This treasure trove of correspondence --- hundreds of painstakingly written pages --- was carried letter by letter via U.S. Mail from Civil War battlefields, encampments of the 6th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and military hospitals between 1861 and 1865, to Miss Mira Strock of Trumbull County, Ohio.
The author was James H. McFarland, who enlisted in the 6th as a private and advanced to the rank of captain before his honorable discharge at the end of the war on August 25, 1865, at Cleveland, Ohio.
Five days later --- on August 30, 1865 --- James and Mira were wed. The following February they arrived in Lucas County to begin a new life. Mira treasured the letters and brought them with her. They have been cared for carefully ever since by her descendants.
The letters made what probably was their final journey via U.S. Mail --- from Colorado to the Chariton Post Office --- late last week, courtesy of their great-grandson, Albert B. Gookin Jr., who has shared several items related to Capt. McFarland (1840-1925) and Mira (1844-1936) with the Lucas County Historical Society. And we're very grateful.
Capt. McFarland was 84 when he died on Jan. 7, 1925, the sole survivor among charter members of Chariton's Daniel Iseminger Post No. 18, Grand Army of the Republic. Here's his obituary from The Herald-Patriot of January 15, 1925:
+++
Captain James Harrison McFarland was born in Pennsylvania on April 24, 1840. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. B. Gookin, at Chariton, Iowa, on January 7, 1925, at the age of 84 years, 8 months and 14 days.
He was the oldest child and only son of Thomas and Maria McFarland. When a young child he moved with his parents to Trumbull County, Ohio. He enlisted in the Union Army from Newton Falls, Ohio, on April 5, 1861. His regiment, the 6th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, was among the first troops in action, and saw service at Bull Run, Gettysburg, Antietam and throughout the eastern theatre of war.
Private McFarland was an ideal soldier, and rose to the command of his company. He had a horse shot from under him at Petersburg, and when Lee surrendered, was appointed Provost Marshall of Washington County court house, in Virginia, which responsibility he carried for several months after the cessation of hostilities. The regiment was mustered out at Cleveland, Ohio, on August 25, 1865.
With his comrades, Captain McFarland returned to civilian affairs gladly, to form one of that patriotic number whose devotion to their country in the ensuing years of peace was as gallant and unswerving as had been their war time service.
Five days after mustering out he was married on August 30, 1865, to Miss Mira O. Strock. In the following February they came to Iowa and made their home on a farm in Cedar township, Lucas County. This was an extremely new region and very lonely and sparsely settled. Their neighbors were eight miles away.
After a few years they moved to what was then the tiny village of Chariton, which continued thereafter to be their home. Mr. McFarland engaged in mercantile pursuits, generally in the clothing business, during the remainder of his entire life.
Five children came to them. Mabel Mira died in infancy and Edward and Mark both passed away when they were on the threshold of manhood. Eugene S. McFarland, who lives at Kansas City and Mrs. Maude Gookin, of Chariton, remain to comfort and care for the bereaved wife and mother in this sad hour.
Captain McFarland was the last surviving charter member of Iseminger Post No. 18, G.A.R. He had held the office of Commander and Officer of the Day. He was also an honorary member of the Mary A. Douglas Tent, No. 2, Daughters of Veterans of General Grant Circle, Ladies of the G.A.R., of Kansas City, and of Major William Warner Camp, Sons of Veterans, of Kansas City.
He regarded his obligation to his native land most seriously and exerted every effort to help the newer generation to appreciate the meaning of patriotism. He was a soldier to the end. He was proud of his horsemanship and kept a good mount as long as he was able to use one.
He scorned a mean action, made good his word and in all things played the man. He was a devoted husband and father and gave much time and attention to his children, joining them in their sports even when he had reached a considerable age. Modest, quiet and unassuming, he nevertheless has left behind a lasting memory for good.
His mother died during the war, and his father some time after that. Two sisters also preceded him in death, Mrs. Rachel Brisbine and Mrs. Jennie Van Kirk. Two other sisters remain, Mrs. Ella Taylor, of Sherwood, Mich., and Mrs. Mary Nelson, of Chicago. These, with the wife and two children join in mourning their common loss.
No comments:
Post a Comment