The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-03-03
Obituary-Robert Ray Marsh

oDituuTy nay NlNISh
Robert Ray Marsh was born June
13, 1912, at Niagara Falls, N. Y.
When young his parents removed I'd
near Milwaukee, Wis, AMI soon af-
terward his mother died, leaving a
family of seven children. Mr.. Marsh
being the oldest son. In less than
three years the father died in Mica
ragua, Central America, and the
children were distributed among
friends and relatives. Always inter-
ested in the affairs of his forefathers
he succeeded with difficulty in OBJ
tanning a complete history of the
family, and by untiring patience and
diligence located all the children,
and kept watchful eye over them
thereafter.
When the rebellion broke out he
was railroading in western New
York, but he decided to enlist. Not
being of age he was refused, but So
determined was he to answer his
country's call for more men, he went
back home. had guardian appoint
ed for himself, and in August, '62,
was enrolled in Company G, 136th
New York under command of Cap
tain Orange Sackett. He was wound
ed seriously but once. The third day
of the Battle of Gettysburg he was
wounded by explosion of shell over
his head, large piece entering his
shoulder, which he carried though
life. After rejoining his command
he went with Gen. Sherman on his
famous march to the sea-
He served to the end of the con-
fict and was discharged at McDou-
gall General hospital, New York, in
'65. His army experiences were so
real and terrible, its carnage so aw-
full, he was very reticent about talk
ing of them. He wished to forget
rather than rehearse the thrilling
adventures and narrow escapes.
At the close of the war after con-
siderable travelling located in Detroit
and in '72 married Miss Ellen e.
Coombs of Coburg, Ontario. In 1874
they moved to Owosso and lived here
until five years ago, returning to De-
troit, where he died February 81.
For many years he had been in poor
health, much of it caused from the
exposure and privations of army life
and his principle comfort in living
was the companionship of his family.
The immediate cause of death was
hardening of the arteries and acute
neuritis.
He is survived by his faithful wife
and four children: Mrs. l.. A. Van
Wagner, Mrs. Charles M. Hamper,
Miss Florence Of Detroit and BENZ.
Il. of South Bend, Ind, to mourn the
loss of loving, untiring companion
and father Two brothers, d. H.
Marsh of Detroit, Mich, B. c. Marsh,
Of Dayton, o., and one sister, Mrs. c.
M. Burr of Los Angeles, Cal, are
bereft of a faithful and devoted
brother.
Mr.. Marsh was of a quiet, retiring
seriously minded and of
a deeply religious nature. He was
known as man of sterling integrity
and strong convictions, having a rea-
SON for them and courage to main
tain and defend them. During his
active years in Owosso he was an
and consistent member of
the First M. e. church and until his
death a member of Martha Holmes
Memorial M. eE. church of Detroit.
services in Detroit were con-
Quoted by his pastor, Rev. Eugene
Moore. assisted by DR.. John Sweet, a
former pastor and personal friend.
The body was accompanied to
Owosso by his brother, Mr.. and Mrs.
Hamper and Benz. Marsh and placed
in Oak Hill cemetery vault to be in
TERED in the spring in the family lot
in Dewey cemetery, west of the city.
Mrs. Marsh sustained broken limb
four months ago and was unable to
the remains. Mr.. Marsh
was a member of Owosso Lodge No.
81, F. e. A. NJ, members of which
formed an escort to the cemetery.
His life was filled with loving SER
vice to family and friends and his re-
ward is the eternal home of the
faithful. Truly to live was Christ,
to die was gain.-"Blessed in the
sight of the Lord is the death of his