Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Gilden, Charles H. 1916
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net August 26, 2010, 3:20 pm

The Portland Observer, Thursday, May 25, 1916


Portland’s Grand Army Post laid another comrade away in the township cemetery 
this (Thursday) afternoon—the fifth to die since the beginning of the year.  
This time it was Charles H. Gilden’s turn to go the way of his forefathers.  
Mr. Gilden’s death occurred Tuesday morning at 7:30 at his home on Lincoln 
street, after an illness of three months with paralysis of the lungs.  Dr. T. 
C. Buskirk, who treated him, says the man was entirely free from disease, but 
simply worn out and beyond revitalization.

Mr. Gilden’s life, and particularly his war record, make up an interesting 
obituary.  He was a member of a family of nine children and was born in the 
village of Barton, near Yarmouth, England, January 27, 1845, accompanying his 
parents to the United States four years later.  The voyage from Liverpool to 
New York was made in one of the crude sailing vessels typical of that time and 
the trip consumed a period of eleven full weeks, not without incident.  On the 
way across the boat collided with another ship and narrowly escaped being sent 
to the bottom.  It also encountered a terrific storm when in mid-ocean and was 
violently tossed about for several days.  Though but four years of age at the 
time, Mr. Gilden remembered the trip distinctly.

His parents settled in the village of Waterport, N.Y., upon reaching America 
and it was here, in later years, that Mr. Gilden apprenticed himself to a 
carriage maker and learned the trade.  Then, in 1861, the civil war broke 
out.  Mr. Gilden was but 16 years of age at the time, but when President 
Lincoln sent out his first call for volunteers he was one of the first from 
his town to respond.  He enlisted from Batavia, N.Y.  July 24, 1862, he was 
enrolled as a corporal in Company C, Eighth Regiment of New York Heavy 
Artillery, and was sent to the front.  He took part in a number of important 
engagements, including the battle of Cold Harbor, the Appomattox campaign, the 
siege of Peterburg, and the fight before the Spotsylvania Courthouse.  August 
25, 1964, he was shot through the face at Ream’s Station, Va., on the Weldon 
railroad, and nearly died from his injuries.  He carried the scar to his dying 
day.  He was honorably discharged on account of disability from the Hanwood 
general hospital, near Washington, May 29, 1865.

Two of Mr. Gilden’s brothers, Benjamin and Robert Gilden, died in the Union 
service.  Benjamin was killed at Gettysburg by the bursting of a cannon ball.  
Robert died of natural causes during one of the southern campaigns.

During the time he was at the front Mr. Gilden’s parents moved from New York 
to Michigan.  They settled at East Paris, Kent county, and it was here that 
Mr. Gilden came after being discharged from the military hospital at 
Washington.  In 1870 he came to Portland and on July 17th of the following 
year was married to Miss Arvilla Francis, of this place, who survives him.  
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilden, two of them, a boy and a girl, 
dying when young.  The two who survive are Mrs. Chauncey Guilford, of Danby, 
and Charles F. Gilden, of Portland.  There are also three sisters and one 
brother living.  The sisters are Miss Mary A. Gilden, of East Paris, Mrs. 
Betsy Eckler, of Waterport, N.Y., and Mrs. L. H. VanAmburg, of Cascade 
township, Kent county.  The only surviving brother is James D. Gilden, of East 
Paris.

For 25 years after coming to Portland Mr. Gilden followed the carriage maker’s 
trade, at one time operating a shop in the building now occupied by Bauer & 
Lehman.  This he was forced to give up 20 years ago on account of his health, 
being unable to further withstand the confinement.  Since that time he had 
followed the carpenter’s trade.  It was not until two years ago that he gave 
up work entirely.  He was a first class workman and a genuine good citizen.  
Politically he was a democrat and in state and national matters always voted 
his ticket.  He was probably as well posted on current events as any man in 
Ionia county, and was particularly conversant with the movements of the 
several armies engaged in the present European war.

James Plumb and Grant D. Blackman, fellow workmen, Herbert Shaffer and Judson 
O. Hendee, neighbors of deceased, were pall bearers at the funeral, held this 
(Thursday) afternoon at 2:00 o’clock at the late residence.  Members of the 
Grand Army Post, dwindling in number as each year goes by, attended the last 
rites in a body.  Rev. John H. Stewart, a long standing friend of the family, 
officiated.  Burial took place on the family lot in Portland cemetery.


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