George M. Sarvis (1841-1927)

SARVIS

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/9/2008 at 18:04:24

MATT SARVIS 1841-1927
FOUGHT HIS LAST BATTLE; ANSWERED THE LAST ROLL CALL
“Matt” Sarvis, Survivor of the Grand Army of the Republic, Mustered Out Friday, Nov 4, 1927

George W. "Matt" Sarvis was born on September 7, 1841, at Greenfield, Dade County, Missouri. He passed away at his home in Avoca, Iowa, Friday morning, November 4 (1927), aged 86 years, 1 month, and 28 days. The funeral services were held Sunday, November 6 at the First Congregational church, Rev. J. M. Fleming officiating.

George W. M. Sarvis, more familiarly known as “Matt”, left the place of his birth when a boy 12 years of age, going to Oakland, Iowa, where he lived until he was twenty-one years old. As our country was in a great civil war and Mr. Sarvis, strong in love of his country, enlisted under the flag of the North, march 12, 1862. The following is an official report of the life of Mr. Sarvis as a soldier, a record of which he was justly proud:

“Know ye that corporal George W. M. Sarvis enlisted from Pottawattamie county, Iowa, on the 12th day of march, 1862, and was mustered into the United States Service at Keokuk, State of Iowa, on the 17th day of April, 1862 as private of company H, 17th Regt. Iowa volunteer Infantry, under Capt David A. Craig and Co. John M. Rankin, to serve three years, or during the war. The regiment at once moved for the seat of war, leaving Keokuk, for St. Louis by steamer on April 19th. A fortnight later, having received equipments, tents, etc., it embarked for Hamburg, Tennessee, where it arrived on the 7th day of may and immediately marched to join the Grand Army then laying siege to Corinth. Having been assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 34rd Division, 17th (later 15th) Corps, Army of Tennessee, it took part in the siege of Corinth, Mississippi May 28-30th, 1862; Corinth, October 3 and 4; Port Gibson, may 1, 1863; Jackson, May 14; Champion Hills, may 16; Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, may 18 to July 4th, including the assault of Fort Sill on June 25-28; Chattanooga, Tennessee on Nov 23, 1863; Look Out Mountain on Nov 24; Mission Ridge on Nov 25; Resnea, Georgia on May 14 and 15, 1864; Ostenaula, May 16, 1864; Dalton on August 14, 1864; where almost the entire regiment was captured and confined to rebel prisons. Among the prisoners taken was the said George W. M. Sarvis who was imprisoned at Bababa, Alabama; Milan, Georgia, and Andersonville, Georgia, altogether for about six months. He was promoted to corporal while in the service and was honorably discharged may 26th, 1865, at Davenport, Iowa, on account of E.T.S.”

After the close of the war he returned to Oakland, but later came to Avoca to make his home. On July 6ht, 1869 he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Donaldson. This union was blessed by the presence of ten children, five of whom died in infancy.

Mr. Sarvis united with the First Congregational church of Avoca March 3, 1895, and enjoyed its services until ill health and old age kept him from them.

The summons to appear before the Captain of our Salvation, came on Friday morning, November 4, 1927. The Master had blessed him more than the promised three score and ten for he reached the age of 80 years, 1 month, and 28 days.

He leaves to mourn his going his widow and five children: Mrs. Hattie Blust, Harry, George, and Bert Sarvis, and Mrs. Zella Uphouse; also one sister, Mrs. Katie Bunnell and six grandchildren.

The music for the funeral ws furnished by a quartette composed of Miss Helen Eberhart, mrs. Lillie Schmidt, Earl Watson and Howard Jackson. Mrs. Earl Watson at the piano. The American Legion Was present in a body and Mr. Sarvis given full military honors at the grave.

The bereaved ones have the sympathy of the community.