Niswander, Luther 1874-1966

NISWANDER, CRAM, JOHNSON, ROBERTS, ANDES

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/17/2010 at 09:12:22

The Brooklyn Chronicle; Sept. 15, 1966

LUTHER NISWANDER DIES; WAS LAST SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR VETERAN

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon for Luther Niswander, 92, the last Spanish-American War veteran in this community, who died Sunday morning in St. Francis hospital in Grinnell, where he had been admitted six days earlier.

The rites were held at Bramer Funeral Home with Rev. C. W. Woollard, pastor of Grace Methodist church officiating.

As the last surviving Spanish-American War veteran, Mr. Niswander had appeared in many Memorial Day parades in Brooklyn. An employee of the railroad for 38 years, he had been confined to his home in recent years because of failing health.

A native of Virginia, he had lived in Silvis, Ill. and Brooklyn since he was a young boy. He was a 62 year member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and was a longtime member of the Grace Methodist church.

Survivors include his widow and a son, Lester Niswander, of Silvis, Ill.

Also surviving are two step-children, Mrs. Phyllis Cram of Grinnell and Mrs. Charlotte Johnson of Cedar Rapids, and their families. Also Karen Roberts and Larry Andes.

Preceding him in death was his first wife, Maud.