David R. Hornbaker 1841-1892

HORNBAKER, BATCHELOR

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 11/30/2001 at 21:34:52

DIED. - At his home 1 1/2 miles south of Bonaparte, Iowa, Wednesday, at 2 o'clock p. m., David R. Hornbaker, aged 50 years, 3 months and 4 days.

He was born in Preble county, Ohio, Nov. 11, 1841. Moved with his parents to Iowa in 1946 [sic 1846], and settled in Van Buren county. Was married to Miss Mary A. Batchelor, on the 14th of March, 1867, and to them were born ten children, nine of whom, with his wife survive him. William, the oldest child, died June 19, 1887.

Mr. Hornbaker enlisted during the war of the rebellion in Company F, 2d Iowa Iafantry [sic], at Keosauqua, Ia., May 14, 1861, was mustered into the U. S. service on the 27th day of the same month at Keokuk, Iowa. He served with this command until December 6th, 1861, when he was discharged for disability at St. Louis, Mo. He came home and at the end of three months had so far regained his health that he re-inlisted [sic] March 6th, 1862, in Company E, 15th Regiment Iowa Vol. Infty, in which he faithfully served to the close of the war. He participated in all the battles, sieges and campaigns of the army of the Tennessee, including Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Kenesaw mountain, Atlanta, and General Sherman's march to the Sea and thence north, via Richmond, Virginia to Washington, D. C. where on May 24th, 1865, he took part in the grand review on Pennsylvania Ave., as one of Sherman's Veterans. He was mustered out of the military service with his company and regiment July 24, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. During the last months of the war he was assistant commissary sergeant of his regiment, where he rendered very efficient service.

He returned home and settled down to agricultural pursuit and by industry and frugality was becoming one of the foremost farmers of Van Buren county, until about four years ago, when misfortunes seemed to fall thick and fast upon the family. Four years ago their oldest son, William was drowned while bathing; one year later their barn was burned just after harvest, when it was full to the rafters; one year after their dwelling was burned, losing everything they had, barely escaping with their lives; and now followed the worst calamity of all in the death of the beloved father through wounds caused by a mad cow.

He was an honored member of Shriver Post, No. 177, G. A. R., and his comrades did everything they could for him and his family from the time he was injured until death took him hence.

The funeral services were conducted at his late home by Rev. C. W. Wilson, who preached an excellent sermon from John 13:7. The choir sang, "O think of the home over there," and "Up to the bountiful giver of life."

After comrades, friends and family had taken a last sad view of the remains comrades Mort? Carnes, Aaron Hilhard?, W. P. L. Muir, Geo. DeHart, C. Warren and H. Stewart, members of his regiment, took the casket and passing through two lines of comrades with bared and bowed heads, conveyed it to the hearse. The large procession then solemnly wended its way to the Thompson cemetery. The comrades, and friends encircled the mourning relatives and the grave when Rev. Wilson read a passage of scripture, the choir sang Sweet Bye and Bye, when the benediction was pronounced and the living returned to their homes to ponder over the fact that in the midst of life we are in death.

{handwritten on obit. was "1892"]

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 6, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA

I am not related and am posting this for those who may find this person in their family history.