Obit: King, George R. (1846 - 1934)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: King, Wicker, Dean, Brown, Haag, Lawler, Gordon, Wolfe, Pepper

----Sources: Humbird Enterprise (Humbird, Clark County, Wis.) Sat., 5 Jan. 1935

King, George R. (2 Aug. 1846 - 29 Dec. 1934)

Private George R. King, last solider of the civil war residing in this vicinity, and the last member of Co. I, 14th, Wis. Vol. Inf., answered the final roll call 3:00 o’clock Saturday morning, Dec. 29, 1934.

Mr. King’s health had been failing for the past few years, due to the infirmities of age, and during the last month he was confined to his bed most of the time.

George R. King was a native of Illinois, born in the town of Weston, in Jo Davis County, Aug. 2, 1846, son of Geo. W King. The following year the family moved to Grant County, in this ate, and in 1856 came to Clark County, the father becoming a lumberman of the pioneer days, and he was also the first district attorney of this county. The son grew to young manhood in this village, and at the outbreak of the war he enlisted, but on account of his youth was rejected. Again he enlisted as the call came from Lincoln for more troops, and again he was left behind when the recruits marched to the front. And again the call came for volunteers, and this time Pvt. King was in the ranks. He saw service during the last year and a half of the rebellion and was in the engagement at Nashville and the skirmishes thereabouts and took part in the siege of Mobile.

At the close of the war, Mr. King returned home, and for a number of years followed the river on the log drives to La Crosse. On May 3, 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Anna Wicker, and their home for a number of years was on the place west of town. Their fiftieth wedding anniversary was happily celebrated in 1924. Mrs. King passed away March 9, 1934, two months previous to their sixtieth anniversary.

Mr. King was the last member of his father’s family. He is survived by four children, Edward M., of Seattle; Mrs. Edna Lawler, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Mrs. Gertrude Gordon, of Faribault, Minn.; and Paul I., of Humbird. There are fifteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A daughter died in infancy. He attained the age of 88 years, 4 months and 27 days.

Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at the F. M. Church, Rev. E. A. Wolfe preaching the sermon. The flag-draped casket was borne by Legionnaires, and the Melcher-Matti post acted as escort. The choir sang: "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground," "The Battle Cry of Freedom," and "Rock of Ages." Many years ago the deceased was a member of the G. A. R., and the burial rites of the Grand Army were given by Com. John W. Pepper, of Eagle Post, Eau Claire. He was assisted by C. H. Dean, H. H. Brown, and B. G. Haag, commander of the Sons of Union Veterans Camp of Eau Claire. The firing squad of Neillsville National Guard Company fired the volley o’er the grave in Mentor Cemetery.

During the World War, Mr. King had charge of the service flag which he faithfully displayed each day and carefully folded it away at dusk. For many years he tolled the bell at the burial of a neighbor. Not a flag was seen save the colors of the post, and the bell was silent Monday. Perhaps it was a greater tribute to Humbird’s last old solider.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to most sincerely thank all the friends and neighbors for their many kindnesses at the time of the death of our beloved father, Geo. R. King; also we wish to thank the Post members, the minister, the choir, those whose sent flowers, and those who furnished autos.

The Children.