The Edmonson County News
October 27, 1938

Jessie I. Houchin Last Local Survivor Of Civil War, Dies

Participated in Many Important Battles During Three Years Service in The Union
Army

Early Sunday morning October 23 death claimed Jessie I. Houchin, the last
of many Edmonson County citizens who saw service in the War Between the States
in 1861-65. Uncle Jessie wore the Blue, serving with distinction in many
important engagements. He was nearing his 94th birthday.
Funeral and burial services were conducted at Otter Gap Church Monday
morning by Rev. Gordon Campbell, a World War Veteran and Charles E. Whittle
representing the American Legion, delivered a brief eulogy on the life and
career of one whom he had known and loved.
Mr. Whittle's talk follows in part: "At the bier of Uncle Jess we come to
the close of a chapter in the history of our county. Never again shall we pay
tribute to a living hero here who preserved us a nation through the holacaust of
the 1860's. He was the last survivor among us of the veterans of the Civil
War."
"It is difficult for us to visualize conditions which prevailed in
Edmonson County and all over Kentucky in August, 1862. Russellville fell into
the hands of the Confederacy. In a battle at John Demumbrun's store in The
Forks several were killed and scores were wounded or taken prisoners. All over
Kentucky there was fierce fighting. The Governor of the State resigned his
office in the face of such dire conditions."
"Uncle Jess was just seventeen, but he was the grandson of John Houchin,
who sealed on the gory fields of the Revolution what Jefferson had penned on
paper at Independence Hall on July 4, 1776."
"Thus it was that this strip of a last enlisted. And for three long
years, -- at Whipporwill Bridge, at Murphreesboro, at Stone River—at the point
of the bayonet, he preserved us a nation."
"He was worthy of his sires, and an example for posterity."
"Nothing we may say or do here today can add to the blissful reward which
this old Christian hero enjoys; but if from the folds of "Old Glory" with which
a grateful nation here drapes his funeral couch we can catch a gleam of the
blood-brought freedom, for which he and his departed comrades paid the
price,--if we gird ourselves for the continued preservation of our personal
liberties, and rededicate our lives to the scared service of our county, it is
well for us that we have come to pay this last tribute to this grand old
soldier. He shall not have lived in vain.

OBITUARY

Jesse I. Houchin, last survivor in Edmonson County, of those who "wore the
blue," in the 60's, was born near Brownsville, November 3, 1844, son of Jesse
and Mary P. Davis Houchin. Died at his home near Otter Gap, October 23, 1938,
just ten days before his 94th birthday.
At the age of 17 he enlisted at Russellville in the Union Army August 9th,
1862, fought with gallantry at Stone River, Murphreesboro and Whipporwill
Bridge, and was honorably discharged at Frankfort, August 2, 1865.
He was married to Melvina Laney and had one daughter, Russie Vincent, both
of whom are dead.
In 1870 he married Mary A. Gipson and they lived happily together for 57
years, until she passed away April 6, 1937.
They reared a family of 7 daughters and 5 sons all of whom grew to
womanhood and manhood and saw their grandchildren and great grandchildren
numerous.
He was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, lived among men in peace
and harmony, was a good neighbor, loved little children and was fond of music
and the out-of-doors.
Four sons, Arthur, Bert, Willie an Estill, and five daughters, Flora
Denahm, Annie Parsley, Nellie Johnson, Clara Dennison and Rosa Meredith,
together with a host of other near relatives and close friends are left to mourn
a loss so great. [Submitted by Charles Finn]

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