Iowa
Old Press
The Sidney Argus - Herald
Sidney, Fremont Co., Iowa
December 15, 1927
CIVIL WAR VETERAN AT REST. Old Soldier Succumbs
After Only One Week's Illness
Again the reaper has visited one of our pioneer homes and sounded
"taps" for George Riley Thatcher, who was taken
suddenly ill December 3 and lingered until Saturday morning,
December 10. All that medical aid and loving hands could do was
done, but to no avail, for it seems that he had lived more than
his allotted time, being born in Clinton county, Ohio, February
7, 1843, and called from his earthly career at the age of 84
years 10 months and 3 days.
He was next to the youngest of eight chidlren of Albert and
Parasatus Thatcher and is the last of the family to go. When 18
years of age he volunteered for three months' service in the
great civil war from the state of Ohio. After serving that period
of enlistment he came to Iowa, where he volunteered again in the
Seventh Iowa Cavalry and served until the war's close.
After his final and honorable discharge he returned to Ohio and
then moved to Abingdon, Illinois, with his parents where in 1868,
on May 14, he was married to Martha Stephens. To this union five
children were born, Mrs. Jennie Howard and Myrtle at home; Elmer
and Charlie on farms near here, and Willie, who died in infancy.
The devoted wife and mother with these four children survive
their great loss.
[transcribed by W.F., October 2008]