John T. Gager 1840-1939

GAGER

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 3/10/2017 at 18:56:20

Dubuque Telegraph Herald, November 5, 1931

ALPHA VETERAN TO
BE HONORED NOV. 11

Alpha, Ia. Nov. 5 – Special: J. T. Gager, Alpha’s oldest citizen, the only surviving Civil War veteran, will celebrate his ninety-first birthday Nov. 11.

Mr. Gager was born in Broome County, New York Nov. 11, 1840, and lived there until he was 11 years old, when he moved with his parents to Illinois. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted with Co. B., 105th regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out June 7, 1865. He was married that fall and purchased a farm in Illinois, where he lived for several years before he came to Iowa, and purchased a farm in Bethel Township. He lived in Alpha for a time, but three years ago he returned to the farm, where his son Charles and family reside. When the World War came to an end Mr. Gager remarked that the signing of the Armistice was the highest birthday celebration he had ever enjoyed, and since that time his birthday has been honored at each Armistice Day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Civil War Vet, 99, Dies
at West Union

Farmer was the Oldest Person
in County, One Son Survives

West Union – John T. Gager, last Civil War veteran and oldest person in Fayette County, died while sleeping Friday morning, 13 days past his 99th birthday, at his farm house located between Hawkeye and Alpha .

Mr. Gager lived in Fayette County since 1872. Both wives and six of his seven children preceded him in death. Surviving is his son Ernest, with whom he made his home for the past several years.

Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.