Last Union Veteran In County Passes Away At Of 91 Years

Martin Luther Bruton, the last Union Soldier of the Civil war living in Barry county, died Tuesday, Apr 18, at his home near Golden, at the age of 91 years. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Walter Head of Golden. Burial was in the Viney cemetery north of Golden, with the Koon Undertakers in charge.

He was born Dec 22, 1847 in Lee county Iowa. He was a son of Enoch and Louisa Edwards Bruton. At the age of 17 he entered the Union Army and served during the remainder of the Civil War. In 1866 he moved with his parents to Kansas. He was married to Lucy Ann Nelson in 1879. In the spring of 1884 he moved to Barry county and located at near Golden. To them were born thirteen children four of whom died in infancy. One son, Charles was killed in action in France during the World War, in Sep 1918. A daughter, Mary Ethridge died in 1919. his wife passed away in 1917.

He was converted in 1894 and late united with the church of God. He continued to live upon the old home place until 1928, since which time he has made his home among his children, except one year when he was at the old soldiers home at St. James.

Surviving of his children are: Louise Vandorien of Baxter Springs, Kan.; Joe of Dephew, Okla.; Rebecca Fulton of Enucha, Okla.; Minnie Brown of Glendale Arizona; Walter Bruton of Washburn; and Frank and Fred of Golden community, where he was when he passed away. With the exception of Mrs. Fulton, all the children were with him when he passed away. He also leaves 35 grand-children, and 19 great grand-children.

Mr. Bruton was a good citizen and held in high esteem by a large number of friends and acquaintances.

Cassville Republican Apr 28, 1939