Drown, Charles A. 1837 - 1920

DROWN, ALLEN, DAVIS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 7/6/2013 at 02:34:39

Postville Herald, Fri., 21 May 1920.

Charles Drown, the last survivor of the Civil War resident in North McGregor, died May 4th in his 83rd year. He had been an employee of the Milwaukee railway for 53 consecutive years.

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Added by S. Ferrall 5/12/2019:

Passing of North McGregor's Last Soldier of the Civil War

Charles Drown was born September 4, 1837, at Buckman, Clinton Co., New York. His early boyhood days were spent there, and with the trend of westward immigration, he came west.

When the call for volunteers was issued for the civil war, he enlisted in Company D., Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, serving until honorably discharged, when he came to North McGregor to make his home, one of the earliest of our pioneers.

June 4, 1876, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary E. Davis, who with one daughter Nellie, and two sons, Herbert and Lester, and four grandchildren, survive the passing of a good, honorable husband and father.

Mr. Drown had been a faithful employe of the Milwaukee company for fifty three years, entering their service when the road was built only a few miles west of North McGregor. His undaunted ambition kept him at his employment until his strength had nearly ceased, and only the calling of the Master made him realize that his hours of faithful service to the home he always made comfortable, and to his employers, were nearing the end, and at noon, Tuesday May 4, 1920, he answered the last roll call, a valiant soldier in heart and mind to the last.

A familiar association with his friends and co-workers brought out the steadfast unassuming character of the man whose every thought was for the comfort of those about him.

He reached the full four score years and more, eighty-two years and eight months, and had lived them as he often said, "For my country, family and friends, an honest, upright life. When the last taps sound, I am ready to go." In this spirit of christian faith his life of years in service reached the close, and the loved ones will miss him in the home, and friends will miss his familiar greeting. To them sincere sympathy is extended.

The funeral services were held at the M.E. church Thursday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev. Crumb paying a fine tribute to his life work, and the memory of the years of service.

The casket was draped with the U.S. flag and beautiful flowers. Six of the young service men of the world war were honorary pallbearers - Mack Cotant, Harold Rehm, Andrew Dahmen, Elmer Langlie, Ernie Lang, Roy Trawin.

Active pallbearers - L.A. Monty, W.H. Soan, E.C. Forris, J.A. Hervison, H.A. Schurtzman, Geo. D. Wells.

Interment in Oakland cemetery.

~North Iowa Times, Thursday, May 13, 1920 (Marquette columns)

Notes: Oakland cemetery aka Pleasant Grove cemetery. His wife was nee Mary Allen, d/o another Civil War veteran Thomas Allen.