Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-04-12
Col. {. SHUR1Z D[AD
Pioneer Citizen and Veteran Of
Two Wars Succumbs After
Brief Illness.
Passed Away at Soldiers Home
Hospital. Where He Was
Taken a Week Ago.
Sketch Of Military Career..-Ar-
raneements for the Funeral
Services.

I0US CMOASS Ava suO UASA a
Services.
Col. Elliott Shurtz, a pioneer resi-
dent of lIarshalltown and veteran Of
both the Mexican and civil wars, died
this morning at Z o'clock in the Sol
diers' Home hospital, after an illness
of little more than one week. Col.
Shurtz was taken to the hospital one
week ago today, critically ill with the
grippe, which had brought on heart
trouble, and has since been so Ill that
his recovery was moi. expected.
The death of Col. Shurtz marks the
passing Of one of the bravest of those
soldiers who constituted that grand
army which sprang from civil life in
the hour of the country's need. He
was native of Ohio and was "a years
of age. When a mere. boy he enlisted
from his native state and served thru
the Mexican war with credit. 1t was
this service that gave him an expert
ence Of military affairs that secured
recognition for him during the civil
war. Col. Shurtz came to Marshall
town in the sos and engaged in the
carpentering and building trade. In
1851 he went to the front with Com
pany H, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry, and
was commissioned lieutenant. He was
with his command al. Shiloh, and as
officer of the day on that memorable
occasion he ordered Col. T. d. Nc Elroy,
1.-THE drummer boy of Shiloh" to sound
the alarm when the attack was made,
an incident that was referred to at
length ln these columns few days
ago.
Mr.. Shurtz was severely wounded
at Shiloh, one OF his legs being broken,
and he was compelled to retire from
his country's service Tor a time. When
he was completely recovered, in 1858,
Col Shurtz organized Company /,
Eighth iowa Cavalry. which was raised
in Marshalltown and vicinity, and re-
turned 10 the front as its captain. He
participated in all the battles of Sher-
mans memorable Atlanta campaign,
and on the 30th of July of that year
was taken prisoner, at Newman, Ca,
after again being severely wounded,
this time in both arms. A portion of
his right hand was shot away Re-
manning in southern prison until he
had partially recovered from his
wounds, Col. Shurtz poined his COM
mand and in 1854 he was commissioned
lieutenant colonel of the Eighth Iowa.
He served In that capacity until the
close OF the war, and q portion Of the
time was in command of the regiment
Col. Shurtz returned to MARSHALL
town after his discharge from the SER
vice and this has since been his home
the family occupying the homestead
idence he erected in an early day and
which he recently decided to two Of his
younger children, Fred and Vera. Dur
ing Gen. Grants first term as presi-
dent Col. Shurtz was appointed post
master, position he held for sixteen
years continuously, with the exception
of four years when the late q. N.
Chaplin occupied the office. During the
later years he has lived life of re-
tiremellt, but always was interested in
public affairs. He also served the
public in the capacity Of councilman
from the Second ward.
Col. Shurtz was three times married.
the first time in Ohio. He is survived
by two children by the first wife, two
by the second and one by the third. The
eldest son. Mr.. Frank Shurtz, is resi-
dent of California, and the eldest
Uyo N
Ohio His second wife was Miss Ida
Will, Of this city, who died number of
years ago. Two children. Fred. of this
city, and Vera, who has made her
home with relatives in Ohio for many
years, were born as result of the Sec
ond marriage. Col. Shurtz's third wife
was Mrs. Rasher, who died two years
ago, leaving one son, now years of
age. This son resides with an aunt at
Sac City.
Col. Shurtz was a man Of vigorous
constitution, and aside from his nu-
merous army wounds he suffered later
accidents which further physically in
capacitated him. A few years ago he
was accidentally shot while hunting
and lost his left arm as a result and
later he fell on an Icy walk and broke a
hip He could not remain inactive.
however, and while badly crippled he
was a familiar figure on the streets un-
til ter. days ago. When he became i'll
admission was secured to the Soldiers
Home hospital, where better care could
be given him.
Col. Shurtz was member of Mar
shall Lodge of Masons and also of st.
Aldenar Commandery, knights Tenn
plar, and Frank M. Thomas Post. G. A.
r. The commandery will have charge
of the funeral services. which will be
conducted at 3 o'clock Monday in the
Masonic hall. The religious services
will be in charge of DR.. j. K. Black, as
sisted by DR.. F. w. Parsons. The MEM
bers of the G. A. r. will attend the flu
neral, and the pail bearers will be
selected from among his surviving
comrades of Company I. The G. A. f.
will also conduct services at the grave.
The children residing at a distance
have been notified, and it is possible
some Of them will be present.