned.

Two daughters Mary Jane age 2 and one-half years and Mrs. Nina Snyder have preceeded Mr. Forsyth to that heavenly home.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife and his children: Mrs. Mary Poynter, of Elizabeth, Minn., Mrs. Frances Shipman of Opportunity, Nebr., Mrs. Cassie Kinkaid, of Hartington, Mr. Robert Forsyth of Neligh; Dewey and Mrs. Lucy Hayes of Pierce; also Mr. Frank Birch whom Mr. Forsyth raised from seven years until grown and Norman A. Forsyth whom he adopted when 5 years of age. He also has 22 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He leaves countless friends in whose hearts there is an aches of loneliness for him who always greeted everyone with a smile and hearty handshake.

In early boyhood he gave his heart to God and joined the Methodist church.

He was superintendent and worked in Sunday Schools when he first came to Nebraska. He said to the writer that God had been good to him and he regretted not being more faithful to the loving Heavenly Father.

Brother Forsyth was a brave soldier believing in those high principles that so marked the life of our heavenly Father. In his last illness he said that he was willing to leave everything in the hands of the Devine and gracious heavenly father.

Dear Friends and sojourners, to the judgment bar of God, no greater thing can any one say than by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ “I am ready to risk my life in my heavenly Father’s hand.

FOUTZ, JOSEPH; Pierce

B: About 1831 Ohio

Ohio 131^st Infantry Company F

Enlistment Date: 2 May 1864

Mustered Out: 25 August 1864 in Camp Chase, Ohio

Sources: 1890 Veterans Census

FRYER, ANDREW S.; Plainview

B: Ohio Burial: Willowdale Cemetery; Brunswick, Nebraska

Ohio 88^th Infantry Company K - Private

Enlistment Date: 20 November 1863

Mustered Out: 3 July 1865 Camp Chase, Ohio

Sources: 1890 Veterans Census (Antelope County)

1893 Nebraska Veterans Census

Pension File

Sons of Union Veterans Database