The Indianapolis star
Sunday June 24, 1928
INDIANA'S LAST SURVIVOR OF MEXICAN WAR DIES AT 99
Samuel Leffler, Who Hiked 270 Miles to City of Mexico
And Fought Under Gen. Grant Succumbs in St. Paul Home
St. Paul, Ind. June 23
Samuel Leffler, 99 years old, last Indiana survivor of the Mexican War, died at his home here last night.
Mr. Leffler was born in Butler County, Ohio, June 14, 1829. He moved to Decatur county, Indiana with his parents in 1841. The family settled in what is now known as Germantown, a mile from here. He lived there for more than eighty years. He had been closely associated with the business and social life of the community during that time.
FOUGHT WITH GUERRILLAS
He gave up his apprenticeship as that of a barn builder to offer his services to his country. He was immediately sent to Vera Cruz as a member of Company B, 5th Indiana infantry regiment. Mr. Leffler's outfit found the city of Vera Cruz occupied by the Americans upon arrival there. A hike of 270 miles to the City of Mexico was made. On the march to the Mexican capital only a few bands of guerrillas were encountered and were quickly dispersed under fire. The organization was returned to the "States" and discharged at Madison, Indiana, on July 18, 1848.
Mr. Leffler returned to his home and again took up his vocation of barn building which he followed until October 18, 1862, when he again gave up his work to enter the civil war. This time he went as a substitute, receiving $300. His term of service was to have been a year, but he was not discharged until fourteen months from the date of his acceptance. He was a member of Co. A, 54th Indiana infantry.
SERVED UNDER GRANT
The unit of which Mr. Leffler was a member was stationed at Young's Point opposite Vicksburg, Mississippi under the command of Gen. U.S. Grant. It took part in the siege and surrender of Vicksburg. His regiment also took part in the campaign in western Louisiana and was under the command of G. W. Morgan's division of the 13th army corps when it took 22,000 prisoners at Arkansas Post.
Mr. Leffler was married twice. He was the father of fourteen children. Although having gone blind a little more than a year ago, Mr. Leffler had lived alone in the house that has been his home for many years.
The surviving children are James Allen Leffler of St. Paul, Mrs. Alice Myers of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Eliza Reed, Mrs. Nora Price of Shelbyville, Mrs. Myrtle Price and Mrs. Ollie Sink of St. Paul and Ira Leffler of Washington, Indiana.
LIFELONG DEMOCRAT
Mr. Leffler was a lifelong Democrat, casting his first vote for Franklin Pierce for President. He was a member of the United Brethren church and until recent years when his sight became weakened, was a constant reader of the Bible.
Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the Union Chapel. Mr. Leffler was made a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on January 17, 1925 for his service in Mexico.
Sunday June 24, 1928
INDIANA'S LAST SURVIVOR OF MEXICAN WAR DIES AT 99
Samuel Leffler, Who Hiked 270 Miles to City of Mexico
And Fought Under Gen. Grant Succumbs in St. Paul Home
St. Paul, Ind. June 23
Samuel Leffler, 99 years old, last Indiana survivor of the Mexican War, died at his home here last night.
Mr. Leffler was born in Butler County, Ohio, June 14, 1829. He moved to Decatur county, Indiana with his parents in 1841. The family settled in what is now known as Germantown, a mile from here. He lived there for more than eighty years. He had been closely associated with the business and social life of the community during that time.
FOUGHT WITH GUERRILLAS
He gave up his apprenticeship as that of a barn builder to offer his services to his country. He was immediately sent to Vera Cruz as a member of Company B, 5th Indiana infantry regiment. Mr. Leffler's outfit found the city of Vera Cruz occupied by the Americans upon arrival there. A hike of 270 miles to the City of Mexico was made. On the march to the Mexican capital only a few bands of guerrillas were encountered and were quickly dispersed under fire. The organization was returned to the "States" and discharged at Madison, Indiana, on July 18, 1848.
Mr. Leffler returned to his home and again took up his vocation of barn building which he followed until October 18, 1862, when he again gave up his work to enter the civil war. This time he went as a substitute, receiving $300. His term of service was to have been a year, but he was not discharged until fourteen months from the date of his acceptance. He was a member of Co. A, 54th Indiana infantry.
SERVED UNDER GRANT
The unit of which Mr. Leffler was a member was stationed at Young's Point opposite Vicksburg, Mississippi under the command of Gen. U.S. Grant. It took part in the siege and surrender of Vicksburg. His regiment also took part in the campaign in western Louisiana and was under the command of G. W. Morgan's division of the 13th army corps when it took 22,000 prisoners at Arkansas Post.
Mr. Leffler was married twice. He was the father of fourteen children. Although having gone blind a little more than a year ago, Mr. Leffler had lived alone in the house that has been his home for many years.
The surviving children are James Allen Leffler of St. Paul, Mrs. Alice Myers of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Eliza Reed, Mrs. Nora Price of Shelbyville, Mrs. Myrtle Price and Mrs. Ollie Sink of St. Paul and Ira Leffler of Washington, Indiana.
LIFELONG DEMOCRAT
Mr. Leffler was a lifelong Democrat, casting his first vote for Franklin Pierce for President. He was a member of the United Brethren church and until recent years when his sight became weakened, was a constant reader of the Bible.
Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the Union Chapel. Mr. Leffler was made a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on January 17, 1925 for his service in Mexico.
