Surnames: Darton, Ward, Catlin, Ashley, Brasure

----Source: The Loyal Tribune, 07 January 1943

Darton, Albert E. (5 DEC 1841 - 30 DEC 1942)

Albert Ellsworth Darton, 98, one of Wisconsin’s few remaining Civil war veterans and the last one in this area, died at his home in the village Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 30, 1942. He had enjoyed splendid health for one of his age until last October. Since then he had been confined to his bed much of the time.

Mr. Darton, on of a family of 10 children, was born in Toronto, Canada, on Dec. 5, 1841, and came to this country with his parents at the age of four years. They settled in Hartford, in Washington county.

After his marriage to Ann Eliza Ward on May 6, 1906, at Sheboygan county and then moved to a farm in Clark county. They lived on this farm until they moved to the village of Loyal 24 years ago last August. The rest of their lives were spent here.

While living on their farm both Mr. and Mrs. Darton became members of the little country church in Beaver township, and after coming to the village, the helped support the Methodist church here.

Mrs. Darton preceded her husband in death on May 21, 1928.

Mr. Darton is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Frank (Nettie) Catlin, town of Unity; by a sister, Mrs. Alice Ashley, Columbus, O., and a brother, Arthur Darton, Loyal. Another daughter, Mrs. Rhoda Brasure, of Rockford, Ill., died several years ago.

A grandson, Allie Drake, made his home with his grandparents for many years, and Mr. and Mrs. Drake and children have given kind care and consideration to Mr. Darton in his old age.

When a boy of 17 years, Mr. Darton tried to join the Union army, but his father prevented this, and after his father was taken into the army he, being the oldest son, had to remain at home to care for the family. Upon the return of his father, Mr. Darton enlisted in Company D, 45th Wisconsin Volunteers at Fond du Lac. His regiment camped in the Cumberland mountains, and his time was spent on picket duty, train duty or patrol duty.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, at the home at 1:30 and in the Methodist church at 2 o’clock.

Bearing beautiful floral offerings, Mrs. Clem Rous, Mrs. Frank Oestreich, Mrs. V. O. Kauffman, Mrs. Perry Volk, Mrs. G, W. Nelson and Mrs. William Trindal were the first of the funeral procession to enter the church. Following the minister, the Rev. M. E. Taylor who was to officiate at the church services, were the pallbearers, Ray Prior, Ed Vick, Hal Voight, Roy Hales, Roy Pengelly and Walter Gray, fellow members of the deceased in the Masonic lodge. Members of the local Masonic organization attended in a body.

Behind the flag draped casket and the mourners were the members of the American Legion with Philip Capelle, color bearer of the American Legion flag; Edd Dobbe, bearer of the American Legion emblem banner, and Percy Voight, Leo Meyer, Jesse Raab and Henry Boe serving as color guard.

Accompanying them was Edward Bertz Jr., president of the senior class of the Loyal high school who carried the old flag of the former GAR post, of which Mr. Darton was a member.

Several years ago the then few remaining members of the GAR, in a fitting ceremony, gave their flag into the custody of each succeeding senior class.

The hymns were sung by Mrs. Roy Prior, Mrs. Calvin Prior, R. B. Colby and J. R. Colby, with Mrs. Arnold Wicklund as accompanist.

In spite of the severity of the storm a large procession accompanied the body to the Greenwood cemetery for burial services. Masonic rites were held at the grave. The curial ritual was delivered by Past Master Clem Rous. Mr. Darton had been a charter member of the society.

The county organization of the American Legion was represented by County Commander Harry Roehrborn, County Service Officer John M. Peterson and a member of the American Legion Post of Neillsville.

And with a last salute by the Legion firing squad and the sounding of taps by Charles Theisen, our last Civil war veteran was laid to reat, now numbered with our "Grand Army of the Dead."

Albert Darton is also featured in the book, "Civil War Soldiers in the heart of Clark Co., Wisconsin."