Granville Madison Brassfield was born on August 6, 1844 in Jackson township, Spring Hill, Missouri, where he resided with his parents, Riley and Rachel Brassfield until he grew to manhood.
He obtained a good education, graduating at Boston University, Brooklyn, New York. He returned to Missouri and engaged in teaching for a number of years and was elected superintendent of school of Livingston County, Missouri.
At the call of his country, he enlisted in the Third Missouri Cavalry, Company H, as a private, in September 26, 1861. He was transferred to the Thirteenth Missouri Cavalry with the rank of Lieutenant. He was mustered out on May 18, 1866, having given four years and eight months of the best of his life to the services of his country.
Captain Brassfield took part in the most of the hard fought battles of the war, and was wounded five times. His wounds were a gun shot wound in the left side in front of Petersburg; shot through the right lung in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia; gun shot wound in the right hip at Wilson Creek, Missouri; saber cut over the right
eye, extending to the nose at Lovejoy Junction, Georgia; gun shot wound in the right leg (one bullet still in the leg); wound received on Nashville and Chaatanooga railroad.
At eighteen he became a member of the Zion Baptist Church.
On June 8, 1867 in Spring Hill, Missouri he was married to Sarah Dowell who preceded him in death on March 31, 1893.
To this union was born eleven children, Mrs. Ella Burnham, Pueblo, Colorado, Mrs. Mary Schuth, Manganola, Colorado, Virgil Brassfield, Kansas City, Missouri, Mrs. Eva Hibbard, Baxter Springs, Kansas, Homer Brassfield,Topeka, Kansas, Mrs. Alice Siple Sugar City, Colorado, Blaine Brassfield, Denver, Colorado, John D. Brassfield, of Denver, Colorado.
On November 21, 1895 he was married to Alice Sophia McDonald and three children were born to this union, Mrs. Clyta Waxler, Frankfort, Kansas, George Brassfield, of Sedalia, Missouri and Miss Elizabeth Brassfield, Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Brassfield was a member of a family of ten children, one brother and four sisters survive him.
Captain Brassfield was held in the highest esteem by his comrades and was a valiant soldier, a loyal comrade in the Grand Army where he held several places of distinction and was elected to the place of Department
Commander.
Mr. Brassfield was taken sick in Topeka and was brought to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Waxler in Frankfort, Kansas Then in hope of a change he was taken to Sedalia, Missouri, where he answered the last roll call.
Mr. Brassfield’s remains were brought to Frankfort. Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church where the G.A.R. held graveside services. An old family friend, Reverend Cole, officiated.
