Surnames: Holeton, Fergerson (Ferguson), Cole, Jurdee (Jerdee), McKinley, Hayes, Wagner, Holmstead (Homsted), Hyer, Johnson, Jisjar, Jensen, Petrie

----Source: ABBOTSFORD TRIBUNE (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 14 May 1931

Holeton, George W. (9 July 1840 - 9 May 1931)

GEO. W. HOLETON, MARATHON COUNTY PIONEER, BURIED TUESDAY AFTERNOON

George W. Holeton, son of Richard S. and Mary Ann Holeton, was born in Poland, Mahoning county, Ohio, July (unreadable), 1840, and in which community he grew to manhood.

He was united in marriage to Emily Ann Fergerson at Niles, Ohio, on April 4, 1867, who preceded him in death February 16, 1921.

Surviving are four children, Ralph C. of Wausau, Wis., Gertrude E. Cole of Decatur, Ill., George R. of Olds, Alberta, Canada, and Mary Maude Jurdee of Arkdale, Wis., also 11 grand children and 5 great grand-children.

When President Lincoln issued his first call for volunteers, Mr. Holeton, then 20 years of age, enlisted as a private in Company (unreadable) 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and on June 8th, 1861, was appointed corporal. On April 13, 1865 (**Note: other obit says 1863), he was made sergeant and on April 20, 1865 after having re-enlisted, he was commissioned second lieutenant under Captain William McKinley, with Rutherford B. Hayes as major of the regiment, both of whom later became Presidents of the United States.

He participated in 22 battles and a number of skirmishes and was wounded in the right leg September 14, 1862, at South Mountain, Md., where he lay for two days in an orchard before found. Later he was taken to a temporary hospital in Philadelphia, from where he returned to his regiment. He was also wounded on several other occasions, and received his honorable discharge August 3, 1865.

On May 9, 1931, at the age of 90 years and 10 months, Mr. Holeton, after a short illness, passed to the great beyond. He was a member of the Abbotsford Presbyterian church, a member of the Masonic and Eastern Star lodges of Abbotsford and the last member of the G. A. R. Post of Colby, and also the last Civil War Veteran in the village of Abbotsford, Wis.

Mr. Holeton has been a resident of the village of Abbotsford for more than twenty years, living a life above reproach, a living example to our younger men, many of whom have profited greatly by having come in contact with so great and so good a man as he.

Mr. Holeton has been very active until the past winter when his eye-sight failed him. Last July when he celebrated his ninetieth birthday he spent part of the evening at the band concert in the park and during the day entertained many friends who called to extend him greetings.

But he is gone! Another name is stricken from the ever lessening roll of our old settlers. Few of us will live as long or as well, and fewer yet will the angel of death greet with such a loving touch. In such a death there is no cause for grief. His life work was done and well done.

The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon with a short service at the home at 1:30 and at the Armory at 3 o'clock conducted by the Rev. Chas. Wagner, Presbyterian minister of Athens.

He was accorded military honor by Hq. Bty. attending in a body and furnishing a firing squad at the grave. Members of the Colby W. R. O., the American Legion and Eastern Star and Masonic orders of Abbotsford were in attendance. The Masons having charge of the casket and also the services at the cemetery in Abbotsford where burial was made.

Besides the many beautiful floral offerings the casket was draped with a large American flag, a fitting tribute to his services to his country.

Among the relatives and friends from out of town attending the funeral were: Mrs. L. M. Cole of Decatur, Ill., Mr. Lewis Holmstead of Ashland, Wis., Mrs. John Hyer of East Chicago, Ind., Ray Holeton of Owen, Mrs. S. A. Jurdee, Mrs. Selma Johnson, Mrs. Earl Jisjar and Dr. and Mrs. G. J. Jensen of Arkdale.

Ralph Holeton of Wausau, was unable to be present on account of (unreadable) illness, and it was (unreadable) Olds, Alberta, Canada, to be present.

----Source: ABBOTSFORD TRIBUNE (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) 21 May 1931

CHILDREN THANKFUL FOR CARE GIVEN FATHER

The children of George W. Holeton who were here to attend his funeral last week, wish to take this means of thanking Miss Flora Petrie for the kind and constant care she gave their father during her stay with him. *** Note: The rest of the article was cut off.