Alexander Armstrong Talbott 1826-1907

TALBOTT, STANTON, STINE, MITCHELL, GREENLEY

Posted By: Georgea Clinton (email)
Date: 5/6/2011 at 12:48:53

July 16, 1907 - Carroll Sentinel - Last Saturday morning the sad news of the sudden death of A.A. Talbott was received in this city. It was a great shock to his relatives and friends for no one had the least suspicion that he was not in his usual good health. Saturday the remains were brought to this city and taken to the home of his daughter Mrs. G.M. Stanton.

Yesterday the funeral services were held at the Methodist church of which denomination he had been a faithful and consistent member for over fifty years. The services were conducted by Rev. Taylor who preached the funeral sermon. The members of the Grand Army and the Masonic order, of which he was a member, attended in a body. The pallbearers were selected from the membership of these two organizations.

The services were largely attended and the floral tributes were beautiful, which served as silent monitors of the love and esteem in which the patriot and citizen was held by his family and friends. After the services were conducted at the church the Masonic order took charge of the remains and laid them to rest by the side of his loving wife who had preceded him to the other side of the mysterious river of death. The monitorial services of the order were observed at the grave.

The last year of his life have been exceedingly pleasant, he making annual visits to the several homes of his children. Just recently returning from a visit with his son at Audubon. He left July 2 to stay during the heated season with his son, W.W. Talbott and family at Lake Okoboji. He was enjoying his usual good health until Thursday July 11, while out for a walk he was taken ill and was assisted to the cottage where he was made comfortable. There being no serious symptoms as he was relieved at once and stated he would be all right in a short time. He apparently dropped off to sleep no fear being entertained but in a few minutes the family hearing a deep sigh went to his assistance. They found the end had come probably while asleep.

Alexander A. Talbott was born in Morgan county, Ind. February 21, 1826, and died at Arnold's Park, Iowa July 12, 1907, at the age of 81 years. He came to Iowa with his parents and settled in Iowa county. On Nov. 2, 1854 he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy A. Greenlee. To this union there were born nine children, seven of whom are now living. They are: W.W. Talbott of Ames, J.F. of Rogers, Ark., 0.B. of Audubon, B.L. and Mrs. J.D. Stine of Worland, Wyo., Mrs. G.M. Stanton and Mrs. L.S. Mitchell of Carroll.

The good old mother who had shared in the joys and the sorrows of the husband for fifty years, died at Audubon where she had gone on a visit, and was buried in the cemetery in this city.

Eight years after his marriage, the war of the rebellion having broken out, he enlisted in company G, 28th Iowa infantry and served his country with distinction for three years of the most active period of the war. During this time he took part in many of the hardest fought battles under Sherman, Grant, and Sheridan. He was with Grant in the memorable siege and final surrender of Vicksburg. In 1864 his regiment was transferred to the east under the command of General Sheridan.

Then he took part in all the engagements of the Red River campaign and was at the battle of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek where by the timely arrival of General Sheridan, defeat was turned to victory and as the general said they made coffee of Cedar Creek water that evening. Mr. Talbott was transferred to the hospital service where he remained until the summer of 1865 when he joined his regiment at Savanah, GA. and in August of that year was honorably discharged from the service.

Mr. Talbott made an excellent record as a soldier and did his part in a manner to reflect credit upon the American soldiery, the best of any land. He had two brothers in the war, one of whom died in Andersonville prison, and he also had a brother who served in the Mexican war.

In 1875 Mr. Talbott moved to Carroll county and located on a farm just south of the Middle Coon river about two miles south of this city. There he remained until 1890 when he moved to Carroll and retired from the active labor in which he had been engaged from youth. During the remainder of his life he enjoyed a well earned rest surrounded by relatives and friends. His latter days were of that peaceful nature that is a fitting close for those who have led the active life of our departed citizen, whose loss we all sincerely regret and at whose grave we all lay a tribute of love and respect.