Warn, Edward F. 1837-1894

WARN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 7/16/2013 at 18:15:52

McGregor News, Luana Correspondence column, and reprinted in the Postville Review of Sat., 25 Aug. 1894.

We clip the following notice of the sudden death of E. F. Warn from the Luana Correspondence of the McGregor News:

"E. F. Warn died suddenly Tuesday morning of apoplexy. He has been failing for some time, but kept around until a few minutes before his death. A neighbor saw something was the matter and helped him into the house, but before Dr. Renshaw could arrive had passed away. Ed was a member of the 21st Iowa Infantry in the late war, and a member of Hervey Dix Post No. 371 G.A.R. at time of death. The funeral services were held at this place on Thursday, Aug.23d, at 10:30 A.M."

The deceased was a member of Noble Lodge No. 51 A.O.U.W., of Postville.

___ ___ ___ ___

Added by S. Ferrall 1/9/2019:

Another brave old soldier has answered to the summons of the Supreme Commander and is numbered among the heroes assembled in the great encampment on the other shore.

Edward F. Warn was indeed a braveand gallant soldier. He served his country faithfully for three years in Company G of the 21st Iowa Infantry. His comrades, who were with him, speak in the highest terms of his gallantry and his undaunted bravery. He never faltered where duty called; he never flinched at the most exacting service. He loved his country, and for its preservation he dared to face the storm of bullets, shot and shell, doing gallant and meritorious service as a member of the fighting twenty-first, which received its baptism of fire at the battle of Hartsville, and was crowned with honors at Fort Gibson, and with glory at the siege of Vicksburg. Here that spirit of bravery, so prominent in his characteristics cropped out in force. As his regiment was marching into the city, Warn forged ahead and was the first to enter the besieged city, and as the rebel guards had not been relieved he was met with a determined opposition to his further advancement. He pathed with his would-be captors, his trusty gun serving him in that moment when his life seemed to hang in the balance. His comrades rushed in to his relief, and they came none too soon. The rebel guard were not aware that the surrender had taken place, and they supposed they had a "Prize Yank" who they were to deliver at headquarters. Imagine their surprise when they were compelled to withdraw their pointed bayonets from the breast of Warn and sullenly laid down their arms and fell into line to be counted in the parole while the Union drums answered to the merry time of Yankee Doodle.

Comrade Warn was but 15 years of age when he came to Iowa, in 1852. Born in the county of Franklin, state of New York, July 27th, 1837, his boyhood was spent on the farm. He had few advantages, yet under an "iron clad" instruction he laid the foundation for a business career that has served him to a marked degree in a forty odd years residence in Clayton County. As he was a brave and honored soldier, so his citizenship was marked by industry and frugality, honorable [illegible] to himself and family and the community in which he has so long resided.

The wheel of time revolves with great regularity, and one by one the links of comradeship and fellowship are severed. The silken cord snaps at the beat of the drum, at the shrill echo of the bugle call, and when the low beating of 'taps' calls the life from tis sphere of worldly things to the land of rest, to the grand reunion of the Boys in Blue on Gods chosen acres, there is the lovely strains of Angelic music which signals the Gates Ajar.

August 21st, 1894, in the prime of manhood, apparently in the vigor of health, taps were sounded and the light of this brave soldier went out. There was no warning. It was a summons to be obeyed on the instant. As bravely as he was in war he met the call and meekly bowed in submission to the will of his creator. The widowed wife and the fatherless children will mourn his loss. The home will know him no more. May the great commander, who doeth all things for the best, be the comforter and protector to the afflicted family.

Comrades of the Grand Army, soldiers of the republic, drop the emblems upon this soldiers breast, lay him carefully in the narrow cell, slowly pack the clods of earth over this body, build the mound that no hand shall disturb and mark the spot "A Brave Boy of the Twenty-first."

[a poem followed, but in very tiny print, difficult to transcribe accurately]

The funeral was held this morning at 10:30 at the family residence in Luana. There was a large attendance. A number of members of Hervey Dix Post, G.A.R. of McGregor, of which the deceased was a member, were present; also a number of members from the Monona Post, Commander H.H. Clark in charge. Rev. Littler conducted the impressive religious services at the house, and the G.A.R. service was had at the grave.

~Monona Leader, Thursday, 8/23/1894

Note: burial is in the Luana cemetery