In the death of Samuel M. Bond the community of Milton has lost an honored citizen and a friend of both young and old; the sisters an affectionate brother; friends and relatives a genial, cheerful companion; and the 'boys' of the Grand Army of the Republic a staunch loyal comrade in arms and in peace. He was of a retiring disposition and always avoided taking places of prominence which he might have held with dignity and ability had he consented to serve.
Sunday evening, September 12, he was stricken with a paralytic stroke from which he never rallied. He passed away Thursday afternoon, September 16.
Mr. Bond served his country in active service for more than four years in the great war of the rebellion. He enlisted at Milton, Wisconsin, April 17, 1861 and was mustered into service at Madison, Wisconsin, April 24, 1861. On his entrance into service he was made corporal of Company H, Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, The 'Iron Brigade.' In succession he became first sergeant, second lieutenant, first lieutenant and upon his return from the war he was brevetted captain by Governor Fairchild of Wisconsin.
At the first battle of Bull Run, he received a gunshot wound in his left arm which necessitated removal to the hospital. After sixty days furlough he rejoined his regiment. He was again wounded while in action at Gainesville, Virginia, and again at Gettysburg, Virginia. After the latter engagement he was removed to the hospital at Wilmington, Delaware, and after six weeks he ran away and rejoined his regiment at Rappahannock.
His first engagement was at the first fight at Bull Run and he was in all the subsequent battles in which his regiment participated excepting the battle of Chancellorsville. His regiment has the distinction of being in forty or more skirmishes and battles and of losing more men in action in proportion to its numbers than any other regiment in the union armies.
In all his service Captain Bond was always found at his post of duty. He achieved a gallant record for meritorious service and soldierly conduct at all times. He had command of the 3rd Division 5th Corps, at Jeffersonville, Indiana, July 17, 1865.
For years Mr. Bond was conductor of the lines of the Union Pacific railroad and was on its pension list at the time of his death. He was a member of the order of the loyal legion, Nebraska Commandry. He was a member of the A. D. Hamilton Post 60, Department of Wisconsin Grand Army of the Republic. He had filled minor offices in this order but had refused the post of Commander. For the past two years he was Junior Vice Commander.
Mr. Bond was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, November 1, 1830. His parents were Jonathan and Mary French Bond. In 1847 the family removed to Wisconsin. To his parents were born the large family of eleven children, only two of whom remain, Mrs. Jennie Morton and Mrs. James Dennett, both of Milton.
Mr. Bond was united in marriage in the year 1884, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Miss Catherine Jackson. On March 25, 1896 great sorrow came to Mr. Bond in the decease of his wife. Just before her death both she and her husband became members of the Congregational church at Omaha, Nebraska, in whose communion they continued until their deaths.
For about fifteen years Mr. Bond made his home with his sister, Mrs. Morton in Milton where each furnished that delightful companionship that lonely hearts are fond of.
Memorial services were held at his late residence in Milton on the afternoon of September 18, conducted by Rev. Henry N. Jordan. A male quartet, Leslie Bennett, Allison L. Burdick, George Thorngate, and Alfred E. Whitford sang 'One Sweetly Solemn Thought' and 'Abide With Me.' The committal services at the grave in Milton cemetery were conducted by the members of the Grand Army Post of which he was a member.
