Americus Carns 1848-1926

CARNS, CARNES, MILLER, WOLLAM, FOWLER, HAUK, RUCKS, LEAR, WASTON, DAVIS, SCOTTEN

Posted By: Karen DaPra (email)
Date: 10/8/2002 at 11:09:40

AMERICUS CARNS

Americus Carns, second child of John and Alvina Miller Carns, was born near Mt. Sterling, Iowa, September 9, 1848, and passed away at his home in Cantril, September 25, 1926, aged 78 years and 16 days.

On May 3, 1864, he enlisted in the Union army, becoming a member of Company K, 45th Regiment of Iowa Infantry Volunteers, this Regiment being a part of the army of the Tennessee. In speaking of the great Army of the Tennessee, General U. S. Grant once said: "As an army the army of the Tennessee never sustained a single defeat during the four years of war; every fortification which it assailed surrendered; every force arrayed against it was either destroyed, captured or defeated. No officer was ever assigned to the command of that army who had afterward to be relieved from it, or to be reduced to another command. Such is history, not accident." Mr. Carns was honorably discharged in October 1864.

On February 12, 1867, he was united in marriage with Viola J. Wollam. To this happy union one daughter, Dora, was born. Their first home was on a farm about six miles east of Cantril where they resided until 1902 at which time they moved to Cantril.

Shrewd, honest and industrious, Mr. Carns was remarkably successful as a farmer and business man. For several years he has been a director of the Cantril Savings Bank, also a leader in many other worthy enterprises.

He was a faithful member of the Grand Army of the Republic and for twenty-four successive years, Decoration Day has found him at the graveside of his comrades, of all wars, there to help decorate the last resting places of the men, who like himself, had fought for their beloved country. His comrades who are left behind will not soon forget this loyalty and faithfulness.

He was a kind father and loyal and loving husband. As a neighbor and friend he was pure gold. His untimely death has cast a gloom over the entire community.

He leaves to mourn his departure, his loving companion, Mrs. Viola Carns of Cantril, one daughter, Mrs. Dora Fowler of Keosauqua; five nieces, Mrs. Alvina Hauk of Des Moines; Mrs. Rucks of Warren, Arkansas; Mrs. Lear of Nevada; Mrs. Dora Waston of Mt. Sterling, and Bee Davis of Rock Island, Ill. Six nephews, George A. Carns of Winthrope, Minn., Hop, Grove and William Carns of DeWitt, Ark., and James Scotten of Mt. Sterling. Many other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held at the Cantril Christian church Tuesday afternoon, September 28th, conducted by Elder Herbert C. Shaw, assisted by Rev. A. M. Smith. Seven noble old veterans of the Civil War also conducted the funeral rites of the G. A. R.

The following veterans of the Civil War and World War were present and acted as an escort: Civil War veterans, Fowler, Harriman, Burkett, Fosnot, Deford, Johnson, Armstrong and Mallot. World War, Willie Schotten, (?)born, Glen Harbidge, Clay Barnett, Howard Bell, B. B. Redmon, Major Robertson and Riley Wo(?). The following neighbors acted as pallbearers: James A. Smith, Sam Warner, Simeon Teter, Wm. Hetzler, Gus Knox and B. B. Redmon. Burial in Cantril cemetery.

(Photocopy of this obit is located on page 132 of Obit Book A found in the Van Buren County, IA Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in Oct 2000. Name of newspaper and date of obit not given.)

Please contact me if you have additional information on this family. Karen.

[Original Post 07 Nov 2000]