TWENTY-FIRST REUNION

OF THE

16th Regiment, O. V. I.,

G. A. R. HALL, WOOSTER, Ohio, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1896.

The veterans of the 16th Regiment, O. V. I., met in G. A. R. Hall last Wednesday morning, August 12th, at 9:30 o'clock to hold their 21st annual session of the Regimental Association. The members were called to order by Capt. A. S. McClure, president.

The report of Secretary Enos Pierson was read and approved. Treasurer Harry McClarran then made his report as follows:

The following committee on resolutions was appointed: B. F. Clark, J. B. Ross, R. N. Gorsuch. A committee to recommend a place for holding the 22d annual reunion, consisting of the following comrades, was then appointed: Geo. H. Playford, B. F. (Wilson?), A. Branstetter, E. L. Casebeer, Fred Clodfelter, J. A. Richards, Harry McClarran, J. H. Morrison, Wm. McKee.

The secretary requested the comrades to notify him of the death of any of our members that may come to their knowledge, giving the name, date and place of death, so that he can make the proper record of same. Also notify him of any change of post-office of members of our association, in order that all may receive due notice of our annual meetings.

As the years roll by these reunions are becoming more and more interesting and enjoyable; the tie of comradeship which was forged in camp and on the march and welded in the fire of battle is growing stronger and stronger as we journey along the downward slope of life. Therefore let us make every effort in our power to attend these annual gatherings.

The committee on next reunion, having returned, reported as follows: Your committee appointed to select a place for holding the 22d annual reunion would recommend Zanesville as the place for holding said meeting. Geo. H. Playford, the chairman of the committee, spoke at some length in favor of Zanesville, setting forth the many advantages that city possessed over other towns. On motion the report of the committee was unanimously adopted.

Election of officers being next in order, the following comrades were placed in domination (sic) and on motion the rules were suspended and they were elected by acclamation: President, Geo. H. Playford, Zanesville, O.; 1st vice president, J. H. Morrison, Akron, O., 2d vice president, G. W. Cooper, Cooperdale, O.; 3d vice president, Thos. T. Dill, Mansfield, O.; secretary, Enos Pierson, Wooster, O., treasurer, Harry McClarran, Wooster, O.

The following comrades were then elected as a committee of general arrangements: Chas. Roney, Thos. Ulrich, of Dresden, O.; Fred Rushey, James Hannum, Wm. Day, of Zanesville, O.; A. Branstetter, D. C. Curry, W. H. Woodland, of Wooster, O.; James Jobe, Canton, O.; B. F. Clark, Akron, O.; Samuel Daugherty, Ashland, O.

The following members of the regiment were reported as having died since our last reunion:

Frank Feeman, Co. K, died at Paint Valley, O., November 7, 1895, caused by accidental pistol shot.

Rudy Paul, Co. I, died at Smithville, O., December 21, 1895.

Henry Piper, Co. I, died at New Pittsburg, O., January 11, 1896.

A. H. Seitzer, Co. G, died at Homesville, O., January 16, 1896.

Rev. Cyrus Smith, Co. K, died at Woodbine, Ia., January 26, 1896.

M. J. Chapman, Co. E, died at Dresden, Kas., February, 20, 1896.

The above list was referred to the committee on resolutions.

The business of the association having been completed, the president declared the meeting adjourned until 2 o'clock P. M.

The afternoon session of the association was well attended. Among those present were a few who have not attended for many years and while the greeting that each veteran gave to his comrades was hearty, those who had not been seen in many years were especially warm. That the day is not far distant when these annual gatherings will be a matter of history grows upon one as he gazes upon the whitened hair, the furrowed brows, and notices the faltering steps of the old boys in blue.

The hall was well filled when the association was called to order at 2 o'clock. Comrade Rev. I. N. Kieffer invoked the divine blessing. Hon. A. S. McClure, of Wooster, made the welcome address, doing so in his own inimitable way. The response was made by T. D. Wolbach, of Wadsworth, and was appropriate and very feelingly expressed. Impromptu remarks, interspersed with stories and incidents of camp and field, were made by Comrades Alex. Rodgers, of Chicago; Dr. J. C. Kilgore, of Monmouth, Ill.; Geo. H. Playford, of Zanesville, O.; Capt. H. T. Fisher, of Cleveland; D. C. Curry and Rev. I. N. Kieffer, of Wooster.

Additional business was then transacted as follows:

J. Morrison, of Akron, on behalf of Capt. Geo. Billows, of Akron, presented the association with two huge bouquets of gladioli. On motion a vote of thanks was tendered to Capt. Billows for his beautiful gift. The committee on resolutions then made the following report:

Comrades of the 16th Regiment, O. V. I.: Your committee on resolutions wishes to congratulate you that in the providence of our Heavenly Father so many of you, accompanied by your loved ones, have been permitted to meet in these glad reunions for the twenty-first time. We feel especially happy when we meet here at Wooster, our first home. It was here we first went into the service our our country, in making our initial preparations for the defense of our starry flag. Many hallowed associations come to our memories as we meet in this, our old home, and we wish here and now to thank the good citizens of Wooster and our comrades who yet reside here for their kind and ever continued remebrance (sic) of the boys of the 16th. To you our hearts go out in gratitude for all these pleasures and favors and especially for the royal reception at this time, on this your anniversary week. We thank you, one and all, and wish that during the next one hundred years you and yours may be even more successful and that your beautiful city may grow into one of 100,000.

During the year our association has lost by death seven comrades, as follows: Henry Piper, Co. C; Frank Feeman, Col K; Arch Switzer, Co. G; Zack Ogle, Co. D; Rudy Paul, Co. I; Rev. Cyrus Smith, Co. K; M. J. Chapman, Co. E. Of these, our departed comrades, we remember them as brave soldiers, always ready and willing to perform every duty in time of war in defending our dear old flag from dishonor.

We remember them in time of peace as companionable and pleasant comrades and greatly deplore their loss.

We hereby wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to all their loved ones who have been thus sadly bereaved and hope that at the sounding of the great reveille we all may meet in a final grand review.

Respectfully submitted,

B. F. CLARK,

R. N. GURSUCH,

J. B. ROSS,

Committee.

The following comrades of the 16th Regiment were present and registered:

(reunion attendance pages to be developed)

Honorary Members--Mrs. Harry McClarran, Mrs. A. Branstetter, Mrs. E. Pierson, Mrs. E. W. Botsford, Mrs. Wm. Shibley, Mrs. S. Metzler, Wooster; Mrs. J. C. Kilgore, Monmouth, Ill.; Mrs Alex. Rodgers, Chicago, Ill.; Mrs. F. B. Clark, Akron; Mrs. J. H. Hill, Canton; Mrs. J. H. Morrison, Akron; Mrs. E. W. Smith, Columbus; Mrs. Phil. Straits, Millersburg; Mrs. E. Lemon and daughter, Benton; