WALLER, Oliver Randolph 1880-1898

WALLER

Posted By: Kathy Gerkins (email)
Date: 9/11/2013 at 15:51:59

Waller, Oliver R

OLLIE WALLER DIED

Soldier boy of Co. D dies
at his home in Rockford Yesterday

Oliver R. Waller of Co. D 49th Iowa volunteer died of typhoid fever and complications, at his home in Rockford yesterday afternoon at half-past two. Ollie, as he was familiarly known among his many friends is the eighteen year old son of John R. Waller.

He joined Co D at this place and left for the south with the first detachment of soldiers. Later he was taken ill with the yellow jaundice, coming home October 17th of a sick furlough in company with Willis Haven. He was taken violently ill on the journey with the dread southern fever.

It was not generally known among his friends that the disease had taken a fatal turn until word was reached here Saturday, that his life was despaired of only to be followed with the sad news that he died yesterday afternoon. The family has the sympathy of the community, in the loss of a second stalwart son, just verging into manhood. This is the fifth death to occur in Co. D. The funeral will be held at the home in Rockford, Tuesday forenoon at 10 o'clock, and the remains will be brought to this city for burial beside the body of his brother Edwin.

Newspaper clipping from the Floyd County Museum.
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DIED: - At the home of his parents, Mrs. and Mrs. John R. Waller, on Sunday October 23. 1898, Oliver Randolph Waller, aged 18 years, 2 months and 21 days.

Ollie, as he was familiarly called, was born in Scott township in this county on August 2, 1880, and his education began in the school there. In 1891 his parents moved to Rockford, where he has since resided. Ollie was among the first to answer to his country's call for volunteers, and was a valued member of Co. D. 49th regiment Iowa volunteers.

He was taken sick with a complication of diseases at Camp Cuba Libre some six weeks ago, and after receiving treatment there was transferred to the convalescent hospital at Pueblo Beach. Not regaining his strength he was given a sick furlough and came home arriving here about two weeks ago. Everything that loving relatives could do was done to bring him back to health, but it was of no avail, and he passed away as a result of a complication of diseases.

If Ollie had not enlisted in his country's service he would have been a member of the present A class in our high school. He was a bright and industrious scholar and manifested an unusual degree of inventive and mechanical genius.

The funeral services occurred at the Congregational Church yesterday morning, the members of the high school attending in a body; also four members of Co. D. from Charles City were present. The body was taken to Charles City for interment, beside that of his brother Edwin.

Ollie yielded up his life a martyr to the cause of human liberty, and is just as much a hero as if he had met his death by a Spanish bullet. The sympathy of the entire community is extended to the family in the in their deep affliction.

[Newspaper Clippings from the Floyd County Museum]