Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-17
SURVIVORS OF THE "eRAY.
Boards"
"GRAY-

Boards"
In an account of the death of Alex
ander McGarraugh. which occurred re-
Gently in Des Moines, the Des Moines
Capital says:
Alexander McGarraugh, father of j.
D. McGarraugh, an Iowa pioneer and
member of the famous gray-beard
regiment which went out from Iowa
and saw service in the civil war, died
at the home of his son, 403 Eleventh
street, after lingering ILLNESS. Mr.
McGarraugh's death was due to old
age and heart failure He is believed
seventh Iowa regiment, he having
ranked as second sergeant in Company
l of that organization, serving three
years in that capacity. Mr.. McGar-
raugh was born in Fayette county,
Pennsylvania, July 16, 1919, and would
have been SO years of age this month"
In regard to the claim made by the
Capital that the late Mr.. McGarraugh
was the last surviving member of the
famous gray-beard regiment the Keo-
sauqua Republican has the following
to say:
''The Capital is in error about Mr.
McGarraugh being the last survivor
of the famous gray-beard regiment.
George Washington Brown, a resi-
dent Of Keosauqua and an old settler
of Van Buren, county, was a member
of Company c., Thirty-seventh Iowa
Infantry, (gray-beards,) and though in
his ninetieth year frequently walks
from his home across the Des Moines
to the main part Of town and enjoys
himself visiting with old friends whom
he meets on the streets. Mr. Brown
was born near Ft. Littleton, Hunting
ton county, Pa, February IL, 1913. He
served nine months with the gray
boards and was discharged from a
hospital at st. Louis Capt. Hall was
in command of his company Mr.
Brown is quite feeble but his friends
hope for considerable lease of life
| for him yet. If our exchanges can find
any other living members of the gray
| Boards" we would like to hear who
they are and where they are and Of
what company they were members.
Otherwise Van Buren, county will
claim the distinction of having the on
| ly living member Of that regiment"
also numbers a survivor of this not
able organization among it's inhabi-
tants in the person of G. w. Derby
who resides ON his farm in Adams
township in the vicinity of Blakes-
burg. After the first call for troops
he enlisted in the Thirty-seventh Iowa
Infantry and served as member OF
the famous "gray-beard" regiment
throughout the war. Charles w. Der
by is a native of Vermont, having
been born in that state June 23, 1916.
In 1S45 he came wit his fanny to Iowa
and settled in Adams township in Wa
pello county, on the farm where he
now resides. Though in his eighty
sixth year, Mr.. Derby still enjoys good
health. During the years of his resi-
dence in this county he has been ac-
lively connected with the public inter
ests and has assisted in promoting the
welfare of his locality. He is one of
Wapello county's most highly respect
ed and esteemed citizens.
4 Since the notice concerning the two
survivors of the noted Thirty-seventt
Iowa regiment appeared in last even
ing's Courier the intelligence comes
from ]. W. Hughes of East Fourth
street. that his father-in-law, Johr
Conner, ST., who now resides in Cort
land, Neb., was also a member of thai
famous organization better known al
the Graybeards." Mr.. Conner came tt
this state in the early days of it's his
tory and settled in Henry county neal
Mt. Pleasant and with the exception
of short time spent in Des Moines
made his home in that vicinity for al
most thirty years. From that locality
Mr.. Conner enlisted in the early days
of the war for the union and serve.
with his regiment throughout the Ions
and bloody contest that followed. Dur
ing the years spent in the southland
! Mt. Conner won the affection of
southern woman, whom he marie,
!, and brought with him to his northern
. home. A number of years ago he NOV
ed to Nebraska and settled near Cort
land, where he now owns fruit farm
Though nearing his ninetieth year Mr.
Conner is said to be in good health
: and busies himself looking after tn,
welfare Of his homestead.
]. B. Conner who now resides in Al
bia, is son of Mr.. Conner With tn
: discovery that Mr.. Conner was mem
: Der Of the 'Graybeards" another know
survivor of that famous organization
has been added to its deciminatet
4 ranks. Only three living members o
the organization, c. w. Derby, G
: Adams township, Wapello county
!, George w. Brown of Keosauqua, an
: Mr.. Conner, are at the present know
, and it is probable that within a YER
: short time the last of these heroes vii
81 have answered the last roll call.
). INTERVIEWS AT LONG RANGE.