Cadwell, Luman L. 1836 - 1925

CADWELL, JOHNSON, SCHULZE

Posted By: Norman Hjelmeland (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:42

MAJOR L.L. CADWELL DEAD

Well Known Civil War Veteran Passed Away Last Wednesday

The life strings of Major Luman L. Cadwell, civil war veteran and prominent pioneer citizen, broke last Wednesday afternoon at ten minute past three, and his soul passed peacefully out at the Decorah hospital where he had been since fall. His death was due primarily to the infirmities of old age, having passed his 89th birthday.
In the passing of this grand old man the community loses a picturesque figure and one whom every one was justly proud because he had always been truly a representative citizen, upright and honorable and a friend worth while. He was born in Binghampton, N.Y. May 22, 1836, and was reared and educated in New York and Wisconsin, afterwards devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits for a short time. Before the civil war he entered the employ of the Mobile & Ohio railroad in Tennessee as a conductor. Returning to New York he enlisted at Schnectady and was a member of Company B, Second New York Cavalary, serving with that command until November 1865 and was mustered out at Albany, New York. His record as a soldier was brave and valiant. He was wounded several times and barely escaped with his life. He received the congressional medal for gallantry in action, which was an honor that he had every right to feel proud over, and there were only two other similar medals in the state. In 1912 he was brevetted major by Gov. Dix, of New York.
After the war was over Mr. Cadwell went to Prairie du Chein and entered the employ of the Milwaukee. He became a conductor on the Iowa and Dakota division and was in the service 26 years. In 1883 he gave up the work, coming to Decorah where he became identified with the Citizens Savings Bank and worked in the capacity of cashier for a number of years, retiring some years ago.
He was married on Sept. 16, 1860 to Miss Anna Johnson, of Massachusetts. She passed away a number of years ago. Two children were born to the union, both of whom are deceased, Herbert H., who passed away in 1904 at the age of 34 and Bessie, who died in infancy. They adopted a daughter, Grace, who is now the wife of George Schulze, of this city.
Major Cadwell was commander of Colonel Hughes Post, G.A.R. for many years. In politics he was a strong republican. For 24 years he served on the Decorah school board. He was also a member of the city council for three terms. He was a member of the Masonic lodge, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter, cammandery and Eastern Star, and his name was also on the rolls of the Knights of Phythis. In his religious faith Mr. Cadwell was a Unitarian. He was also a member of the Decorah lodge of Elks, and we believe Iowa's oldest Elk.
Major Cadwell will be missed by scores of friends. He was a gracious man, a gentleman always, and he enjoyed the respect and esteem that men of his high character are justly entitled to. He was always ready and willing to do his part in making Decorah a better city in which to live and we believe he devoted as much of his time as any individual ever did in things worth while here. It can be justly said about him that a good man has gone to his reward.
The funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the home on Maple Ave. Rev Burling of the Congregational church officiated and the Masonic fraternity had charge. American Legion members were present and paid their last respects to this great war veteran. The Legion service and firing salute was carried out at the grave. The business houses were closed during the service.

Decorah Public Opinion, July 15, 1925

Phelps Cemetery
 

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