Obit: Pulsifer, John Bernard (2 Oct 1876 - 1 Jan 1899)

Contact: PULSIFER OWEN

Surnames: PULSIFER OWEN

----Source: Clark County Republican Press (Neillsville, Wis.) 01/05/1899

Pulsifer, John Bernard (2 Oct 1876 - 1 Jan 1899)

John Bernard Pulsifer died at the home of his parents in this city (Neillsville, Clark County), Sunday morning, Jan. 1, 1899 aged 22 years and three months.

At the dawn of the New Year the spirit of Bernard passed away from its earthly body, freed from all suffering. Death was not unexpected for hopes of his recovery had been given up several days prior. Taken immediately upon his arrival home from Puerto Rico with pneumonia and later on with typhoid fever, his overworked and weakened constitution was unable to withstand the ravages of disease.

John Bernard Pulsifer, only child of John and Ida Pulsifer, was born at Skowhegan, Maine, Oct. 2, 1876 died at 2:20 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 1, 1899 aged 22 years and three months. Eighteen years ago he, with his parents, came to Neillsville, and with the exception of a course in the La Crosse Commercial College, had resided in this city continuously all these years.

Some time in February of last year he became a member of Co. A., Third Wis. National Guard. When the company was called out April 28th to protect the Nation's honor, he went to Milwaukee, passed examination and enlisted as a private in Co. A. Third Wis. Vols. left Milwaukee May 19th for Chickamauga. Here he was detached from the company and became a member of the hospital corps. Went to Charleston, where he took boat for Puerto Rico, landing some time in July. He remained till Dec. 5th as ward master in hospital, receiving an honorable discharge. He arrived home Dec. 13th and was taken almost immediately to his bed, which he never left.

Funeral was held from the armory Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. T. G. Owens officiating. The remains were escorted to the cemetery by Co. A., the G.A.R. and W.R.C. After the lowering of the body to its earthly home, three volleys were fired over the grave and the bugler sounded "taps". Here he will rest till reveille sounds on the morn of resurrection, when he will meet his comrades and relatives.

Bernard was a universal favorite with Neillsville's populace and a young man full of promise. While on duty in the hospital he was kind to a fault to comrades under his care, and his discharge, which reads "honest and faithful in his duties," is a glowing tribute of his service to his country. His presence will be missed by all, and to his relatives his death is indeed a sad blow.