Mahon, Stephen Keith (1837-1885)

MAHON

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/17/2020 at 13:39:06

Ottumwa Daily Democrat, January 13, 1885

DIED.
MAHON—In this city Sunday evening, at 9:15 o’clock. January 11th, 1885, Stephen Keith Mahon, Captain of United States Army, in the 47th year of his age.

He was born in Tyrrels pass, county of West Meath, Ireland. The family came to the United States in 1849, and to Iowa in 1854, locating at Ottumwa. Capt. Mahon enlisted in the 36th Reg’t, Iowa Vol. Inft. at its organization in 1862; was appointed sergeant major at the staff organization; commissioned adjutant in August, 1863, and served in this capacity until the muster out of the regiment at the close of the late war. He was appointed 2d Lieut. in the 11th United States Inft., Feb. 1866; promoted to 1st Lieut. July 1866, Capt. 16th Inft. July, 1882, and was placed on the retired list of the army, April, 1883. He was present with his regiment at the battle of Helena, Arkansas, and was brevetted captain in the army for gallantry in that action. He also served with the expedition under General Steele in the campaign against Camden, Arkansas, and was taken prisoner with his regiment and brigade at the battle of Marks Mills, Arkansas, while guarding a wagon train returning to Pine Bluffs, Arkansas. He was held prisoner of war at Tyler, Texas, some ten months, until near the close of hostilities, having made two unsuccessful efforts to escape. He served in the South after his appointment in the regular army, carrying out the reconstruction measures in Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and acquitted himself with credit in the many duties assigned him during that critical period, being once ordered by President Grant to Washington for personal interview on these matters.

He came home from Fort Sill, Indian Territory, on sick leave in Aug. 1879, and was a great sufferer from that time until his death, but bore his sufferings with Christian patience.

The funeral will take place at St. Mary’s Episcopal church on Tuesday afternoon at 3 o’clock.

It was the fortune of the writer to have been intimately acquainted with the deceased, and to have enjoyed his friendship, not only among the peaceful scenes of home, but in the field, and to have shared with him some of the dangers that beset the soldier during the campaigns of three years. In all relations that he was called upon to sustain, Captain Mahon was a high-minded honorable gentleman. He loved to talk of the days that are past. The last time the writer saw him, he pleasantly referred to the Christmas dinner we enjoyed together in the pine woods of Arkansas, and although he was then near the end, yet it gave him pleasure to talk of or hear again the old stories of the camp.

The Captain was a brother of Major S. Mahon, of Mrs. Col. Kittredge and has also another sister living here. Capt. Wm. Mahon, of Cincinnati, is a brother, and will arrive here tonight.
_ _ _ _
Owing to the non arrival of friends, the burial of Captain Mahon is postponed until tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, but the funeral services will take place at the church, this, (Tuesday) afternoon at 3 o’clock, as already announced.
_ _ _ _
Major Mahon last night received a dispatch from his brother, Captain William Mahon of Cincinnati, that he would arrive here tonight. The funeral services of Capt. S. K. Mahon will however take place this afternoon as announced and the interment will take place tomorrow.
_ _ _ _
Friends desiring to see the remains of Captain Mahon will have the opportunity at this brother’s residence until 2 o’clock this (Tuesday) afternoon.
_ _ _ _