PIERCE COUNTY NEBRASKA CIVIL WAR DATABASE – K

KELLY, JOHN; Homeless

Possibly:

Illinois 51^st Infantry Company A - Private

Enlistment Date: 23 September 1861 Chicago, Illinois

Pierce County Call; Pierce, Nebraska; 22 December 1899

A stranger was found dead in his bed at the Turner hotel Wednesday morning. He gave his name as John Kelly and was noticed for the first time about town last Saturday by Marshal Goff who provided him with lodging and several meals. He was in the neighborhood of 60 years and claimed to have served in the 51^st Illinois regiment during the war of the rebellion. His home, he said, was formerly in Wisconsin, but he had not been back for some years. His business at one time was railroading, but an accident incapacitated him from following this business and so he took to roving around the country. He told the same story to several of our citizens and business men and there is no reason to doubt it. He said he would like to go to the poor house but on being informed that he would have to stay here a certain number of days to gain access to that institution he said he couldn’t stay in any one place that long and thought he would move on. On Tuesday evening he met Wm. Sloan and appealed to him for a place to sleep. Will took the old man over to the Turner house and had the clerk provide a bed. In the morning Landlord Turner knocked on the door to arouse the sleeper but received no response; he tried the door but found it locked. Later he tried the door again with the same result. He then went down to the office and informed Wm. Sloan, who had just come in, of the occurrence. They both went to the room and broke in the door finding the old man dead. A coroner’s inquest was held which found that deceased came to his death form some unknown cause. He was then taken to Reppert’s undertaker’s establishment and prepared for burial. Nothing was found on his person to enlighten one as to his former home, where he came from here or the name or whereabouts of any relative. Yesterday the body was placed in a coffin and taken to the cemetery by several citizens and old soldiers, where a few words and prayer were said by Rev. Brande.

KERN, WILLIAM C.; Osmond

B: 5 July 1842 New Jersey D: 26 October 1912 B: Gaslin Cemetery; Lincoln

County, Nebraska

Sources: 1893 Nebraska Veterans Census

Notes: 1900 Pierce County Census – Blacksmith

KERSHNER, DAVID J.; Osmond

Boss Carpenter, General Thomas

Sources: 1890 Veterans Census

KILE, RANSOM C.; Plainview (Antelope County)

B: 23 December 1835 Lowell, Indiana D: 28 July 1933 Plainview, Nebraska

Burial: Plainview Memorial Cemetery

Indiana 38^th Infantry Company I - Private

Enlistment Date: 10 November 1864 Michigan City, Indiana

Mustered Out: 15 July 1865 Louisville, Kentucky

Sources: Cemetery Record

Sons of Union Veterans Database

Pierce County Call; Pierce, Nebraska; 10 August 1933; page 5

Last Veteran Gone

Plainview’s last veteran of the civil war answered to the final “long roll” last week. He was not only the last civil war veteran of that city but the oldest citizen and resident, being 98 years of age.

Ransom Kile was born near Lowell, Ind., Dec. 23, 1835, and died at his home in Plainview, Friday, July 28.

He enlisted, at the beginning of the Civil war, in the 73^rd Indiana infantry. After several months service he became critically ill and was sent home to died, but regained his health and re-enlisted in the 33^rd Indiana regiment, and served to the close of the war.

Mr. Kile lived for a time in Iowa and came to Nebraska in 1884. He resided on a farm four miles west of Plainview until 1903 when he moved to town.

He was twice married, the first time to Mary Powers who was the mother of six sons, only one of whom is living. His second marriage was to Miss Flavia Felt who survives him. Others who survive are: one son, Milford Kile, Creighton; three daughters-in-laws, Mesdames M. L. Kile, Creighton; L. E. Kile, Crawford, and W. T. Kile, Plainview, eleven grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and eleven great great grandchildren.

KINKAID, SKILES W.; Colbergen

B: May 1833 Pennsylvania D: 21 March 1907 Burial: Broken Bow

Cemetery; Broken Bow, Nebraska

Iowa 14^th Infantry Company A

Enlistment Date: 21 August 1862 Princeton, Iowa

Mustered Out: 16 November 1864 Davenport, Iowa

Sources: 1890 Veterans Census

Pension File

Sons of Union Veterans Database

Pierce County Call; Pierce, Nebraska; 28 March 1907; page 8

S. W. Kinkaid Dead.

Eugene Kinkaid returned this morning from Broken Bow, where he was called last week by the death of his father, S. W. Kinkaid, who passed away on the 21^st inst. of Bright’s disease. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon. Mrs. John Buffington, of St. Paul, a daughter of deceased, also attended the funeral. Deceased was 74 yeas of age. He came to Pierce county in 1872 and homesteaded a piece of land on the Willow, being on of our well known and respected pioneers. Some years ago he disposed of his interests here and moved to St. Paul, Nebr. Later he located at Merna, where he conducted a store, and then moved to Broken Bow where he lived until Death called him to the other world.

At the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Kinkaid enlisted in his country’s cause and served loyally and faithfully through the long and bitter struggle. He was a man who made warm friends and was respected and esteemed by all. Peace to his ashes.

KIRK, WILLIAM THOMAS; Plainview

B: 30 November 1845 Murphysville, Kentucky D: 21 January 1933 Burial: Plainview Memorial Cemetery

Kentucky 16^th Infantry Company G – Corporal

Enlistment Date: 28 October 1861

Mustered Out: 15 July 1865 Company Shops, North Carolina

Sources: 1890 Veterans Census

1893 Nebraska Veterans Census

Pension File

Cemetery Record

Sons of Union Veterans Database

The Plainview News; Plainview, Nebraska; 26 January 1933; Page 1

Pioneer Citizen Passes Away

Had Been Resident of Plainview for Past Forty-Three Years.

