Andilacia McKelvey’s obituary, Dinibdale, Eaton, County, Michigan

Copyright © 1999 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in the 
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GRAND LEDGE INDEPENDENT
DEATH OF ANOTHER VETERAN
"Andy" McKelvey Passes Away After a Short Illness

After an illness of eight days, Andilacia McKelvey passed to the great beyond on the 
evening of April 23, 1907, at the age of 60 years, 2 months and 17 days.

He was born in Ohio February 6, 1874, and enlisted as private October 15, 1861, in Co. 
G., Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, and was discharged from the service July 26, 1865, on 
account of the loss of his right arm. His army service covered a period of  three years, 
nine months and eleven days. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea and lost his 
arm at Bentonville, N.C., March 19, 1865. At the time of his death he was commander of 
Earl Halbert Post No. 108, G. A. R., and by his many good qualities and genial  
companionship he has endeared himself to his old comrades in arms, as well as to the 
Oddfellows and other societies of which he was a member.

He was married in December 1868, to Frances Wangler, in Delta Township, Eaton 
County. Until moving to Grand Ledge late in 1897 they resided in the vicinity known as 
North Windsor. Four children were born to them, the oldest, Mary McKelvey, is now in 
Ancon, Panama, a nurse in the service of the United States; Pauline Linsley, who died 
one year ago; Laura Ream of Chicago and Lura Watrous of Grand Ledge. During the ten 
years of his residence in this city he has built a very large circle of friends.

Funeral services were held at the late home of deceased Thursday afternoon at two 
o'clock, conducted by Rev. W. E. Exler of Potterville. Interment in Oakwood Cemetery.

The following tribute to his character was written by one who has known him most 
intimately for seventeen years:

He loved nature and knew its every book; He loved the wilderness, the forest and the 
stream. His character seemed to reflect the stern strength of the oak and the rock.

Duty and the right, as he saw them, were to him a law as fixed and unchanging as the 
force that holds the stars in place. In all things that interested him he at once became 
active. He was neutral in nothing. Of right and the truth, as he held it, he surrendered 
nothing, neither to friend nor foe and he knew no fear. No matter what the occurrence no 
man saw his face blanch, his hand falter or his mind hesitates. To those who knew him 
well these things seemed paradoxes. He was as tender and gentle as the falling snow. He 
loved his children and his home and was never so happy as when in their midst. To a 
degree more marked than with most men he was able to mingle with the sports of 
children, and his home was always a welcome playhouse to his children and 
grandchildren.