R. F. McMeans 1843-1929

MCMEANS, BELL, BAKER

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 6/14/2015 at 23:10:18

Dubuque Telegraph Herald and Times Journal May 3, 1929

Maquoketa Civil War
Veteran Dies
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Maquoketa, Ia., May 2 – SPECIAL:
R. F. McMeans, the last survivor of the more than 100 men who went out of Perry Township at the call of the government for volunteers in the Civil War, died at his home here Thursday morning. He was stricken some weeks ago with paralysis, and has been unable to combat the disease successfully. It has been a source of chagrin to him that he, a “good solider,” who fought with vigor and success, should have to go down in his battle with an enemy that virtually “struck in the back.”

Born in Clarksville, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1843, he came with his parents, Dr. and Mrs. James McMeans, to Jackson County in 1847. He is one of the last of the early pioneers of the county and his story of anecdotes and reminiscences has made him popular person, for he was an adapt as a storyteller.

At the age of 19, he enlisted as a member of the Company M. of the Second Iowa Calvary, and was mustered in at Davenport. He fought under Sheridan at Brownville, and was in many other hard battles, the Second Iowa Calvary having been kept in the most active service the entire time at the front. He was bugler for the regiment during his last two years of service.

Honorably discharged at the close of the war, he returned to Andrew and there he farmed for many years, with the exception of a single year spent in Crawford County, and several years in South Dakota.

He was married in 1870, to Miss Sarah M. Bell and four children were born to them, one dying in infancy. Mrs. McMean died November 27, 1916, and since that time he has divided his time between his children, Mrs. Frank Baker of Andrew, and R. McMeans of this place.

Mr. McMean served his community in various capacities, as township trustee, as county supervisor, as warden of the county farm and in other position of trust, being elected on the republican ticket in campaigns.

Mr. McMean was a member of the R. M. Smith post, G. A. R., at Andrew, from its organization, and is the last of its members. He had always attended the Memorial services at Andrew, retaining his affiliation with the Andrew post as long as it existed.

He had been a Mason for more than 56 years, and when Hermitage: Lodge of Andrew merged with Helton Lodge here, his membership continued. He was also a member of the Old Fellows Lodge, holding his member ship at Fulton,

Mr. McMeans was popular with young and old folks alike, and the first report of his recent illness was a source of deep regret to many.
Surviving him are his two daughters, Mrs. Frank Baker of Andrew and Mrs. Nellie Bruce of Vivian, R. D., and one son, A. R. McMeans of Maquoketa, and one grandson, Rex Baker of this place.
Funeral are not complete but burial will be made in Andrew.