Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-05-20
Death Of Capt. John r. vsrtsursr.

DeoeA OF Capt Joh4 T. VoAkeufe0s
When we announced last week the
serious illness Of Capt. vankeuren, we
little expected to be called upon to
record his death in our next issue.
His illness, though brief, has been
critical all along, complication of his
old troubles, diabetes and rheumatism,
ultimately causing death. He passed
away quietly at Up. m. Wednesday,
and the funeral Is being held this after
noon in the M. E. church as we go to
press. The interment will be in Sioux
City in his brothers lot, and the old
veteran will sleep his last sleep sur.
rounded by many living friends and
dead comrades.
About month ago it was the privi.
lege OF the editor to meet Capt. Van
keuren for the first and only time In
life. We had q half hours earnest con-
versation. He showed the utmost
interest in THE COURIER and its well
fare, and he has always been one Of It's
most loyal supporters. We felt that in
him we had found a true friend, and 80
open and confiding was his nature, that
that brief interview seemed to give US
better acquaintance with the man
than many others we have known for
months.
THE COURIER with the whole COM
munity unites in expressing to the
bereayed relatives their sincere and
deep sympathy. The more personal
history of his life, and an adequate
estimate of his character we are not
able to give this week. Below are the
principal facts of his war record
which, for length OF service and faith
fulness in their discharge, were sell
dom paralleled:
John +. Vankeuren enlisted June II.
1861, at Ionia, Mich, in the First
Regiment of the Michigan Engineers
and Mechanics. He served under Gen.
Geo. H. Thomas in Kentucky, and
among others was in engagements at
Lebanon and Mill Springs. After the
death Of Gen. Felix Zollecoffer, Mr..
Vankeuren assisted in splicing to-
gether two old rife boxes for q rude
coffin, in which the dead rebel was
buried. He marched to Nashville,
Tenn, arriving March Z, 1862, the
rebels soon after evacuating. He was
appointed Steward OF the College
Hospital at Nashville, and served in
tt is capacity some four months. July
10th, 1862 he was commissioned Second
Lieutenant by Gov. Andrew johnson,
afterwards President johnson. After
this service he entered Company H.,
Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, and was at
the battle of Stone River, Dec. 26, 1852.
For eleven consecutive days he partici-
pated in one or two engagements each
day. June Goth, 1863 he was at the
Shelbyville engagement. At Guys
Gap his regiment charged and captured
the position, and held It against great
ly superior numbers. He was with
Gen. Gordon Granger at Cullahoma,
Hollowville, McMinville, Elk River
Bridge and Tracy City, Tenn. At
Stevenson, Ala. Sept. /, 1863, at Battle
Creek, Sept. 4, and Chicamaugua Sept.
10th. Later he went 10 Knoxville
under Burnside, Was in engagements
at Varnell's Station and Dalton, Ga.
Nov. &c, 1864 he went back with prison
ers to Nashville. Feb. 8, 1866 he was
commissioned captain in the Tenth
Michigan Cavalry. In March following
he was detailed to the pay department
under Col. Howard. In April he was
detailed "a mastering out officer, and
served until June Is, 1866. He was in
the:active service over four years and
one month.
Capt. Vankeuren was wounded at
Guys Gap and McMinville, Tenn. He
drew at the time Of his death pension
Of only sl2 per month.