Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-22
In Memorian,
Samuel Minniok.

Samuel Minniok.
Sunday word spread over KeosauQua
telling the sad news that during husn
of the night the grim reaper hao paio
his visit to earth and Samuel Minnlck,
a veteran of two wars had answered the
last roll call. 1t has been known Tor
three months or more that his health
was falling, his familiar face was miss
ed from the streets, that he preferred
to rest rather than visit with his friends
and finally that he was confined TO MS
bed. SO his departure was not wnoliy d
surprise.
He was a remarkable man. He enlist
ed In the Mexican war IN April lS4o
when the call came for volunteers. He
enlisted in the second Pennsylvania
volunteers under General Scott. With
his regiment he went to New Orleans,
thence took passage on the boat Amer
ican crossing the Gulf OF Mexico they
landed at Vera Cruz where they took
the. city. He with his company Joined
in that long remembered zoo mile
march to Mexico City. He took part IN
the battles Of Contreras and Cheruous-
CO and helped to storm Chapultepec
when the City Of Mexico surrendered.
Then the army turned their steps home
ward making the 200 mile march again
back to Vera Cruz where they who were
so fortunate as to have their lives
spared. took the boat for the United
States. returning to his home IN Hv.
erett. Pa, where he was mustered OUT
Aug T. 1S48. That he had been brave
soldier and that he loved his country
well he very clearly demonstrated when
for the second time he offered himself
sacrifice for his country. This time
was when the war clouds Of the south
settled down over the country and the
call came to arms to defend the union
He again answered tho call. He enlist
ed In Co. f 18th Iowa infantry. Bidding
his wife and babies good bye he march
! ed away again to war. He took part In
many Of the battles, fought in the bat
tie OF Shiloh. at Vicksburg. Atlantic and
many other smaller battles. He was
| with the boys during their march
throught the Carolinas and with Sher-
man on his famous march to the sea-
Few soldiers retire with better,
cleaner record Of service than did he.
! During this war struggle he march 81
500 miles. He was never wounded BY
an enemy, never in prison, never In the
guard house, never in the hospital,
never on extra duty and never missed
roll call but once. This happened be-
cause he was sent on some errand and
the officer failed to recognize him when
he returned. So the arrest which de-
tanned him about Ave minutes-long
enough to miss roll call.
He received injuries one day while
burg landing. The comrade in front OF
him stumbled, fell, stuck his bayonet
in the ground and the butt Of the gun
struck Mr.. Minnick In the side. break
| ing several ribs, but he refused to 90
| to the hospital for treatment. This was
his only injury received during the two
| wars.
At the close Of the civil war he was
mustered out and was happy to return
to his wife and little family at Keosau-
qua.
When the Spanish American war
was on his only son John enlisted ana
this aged veteran begged that he might
20 In the sons place. Mr.. Minnick was
born in Everett. Pa, Feb. IL. 1928: He
was married to Miss Julia Amick at
Bedford. Pa, Dec. rs. 1s4s which was
the brides birthday. sD.--
In 1852 they came out west" max
ing most Of the way by steam boat, the
| remainder by wagon and located at
Keosauqua. which was then just In Its
| infancy. And this has been their con-
| tinuous home. Mr.. Minnick was cab
| met maker and followed this business
| for many years and It was always said
Of his work. well done"
He has been member Of Harper
post G.. A. r. ever since its organiza-
ton. This year for the first time his ia :
miliar face was missed from the line or
| march on Decoration day.
Sixty seven years ago<last Christmas
they were married. All these years
they have shared life's Joys and sor-
rows and when the death angel came to
their home at 1O:45 Saturday night
and too kaway Mr.. Minnick who was
! pnst 90 years OF age. 1t was his, first
visit to this home. Surely they can say
with the psalmist THE Lord has been
| merciful." Besides his aged companion
he Is survived by one son. John. Sara n
Riden and Mary who are at home with
their parents and Mrs. Ida Beer of
Keokuk Also seven grandchildren ana
one great grandchild. besides comrades.
friends and neighbors. Funeral services
were held from the CONGREGATIONAL
church at O.: 80 Monday p. m. conducted
bv Rev. C. F. Perkins. The beautiful
. flowers were silent tribute to
, this honored hero. bespeaking OF the
/ high esteem in which he is held In the
community.
The pail bearers were Geo. Summer
vile, Bert Stottsberry. Oscar McCrary,
J. A. Maltbie, r. r. McBeth and Fl. Fl.
Marriott, all being sons Of veterans.
The honorary pail bearers were mem
bers OF his company. Burial took place
in Purdom cemetery.-Contribut
, . ALBA.