VENTURA, Oct. 5 -- Ventura's only surviving veteran of the Civil War is Edward J. SHERF (sic, should be SCHERF), who is still hearty and hale at past 82 years of age. He was born June 24, 1847, in mid-ocean.

Notwithstanding this fact he is not a man without a country, having served the U.S.A., the country of his adoption, both in times of peace and war. He served in the Civil War for more than two years.

His father was a woolen worker in Germany but soon after landing in this country found employment in railroad construction at Milwaukee, Wis.

In 1856 when Mr. SHERF (sic) was nine years of age his father removed his family to a piece of rough timberland in Saux (sic) county, Wis., the tract being known as Baraboo Bluffs. This land was cleared and grubbed out with much labor, and young Edward had to take his share in this hard labor.

In 1866 his father purchased a tract of land in Floyd county, Iowa. The journey was made in a prairie schooner. His son assisting in making a good farm of this wild prairie. Later the family moved to Lake township, Clear Lake.

The Civil War cloud which had been gathering for many years burst in all its fury and in 1863 Mr. SHERF (sic) enlisted in Company L of the Third Wisconsin cavalry. He was only 16 years of age and forged his father's consent.

Sixteen months of his service were spent on the frontier among the Indians. He carries vivid recollections and momentoes of the war on his person, having been wounded three times. The scar of a sabor cut is still visible on his head and hand and a bullet is lodged between the thumb and forefinger on his right hand and is still a vivid memory.

Immediately after his discharge from the army he worked at farming and railroading. In 1868 he married and the following year went to Floyd county. He purchased 80 acres of wild land for $380 near Ventura in 1872. The lumber for the new house was purchased from W. C. TOMPKINS for $100 and hauled from Clear Lake with oxen. He farmed,. railroaded, etc., and later purchased an additional 80 acres for $500. He was a member of the G.A.R. post at Clear Lake.

He has always been an enthusiastic hunter and during his life has owned over 100 shotguns.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2011