WHITNEY, William 1845-1934

WHITNEY, FREELAND

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 17:38:16

Wm. Whitney, Old Resident And Civil War Veteran, Dies

William Whitney, last survivor of the Civil War residents in the New Hartford and Stout vicinities, and old time Grundy county resident, died Sunday at his home after three weeks' illness from a general breakdown. He was 89 years old, having been born at Java Center, New York, June 2, 1845.

He moved to Grundy county when still a young man, where he bought a farm 1 1/2 miles east of Stout. Here he spent the greater part of his life and the farm still belongs to the family. He lived the latter years of his life in New Hartford, where he retired while his sons ran the farm.

Mr. Whitney enlisted May 5, 1864, in the One Hundred Forty-first regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served 100 days, being discharged at Chicago.

He married Millie Freeland at Elgin, Ill., Oct. 7, 1871. She survives with a daughter and four sons, as named: Mrs. Myrtle Elliott, Aplington; Jarvis, Charles, Ben, and Ralph Whitney, all of New Hartford. Three children preceded him in death.

Funeral services were Tuesday, Rev. Nathan F. Hicks, former pastor at New Hartford, officiating at the home at 1:30 p.m. and at the Methodist Episcopal church at 2:00 o'clock. Interment was in the Fairfield cemetery.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 25 October 1934, pg 14

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Sleeps Last Bivouac

Last G.A.R. Member In Butler County Answers Call

New Hartford--William Whitney, son of Jarvis and Mary Whitney was born June 2nd, 1845, at Java Center, New York. Died Oct. 21st, 1934, being at the time of his death 89 years old.

He with his parents came to Elgin, Ill., in 1851. He enlisted in Co K 141 Regiment Ill. Volunteers and was honorably discharged Oct. 9th, 1865.

He married Miss Millie Freeland Oct. 9th, 1871 at Elgin, Ill. To this union was born eight children, five boys and three girls. Anna Belle died in infancy. Mrs. Rosa Hummerling died in 1896. Harry E., First Lieut., in the Spanish American war died May 13, 1898 in Cuba. Jarvis, Charles, Benjamin, Ralph and Mrs. Myrtle Elliot, with his wife, are left to mourn his loss.

After their marriage they lived at Vesta, Nebraska one year, then came to Grundy County, where they purchased a farm and lived on it for 37 years. In 1914 they moved to New Hartford, where they have since resided.

He joined the M.E. church at Dairyville, Iowa, in June, 1893. He is the last surviving member of the G.A.R. in this county.

Mr. Whitney was taken to his bed about four weeks ago and was a patient sufferer. He was gentle and kind and numbered his friends by his acquaintances. He leaves an influence that will be felt in the neighborhood where he has lived so long.

Besides his immediate family he leaves 22 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the M.E. church at New Hartford, conducted by Rev. N. F. Hicks of Chariton, Iowa, his former pastor, assisted by Rev. Pritchard, pastor of the church. The body was laid to rest in the Fairfield cemetery. Hundreds of his friends and old neighbors were in attendance. Rev. Hicks selected as his text "The White Stone", Rev. 1-17. The sermon was such as to bring comfort and consolation to the bereaved ones. Mrs. D. H. Pelletier sang two selections.

--The Parkersburg Eclipse (Parkersburg, Iowa), 25 October 1934, pg 1