The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-09-15
WELL KNOWN VETERAN
AND WRESTLER DEAD
George w. Flagg Died at East Braintree
Sunday Afternoon-Was Champion
of the Army of the Potomac.

East Braintree, Sept. l5.---George w.
Flagg, well.known throughout the state
and beyond through his wrestling ability
of former years, his war record and the
town offices he held, died yesterday aft
ernoon at 2 o'clock at his home here fol-
lowing a number of shocks. He had been
confined to the bed about 10 days. The
funeral is to be held Tuesday afternoon
at 2 o'clock at the house.
Mr.. Flagg was born in Braintree, April
o, 1880, the son of Austin and Mary f.
tHarwoodl Flagg He was educated in
the common schools of Braintree and at
Randolph academy. He remained upon
his fathers farm until he was 20 years
old and then was a day laboreT until the
breaking out of the Civil war, enlisting
in May, 1861 sat Montpelier, in Co. F,
second regiment, Vermont Volunteers,
and participating in every engagement
in which the old Vermont brigade bore
part, from Bull Run to Appamattox. He
was constantly on duty, but for one
month was disabled by wound received
in the battle Of the Wilderness. May 3,
1864, his brigade was the first to enter
Petersburgh, when General Grant ad
yanced on Richmond Mr.. Flagg enlisted
as a private, served four years, partici-
pated in 25 battles and was promoted to
the rank of sergeant. He as such more,
than once commanded his company in
the absence of all the superior officers.
He was honorably discharged as first lieu
tenant with breyet captain, July %, 1865.
He was in command and took home to
the state the only company organized i'll
the capital of the state during the war.
At the close of the war he married
Della A. Howard and purchased a farm
here, being for many years well-known
breeder of Cotswold sheep and receiving
many medals and prizes for exhibits at
fairs To Mr. and Mrs. Flagg were born
two sons, Lester G. and Bert c., Mrs,
Flagg and the latter son dying many
years ago.
Showing great aptitude for collar
and elbow wrestling when a boy, he in
creased in skill until he was the acknowl-
edged champion of the army of the
Potomac and from the age Of 35 to 4S he
travelled extensively in most of the
northern states, giving exhibitions of his
proficiency, and his only rival was H. VI.
Dufur, with whom he had many. hard
fought battles.
At the age of IS he lost his last fall
flor business) and for Is years knew no
difference in men, for he could throw
any man he met in five minutes, He
defeated the renowned Indian chief Tip
sico in Michigan at back hold match
and in New England appeared at fairs
and large gatherings for years During
his wrestling career he wrestled no less
than 200 matches and after each cam
paign of travels he returned TO work on
the farm, never training for match or
series of matches.
Mr.. Flagg was very jealous for tenn
perance, never tasting liquor and always
advocating the cause Of temperance by
speeches and daily living In politics,
he was Republican and besides filling
many town offices he represented it in
the legislature Of 1885 He was mem
her of the Phnnix lodge of Masons of
Randolph and for many years was com
mander of L. S. Grant post, G. A. r., of
that place.
About four years ago, Mr.. Flagg was
married to Mrs. Hannah Batchelder of
Barre, and they have since made their
home in this village Mrs Flagg sur
wives him, and his son, Lester, who re-
sides in Brockton, Mass.