The National tribune., 1896-06-25
COMRADE RICHARD.

Grover Post, Department of New York,
Claims TO Have Mustered the oldest Vet
eran.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Grover Post,
9s Department of New York, claims TO have
mustered the oldest veteran in the United
States AT an adjourned meeting in q. r..
Hall. May 81, Grover Post mustered Israel
Ri,kard, aged % years and FIVE months, lacking
10 days
1t was an impressive scene the aged vet
ersn Stood before the open Bible and crossed
swords, in the presence of - of his comrades,
and with strong voice repeated after Senior
Vice Commander ]. F. Wheeler the obligation
of the Oder. When the flag was repeated
he voluntarily said: 81 love that flag. 1t
looks good 10 me. j have always stood by it,"
Comrade Israel ckarG was born at Cole
rain, Mass. Dec 81, 1900. 1t was the last day
of the year and last day of the month and last
day OF the week aud the last half hour of the
day, il being near midnight-New Years
Day-when he first breathed the breath OF
life. He was the sixth child of family of
IL children, six boys and six girls. All ex-
cept the comrsde died some years since. His
father died about the age of As and his mother
ut nearly 20.
Early in 1903 Comrade Rckard moved from
Massachusetts, together with his fathers fam
fly to Truxton, n. Y, when the country
was a wilderness. At the age of IL he WAS
bound out TO a farmer and was subject TO him
until he was 81, during which time Comrade
Richard says he had an lax or handspke in
his hand most OF the time"
Reaching his majority, he worked for differ
ent farmers-wherever he could obtain the
best wages. At the age OF 25 he married his
first wife, who was the mother of his two chill
dren, who died in infancy. His wife died
about three years after marriage. About three
years later he married his second wife, who
l..
NO children. Comrade Richard has lived a
widower since.
From two years Of age he had lived in the
town Of Truxton until about 30 years ago, when
he went 10 Pennsylvania, where he lived about
10 years. He then went TO the town of Cort-
lsndville, n. Y, and bought farm. joining the
County House farm. where his last wife died.
Being alone and childless, he broke up house
keeping, and removed about IA years ago TO
30 Clinton avenue, Cortland. y. Y, making
his home with his brother Washington. and
eiuce the latter's death with his nephew, at
the same place.
Comrade Ricksrd is man of powerful build,
muscular and courageous, and has enjoyed
throughout his lie the best of health. He
never called the aid Of a physician but once,
when he had the typhoid pneumonia, from
which he entirely recovered except the in-
pairing OF his eyesight.
He was present at Port Watson at the time
the troops, who had enlisted in this vicinity in
the war Of 1872 marched toward Albany. He
had one brother in the of 1872, aud an
pncle was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill.
Israel Richard enlisted in his 6Ist year in
Capt. LEusiBg's Co. q, 10Th n. Y Sept 80.
1851. and was mustered into the United States
service Oct. A. 1861. lie served as Wagon.
for a time, but that proved unconge-
nial, SO he shouldered his musket and Joined
the ranks private and served faithfully
until discharged on account of disability lie
having lost many OF his teeth. After having
procured artificial teeth be again offered 10
enlist, but was not accepted. on account of age.
When COmrade Richard enlisted he was
five feet 10 inches high aud weighed OBS
pounds. He was always present with his COM
psny, ready aud willing TO obey any order from
his-cfficers, and always on or little ahead of
time at the place Of appointment.
There never was any Sinking or shrink ing
from duty or danger. lie has always marched
every Memorial Day at the head Of the column
o distance Of over two miles 10 aud from the
cemetery, aud the Memorial bay of this
year be had expected 10 do SO again. but was
persuaded to ride in a hack
Nr. Rickard stills enjoys planting and work.
ing the garden. and only this Spring lust past
be walked eight miles distant to Truxton Not
long since. when walking down a fight Of
STAIRS unaided, Comrade ID. i. Greenman offered
10 support him in descending. Not accepting
the offer, he said to Mr.. Greenman &" II Won
are weak will carry you"
Politically Comrsde Richard was a Wing and
then Republican, and has never failed 10 vote
the aforesaid party tickets in every election
each year but once, because Of change of resi-
dence lie voted for Henry Clay for President
in 1924, when Clay ran against Gen. jackson.
Comrade Richard is still very patriotic. and
takes an interest in the welfare Of our country
especially in the matter of protection 10 Ameri-
can industries and sound money.-MARTIN
EDGCoMB Lieutenant, 20. II, 10th " Z. and
Go. d, 18Th n. Y, Cortland. NY.