CEDAR COUNTY, NEBRASKA - SIMPSON Horace Warner ==================================================================== NEGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the NEGenWeb Archives by Carol Tramp. ====================================================================== NOTE: civil war vet Laurel Advocate 8/1/1945 Graveside Rites for H. Simpson Held Here Thursday Afternoon in Charge of Masons and Legion The following complete obituary of Horace W. Simpson is taken from the Faulkton, S.D. paper and sent to us by relatives. It will be of interest to the many friends of the Simpson family in this community. Funeral services for Horace W. Simpson last surviving South Dakota veteran of the Civil War, were held Tuesday afternoon at his home in the simple quiet manner in which he had always preferred to live. Last rites were conducted. Rev. Jack Costikyan, pastor of the Congregational church spoke briefly on the topic, “A Little while” taken from John 16:18. For cannon Post, American Legion gave the ritual service with H.O. Turner, Commander and Ed Biedefeld, Champlain. Erick Nystrom gave the Masonic Service. The remains were taken to Laurel, NE., for burial. Eric Nystrom, H.O. Turner, Ed Biedefeld and S.S. Meier acted as pallbearers. Otto Marschinse, Charles Deiter, Carl Blake, Chauncy Tanner, Gerald Roberts, and Mike Baughs acted as color guard and color bearers. Horace Warner Simpson was born at Pecatonica, Illinois April 5, 1848 and died at Faulkton, S.D. July 20, 1945. His early boyhood was spent on a Rockford farm and he attended the rural schools there. Hearing on of the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates when he was a lad of ten years was boyhood experience which he much prized. Shortly before he became 16 years of age he enlisted in Co. F. 23rd Illinois Infantry and served 18 months under General Grant in the Eastern Army, receiving his discharge at the end of the Civil War, on August 4, 1865. After participating in the siege of Richmond, his regiment was the second unit to enter that city. He was the only surviving veteran of the Civil War in the state of South Dakota. On December 31, 1868, he married Harriet R. Davis of Rockford, and for one year they lived on a farmer near that place. In 1879, they moved to a farm near Manchester, Iowa, where they spent ten years. Later they located near Lyons in Burt county, Nebraska. In 1892 another move to Cedar County was made. While he was physically able to do so, he keenly enjoyed his farm life. Always alert to the better methods for production of good crops and good livestock, he was known for the fine quality of his products. After retiring from the active life of the farm, he spent much of his time reading and maintaining his intelligent interest in and knowledge of world affairs. He enjoyed also, working with the growing things in his garden, which activity was continued until the day of his death. Mr. Simpson was an unassuming reticent man. His devotion to the principles of honesty, truth and square-dealing won him the respect and admiration of the entire community and his many friends will miss his presence among them. Surviving him are two sons, Charles Simpson of Sioux City, Iowa and Roy Simpson of LaGrande, Oregon; four daughters, Mrs. J.E. Wright, Farsyth, Montana, Miss Gertrude Simpson, Faulkton, S.D., Mrs. C.S. Mills, Sheridan, Wyoming and Mrs. H.R. Grant, Renton, WN., His wife and one daughter Mrs. W.C. Frederick preceded him in death. There are also 11 grandchildren, 13 great–grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Graveside services were held at the Laurel Cemetery. Thursday afternoon, the services being in charge of the local Masonic Lodge. Rev. Erwin Kiel, of the Methodist Church read the Scriptures and offered prayer after which the Mason’s service was give by Jess Louther of Coleridge. The American Legion then gave the last honor, the firing squad firing the salute over the grave as taps sounded in the distance. A number of friends of the family were present for the graveside service. Laurel Advocate July 25, 1945 Last Civil War Vet of S. D. is Dead Horace W. Simpson To Be Buried Here Thursday Past 97 Years Old. Was Laurel Citizen Horace W. Simpson, last civil War veteran of the state of South Dakota, died at his home in Faulkton, S.D. on Friday, July 20th. Death came to him suddenly and he had been hoeing in his garden just previous to his passing away. He was 97 years, 4 months and 14 days of age at the time of his passing. Mr. Simpson, who was born at Pecatonica, Illinois on March 6, 1848 came with his wife to this community when the town was still known as Claramont. They engaged in farming here until 1897 when Mrs. Simpson died and he then moved to Faulkton, S.D. to engage in farming and that place has since been his home. As stated before he was a veteran of the Civil War, serving with distinction in the great struggle, and was South Dakota’s last survivor of that war. Funeral services were held at the home in Faulkton Tuesday afternoon in charge of the Masonic lodge of that city. The body will then be brought to Laurel for interment in the Laurel Cemetery under the direction of the local Masonic Lodge at 2 pm on Thursday. Mr. Simpson is survived by six children, Charles of Sioux City, Mrs. J.E. Wright of Billings, Montana, Gertrude of Faulkton, S.D. Mrs. C.D. Mills of Sheridan, Wyoming, Mrs. H.R. Grant of Seattle, Washington, and Roy E., LaGrand, Oregon. We join the many friends of the bereaved family in offering deepest sympathy in the loss of this good man.