Thomas L. Boots 1840-1932 Civil War Veteran

BOOTS, WHITE, PARKS, SHEFFORD, BUTTS, WHITE, FAY, SMITH, ENGSTROM

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 5/12/2011 at 21:45:42

- The funeral services of Thomas L. Boots, the only
Civil War veteran living in Oelwein, were held from the
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, Friday afternoon,
September 2nd. Rev. J. B. Ackman was in charge of the
services. His body was laid to rest with military honors
at Woodlawn cemetery.
- Comrade Boots passed away at the home of his
daughter, Mrs. Fred White, corner of Third Street and
First Avenue, N. E. of our city, August 31, 1932. He was
one of thirteen children, all of whom have preceded
him in death. He was born in Brighton, England,
August 26, 1840. He was the son of William and Mary
Boots. At the age of nine years he came with his parents
to America. At first his parents settled in New York state.
Later they moved to Illinois.
- During the days of the Civil War Mr. Boots responded to
the call of Abraham Lincoln and enlisted in the Union Navel
Service at Chicago, October 1, 1861. He served during the
period of the Civil War. He took part in various engagements
and battles between the North and the South. He helped
in the capture of New Orleans. Often he found himself in the
thick of the fray. When the Mississippi, one of the largest
warships in the battle started to burn, he was one of the men
who lifted Lieut. Dewey and others from the wreckage. The war
left him physically weakened. He received his honorable
discharge October 4th, 1864.
- November 26, 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Jane
Parks. To this union five children were born of whom his wife and
two children preceded him in death.
- On September 7, 1878 he was married to Miss Emma H.
Shefford. They set up their home building endeavors at Elkader,
Iowa and since then they have had their home in Elkader, Arlington,
Clermont, Stanley and Oelwein.
- He leaves to mourn his departure his companion of many years,
Mrs. Emma Boots and his children Clarence V. Boots of Arlington; Mrs.
Arthur Butts of Oelwein; Mrs. J. P. Smith of Leon, Iowa; Mrs. Fred White
of Thorpe; Mrs. Henry Fay of Oelwein; Warren S. Boots of Lily Lake, Ill.
and Lester F. Boots and Mrs. Arthur Engstrom of Oelwein, all of whom
were home at the time of his death. He is also survived by 30 grand
children and 22 great grandchildren as well as other
relatives and friends. One other child preceded him in death in infancy
and Fred J. Boots another son and well known aviator was killed in an
accident while he was at his post of duty as an air pilot at Hartford, Conn.
four years ago, August 29, 1928.

Oelwein Daily Register - 3 September 1932
Note: burial Woodlawn Cemetery