KERLIN, Harry W. 1874-1898

KERLIN

Posted By: Kathy Gerkins (email)
Date: 9/11/2013 at 19:43:45

Harry W. Kerlin was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1874, and died in Jacksonville, Florida, October 9, 1898, of typhoid fever. Aged 24 years, 1 month and 11 days. He came with his parents to this place in early boyhood where he resided until fall when they moved on the farm two miles out of town.

On the 20th day of June he enlisted with I.N.G. of Nora Springs which after word became Company G. 49th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was taken to Camp Cuba Libre, at Jacksonville, Florida. About the 15th of September he was taken sick with the fever, was taken to the hospital on September 19.

On Sunday October 9, 1898, just lacking three days of three months from the time he enlisted and went forth to fight for his country's honor, he died.. His body was at once prepared for burial, and a message conveying the sad news was sent the already bereaved parents, and on Monday J. E. Cole, of the same Company, accompanied the remains to his Rudd home, arriving here Thursday noon, October 13.

How fresh in the memory of the hundreds who gathered at the depot at Nora Springs Junction on the evening of June 19, to say farewell to our boys, and as that never-to-be forgotten train moved slowly out from the station it was one universal "Good-bye and God bless you." Being among the boys, we can enter into the exact feeling of the departed on as the train would its way around the bend, carrying him from home, friend, and all that way near and dear.

He heard the call for patriotic service and seen the cloud of war as it crept slowly but surely upon the horizon of our, the fairest country of all the world. He cheerfully march out beneath the stars and stripes and by so doing declared that if need be he would die for his country's honor.

Harry was a true soldier, bearing like a man the hardships and trials of camp life, and died a hero, yes a hero, of his country just the same as though he had come to the death by a ball from a gun in the hands of the enemy. We could hardly in reason have expected all our boys to be returned safely.