Person:Edgar Waldron (1)

Information on Edgar Waldron was found in St. Johns, MI at the courthouse. Listed under Clinton County deaths, book 2, page 220 and was recorded on Oct. 4, 1929

Joined Army at 14 dies at 81/ Obituary

Edgar A. Waldron, last Civil War Veteran at Maple Rapids, surcumbs.

Edgar A. Waldron, 81, last surviving Maple Rapids Civil War Veteran, died at his home in that village Friday, August 9, 1929. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. A.J. Morris at the Maple Rapids Methodist church, and burial was made in the Sowle cemetery. Edgar Waldron served in the Civil War, Union side, Co. F, 67th Ohio regt.

Mr. Waldron was born in Sherben, New York, Nov. 26, 1848, and when a young boy moved with his parents to Ohio. Here at the age of 14, he joined the Union Army as a private in the First Brigade, 67th Ohio Infantry and served until the close of the war. He was color bearer for the brigade in several major battles.

In 1872 Mr. Waldron married Mary Grimwood and to this union 10 children were born, 3 dying in infancy. His oldest son passed away when a young man and his oldest daughter died in 1928. The five surviving children are, Mrs. George Hiner of Lebanon, Mrs. Roy Rob of Lansing, Edgar Waldron of Maple Rapids, Mrs. Milo Greenhoe of Sheridan, and Mrs. Evan Braman of Maple Rapids.

The last 50 years of his life have been spent in Michigan. He came here with his family, finding a wooded land and clearing a plot created a pioneer home. Twenty two years ago he and his family came to Maple Rapids and since has resided in this vicinity. In 1922 Mr. and Mrs. Waldron celebrated their 50th wedding Anniversary. Happilythey had spent those 50 years with an outlook for many more, but the family was broken by the death of the wife and mother in 1925. Bereft of his life companion his days were saddened but hischildren have helped to make his declining years as happy as possible. A few weeks ago he was taken ill and although the best of care was given,, the end came Friday evening and another life passed on. He leaves to mourn their loss, besides the children, a brother, Oliver of Vickeryville,a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and Friends. He will be missed as a kind, loving father and thoughtful friend and neigbbor.

TOLD BY AUNT KITTIE BOYD Edgar Waldron was from a large family, he was more or less the black sheep, and his father made him do most ofthework on the farm where they lived. When the Civil War broke out his older brothers enlisted. He asked his father if hge could go to see them off, but his father told him he couldn't because he had much work to do on the farm. His mother finally talked his father into letting him go, by telling him that it might be the last time he would see his brother alive. Edgar Waldron was 14 or 15 at the time. When he went down to see his brother off he lied about his age and joined himself. When his father found out about it he was angry and Edgar told his father that he might as well go and let them shoot him down, as to kill himself on the woodpile at home. He later regreted saying that and prayed that he would make it home alright so that he could tell his father he was sorry.

Edgar Waldron was said to have two brothers who were mininters, one of them is supposed to have died while preaching a sermon in a church in Stanton, Michigan. Aunt Kitty said they were Methodist.

Edgar A. Waldron married Mary Grimwood, believed to have been married in Ohio. They had 5 girls and 4 boys, three of dying young. Twin boys who died within a few months of each other, and an older boy who died while working on the railroad.