The Indianapolis star
Sunday June 24, 1928
INDIANA'S LAST SURVIVOR OF MEXICAN WAR DIES AT 99
Samuel Leffler, Who Hiked 270 Miles to City of Mexico
And Fought Under Gen. Grant Succumbs in St. Paul Home
St. Paul, Ind. June 23
Samuel Leffler, 99 years old, last Indiana survivor of the Mexican War, died at his home here last night.
Mr. Leffler was born in Butler County, Ohio, June 14, 1829. He moved to Decatur county, Indiana with his parents in 1841. The family settled in what is now known as Germantown, a mile from here. He lived there for more than eighty years. He had been closely associated with the business and social life of the community during that time.
FOUGHT WITH GUERRILLAS
He gave up his apprenticeship as that of a barn builder to offer his services to his country. He was immediately sent to Vera Cruz as a member of Company B, 5th Indiana infantry regiment. Mr. Leffler's outfit found the city of Vera Cruz occupied by the Americans upon arrival there. A hike of 270 miles to the City of Mexico was made. On the march to the Mexican capital only a few bands of guerrillas were encountered and were quickly dispersed under fire. The organization was returned to the "States" and discharged at Madison, Indiana, on July 18, 1848.
Mr. Leffler returned to his home and again took up his vocation of barn building which he followed until October 18, 1862, when he again gave up his work to enter the civil war. This time he went as a substitute, receiving $300. His term of service was to have been a year, but he was not discharged until fourteen months from the date of his acceptance. He was a member of Co. A, 54th Indiana infantry.
SERVED UNDER GRANT
The unit of which Mr. Leffler was a member was stationed at Young's Point opposite Vicksburg, Mississippi under the command of Gen. U.S. Grant. It took part in the siege and surrender of Vicksburg. His regiment also took part in the campaign in western Louisiana and was under the command of G. W. Morgan's division of the 13th army corps when it took 22,000 prisoners at Arkansas Post.
Mr. Leffler was married twice. He was the father of fourteen children. Although having gone blind a little more than a year ago, Mr. Leffler had lived alone in the house that has been his home for many years.
The surviving children are James Allen Leffler of St. Paul, Mrs. Alice Myers of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Eliza Reed, Mrs. Nora Price of Shelbyville, Mrs. Myrtle Price and Mrs. Ollie Sink of St. Paul and Ira Leffler of Washington, Indiana.
LIFELONG DEMOCRAT
Mr. Leffler was a lifelong Democrat, casting his first vote for Franklin Pierce for President. He was a member of the United Brethren church and until recent years when his sight became weakened, was a constant reader of the Bible.
Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the Union Chapel. Mr. Leffler was made a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on January 17, 1925 for his service in Mexico.
Sunday June 24, 1928
INDIANA'S LAST SURVIVOR OF MEXICAN WAR DIES AT 99
Samuel Leffler, Who Hiked 270 Miles to City of Mexico
And Fought Under Gen. Grant Succumbs in St. Paul Home
St. Paul, Ind. June 23
Samuel Leffler, 99 years old, last Indiana survivor of the Mexican War, died at his home here last night.
Mr. Leffler was born in Butler County, Ohio, June 14, 1829. He moved to Decatur county, Indiana with his parents in 1841. The family settled in what is now known as Germantown, a mile from here. He lived there for more than eighty years. He had been closely associated with the business and social life of the community during that time.
FOUGHT WITH GUERRILLAS
He gave up his apprenticeship as that of a barn builder to offer his services to his country. He was immediately sent to Vera Cruz as a member of Company B, 5th Indiana infantry regiment. Mr. Leffler's outfit found the city of Vera Cruz occupied by the Americans upon arrival there. A hike of 270 miles to the City of Mexico was made. On the march to the Mexican capital only a few bands of guerrillas were encountered and were quickly dispersed under fire. The organization was returned to the "States" and discharged at Madison, Indiana, on July 18, 1848.
Mr. Leffler returned to his home and again took up his vocation of barn building which he followed until October 18, 1862, when he again gave up his work to enter the civil war. This time he went as a substitute, receiving $300. His term of service was to have been a year, but he was not discharged until fourteen months from the date of his acceptance. He was a member of Co. A, 54th Indiana infantry.
SERVED UNDER GRANT
The unit of which Mr. Leffler was a member was stationed at Young's Point opposite Vicksburg, Mississippi under the command of Gen. U.S. Grant. It took part in the siege and surrender of Vicksburg. His regiment also took part in the campaign in western Louisiana and was under the command of G. W. Morgan's division of the 13th army corps when it took 22,000 prisoners at Arkansas Post.
Mr. Leffler was married twice. He was the father of fourteen children. Although having gone blind a little more than a year ago, Mr. Leffler had lived alone in the house that has been his home for many years.
The surviving children are James Allen Leffler of St. Paul, Mrs. Alice Myers of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Eliza Reed, Mrs. Nora Price of Shelbyville, Mrs. Myrtle Price and Mrs. Ollie Sink of St. Paul and Ira Leffler of Washington, Indiana.
LIFELONG DEMOCRAT
Mr. Leffler was a lifelong Democrat, casting his first vote for Franklin Pierce for President. He was a member of the United Brethren church and until recent years when his sight became weakened, was a constant reader of the Bible.
Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the Union Chapel. Mr. Leffler was made a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on January 17, 1925 for his service in Mexico.
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