Norman Henry Confare (1847-1919)

CONFARE, MCLAIN, BANKS, PHILLIPS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/22/2021 at 22:10:50

From Nevada Representative January 5, 1920 (page 5)

OBITUARY

Norman H. Confare was born in Wayne County, Indiana, July 8, 1847, being the seventh of a family of nine children, named n order Benjamin, Ephraim, Norman, Elizabeth, John, Caroline, Monroe, Laura and Jane. All but the youngest preceded him to the spirit world, the sister still living being Mrs. Florence Philips, a widow, residing in Los Angeles, California.

Brother Confare received his early educational training in the old time subscription schools of Indiana. He entered upon the responsibilities of life for himself when still a youth. His preparation for the work of life, outside of the education of the schools, was in the school of hard knocks on a farm and in the blacksmith shop. This training made him a man strong in muscle an character so that he was well fitted for the duties as they devolved upon him.

True to his home and his country, he enlisted in the 124th Indiana Volunteer Indiana Infantry Company K at Richland, Indiana, in January 1864. He was assigned to the third division of the army corpse under General Sherman's command. He was but a lad of fifteen, but engaged in some of the principal battles and skirmishes of the rebellion of which we mention Buzzard's Roost, Dalton, Atlanta, Columbus, and Franklin where during the short duration of four hours, from four in the afternoon to eight in the evening, 8700 men were killed wounded. He also engaged in Nashville, N. C. From the time of his enlistment to the time of his honorable discharge he with his company was engaged 124 times in actual fighting, during which time he received but a slight wound on the temple. However, the hard service impaired his health, so that he has suffered more or less ever since, but never regretted that he has served the flag and his country, for he had the assurance that he had a part in setting the slave free.

On the 21st of October 1871 he entered the holy state of matrimony with Miss Ida McLain of Illinois, and to this union three children were born Elizabeth, Maud, Rachel Blanch and Elouise.

Mr. Confare with his family lived for many years on his farm in Milford township, and in 1893 he moved into Nevada and this became his permanent home for the remaining years of his life. March 24, 1902, his wife departed from this life and left him alone. He again married on September 16, 1904, taking to himself Mrs. Sarah E. Banks, who was a faithful, devoted wife during all those years and in his last illness was to him all that a wife could be as well as taking the part of a faithful and efficient nurse, caring for him to the very last, saving not herself so that she might minister unto her beloved husband.

Mr. Confare was always brave in the face of trying circumstances, a workman always ready for the task assigned, therefore was entrusted with many positions of trust. In politics he was active as a true Republican, was equipped with a fund of courage and good cheer, and still holds the affectionate regards of all who knew him. The sterling integrity of his character made him a man royal-hearted and true. His religious convictions were sincere and strong. During moments when prayers were offered with him in his home he was a devout listener, and earnestly entered into the spirit. His heart was constant to the last.