This community was saddened last Saturday when news of the death of W. T. Kirk was circulated about town. Although there had not been hope held out for his recover it was nevertheless a sad event in the entire community as he passed on to the great beyond where he answered the final summons of taps. Mr. Kirk was one of the two remaining Civil War veterans in Plainview and was well know to everyone having resided here since 1890. He was one of the true pioneers of this country and was connected with every worthwhile undertaking in the community.

William Thomas Kirk, son of Washington and Mary Kirk was born near Murphysville, Kentucky, November 30, 1845. There he grew to manhood and received a common school education. At the age of 16 he enlisted as a volunteer with the 16^th Kentucky regiment and served three years and nine months. When peace was declared he received an honorable discharge wit honors of service well rendered. He was never wounded although he was ever ready to perform any task assigned him and many times volunteered for special service brought with personal danger. The first duty after enlistment was with those given the task of routing Morgan and his raiders, later his regiment were with General Sherman as the famous march to the sea was begun but the detachment of which Mr. Kirk was a member was sent back to intercept General Hood in his intended invasion of the north. When these forces met in one of the decisive battles of the war, that at Franklin, Tenn., this man was there and it was one of the memorable events of his army career as it occurred on this 18^th birthday.

On November 28, 1867, he married Mary B. Gault and for nearly 65 years these people tread together the pathway of life, sharing joys, sorrows and hardships and of all there were many.

Coming to Nebraska in 1871 they located first at Rulo, ten years later they made Antelope county their home where they homesteaded a farm three miles north of the present site of Brunswick. They were pioneers by choice and took pleasure in helping to tame and building up this new country. In the spring of 1890 they came to Plainview and builded (sic) the home in which they resided until the end came.

Mr. Kirk was a man who commanded the respect and goodwill of his fellowman. He held decided conviction and was not afraid to voice them, yet he approached all with an open mind and fairness and right entered into his considerations regardless of personal ambitions.

He took an intense interest in matters pertaining to the welfare of the country and community.

The high esteem in which he was held is indicated by the many words of commendation coming from those who have known him for half a century. He held great concern for his fellowmen and never allowed anyone to suffer if it were possible for him to prevent it. Although in very moderate circumstances himself many are the instances in which he saw to it personally that his neighbor, in need were provided for and often said, “God gave it to me and it is my duty to use it to help others as far as I can.”

He is survived by three sons, Werter L., Fort Lupton, Colo., Charles G., Spencer and George W., Plainview; one sister, Mrs. Anna Lockwood, St. Joseph, Mo., 13 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held from the home on Monday afternoon with Rev. E. T. Antrim speaking. He was borne to his last rest by the three sons and three grandsons and was laid to rest in the east cemetery by the side of the wife and mother who passed away last August. Military honors were accorded by the local American Legion post.

KNOUSE, JACOB; Pierce

B: 20 August 1843 Chester, Pennsylvania D: 18 November 1929 Burial:

Prospect View Cemetery; Pierce, Nebraska

Wisconsin 6^th Infantry Company E - Private

Enlistment Date: 29 September 1864 Kendall, Wisconsin

Wounded 2 April 1865 at Five Forks, Virginia

Mustered Out: 16 June 1865

Sources: 1893 Nebraska Veterans Census

Cemetery Records

Sons of Union Veterans Database

Pierce County Call; Pierce, Nebraska; 28 November 1919; Page 4

Funeral of Last Civil War Veteran

The funeral services of Jacob Knouse, the last Civil War veteran in Pierce, were held last Thursday afternoon at the Methodist church at about half past two o’clock.

The casket was draped in the flag of his country which he served during the last months of the Civil War.

Rev. Walter S. Henry, of the Congregational church, delivered a short sermon to those present—the minter saying that his remarks were addressed to the living and not to the dead.

A male quartet consisting of Rev. Walter S. Henry, A. L. Brande, T. B. Buerkle and C. B. Brande, sang three familiar hymns.

After the services the remains were taken to Prospect View cemetery where they were laid to rest beside those of his wife. Bugler Chas. Chilvers sounded “taps” at the grave. The pall bearers were World War veterans, viz: Clark Moore, W. L. Lea, Roy Synovec, Roy Peters, Bruce Boyd and H. Lee James.

Jacob Knouse was born at Chester, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1843, and at the time of his death was aged 86 years, 2 months and 28 days.

At an early age he moved to Wisconsin with his parents. Here he grew to young manhood and was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Santiford.

To this union were born eight children. One son, John, of Pierce, and two daughters, Mesdames S. C. Davis, of Springview, Nebraska and Elvina Dobbing, of Akaton, S. D., survive. One brother, two sisters and several grand children also remain to mourn his loss.

Mr. Knouse was a veteran of the Civil War—enlisting in Co. E, 6^th Wisconsin Regiment Volunteer infantry on September 29, 1864. He was discharged on June 16, 1865.

In reading the obituary of Mr. Knouse, Rev. Henry said in part: “We shall ever remember our Civil War veterans and their valorious (sic) deeds. They were men who loved to be patriotic in the time of the nation’s crisis. They gladly stepped out from their duties and loved ones and offered their all upon the altar of the nation. Heroes all they served to uphold and perpetuate the honor of the land. No greater tribute could be paid to any Civil War veteran than the presence of the World War veterans, who have participated so tenderly in these last sad rites, the flag flying at half mast and the appellation, patriot. Up until the past few years there were always a few Civil War veterans present at such a sad service as this—living again the many events and scenes of the personal contact with war as it was waged in those days.”