Way, George (1843-1912)

WAY, STEFFEN

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 3/15/2011 at 22:03:54

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
11-19-1912

PASSING OF A PIONEER
Had Gained the Confidence and Respect
of the Community

The funeral, of Geo. Way, of Akron, was held last week at Akron and was largely attended by friends from all over the county. The following tribute to Mr. Way is published in the Akron Register-Tribune and was written by his life long friend, John C. Ruble, of LeMars:

George Way was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 26, 1843. He was the eldest, of four children, only one of whom, Mrs. Mary Clark, of Reading, Penn, still survives. His parents died when he was a child and he was brought up to young manhood by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Wisler, who moved near Lewistown, Mifflin county, Penn. Here he attended country school and the high school in Lewistown.

On September 1, 1861, he was enrolled in Company C of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry Volunteers for a term of three years, and re-enlisted February 1, 1864, in Company A of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry Veteran Volunteers. During this time he received the rank of First Sergeant of Company A. He was in nearly all the battles and skirmishes with the Army of the Potomac. At the battle of Brandy Station while charging General Stuart's headquarters, his horse was shot and he was thrown into an old ice pit. He could have escaped capture, but lingering to aid a wounded comrade, he was captured and taken to Richmond, where he served a short time in Libby and Belle Isle prisons. On July 28, 1864, he was wounded while charging the enemy's lines near Richmond, Virginia. At Petersburg, Virginia, he went over the enemy's breastworks and captured a rebel flag. This entitled him to a thirty day furlough, which, however, he refused to take. He was again wounded while charging a battery not far from Appomattox Court House, where he rendered distinguished service. The day before Lee surrendered he was taken to a hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. After his wound was better, the war being over, he was mustered out of the service and returned to his home in Pennsylvania.

From there he went to Oberlin, Ohio, where he completed a course in that college. He then joined his boyhood and army comrades, in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where for thirteen years he taught in a red school house on the hill near Mount Carroll.

In 1877 in company with friends he drove across the state of Iowa, and in June reached Portlandville (now Akron). He was county assessor for many years. During this time
he made his home with the Jeffers and Ruble families.

On December 15, 1891, he married Louisa Steffen at Akron, Iowa, which place has been their home ever since. Three daughters were born to them, Emily, Nettie and Mildred.

In 1892 he was appointed deputy postmaster of Akron. In 1893 he accepted a position in the Akron Savings Bank, in which institution he has been a faithful officer until his death, having been vice-president for many years.

George Way was a noble man, a brave soldier, a good citizen, a loyal friend, a loving husband, and father. Everything he did he did well and his works "do follow him." He will not only be missed by his little family and his-many friends, but by the entire community as well.

Farewell comrade, you have gone before me. We have slept together among the living and the dead. You have fought the good fight and have won. You will hear the roar of canon no more, neither will you hear the cheers of your victorious comrades as when we made those fierce
charges on the enemy's lines. You are resting in that beautiful camp on the other shore, where all is peace and love. Watch for me; I wilt be there ere long. Farewell'.—A Comrade

Civil War Record
 

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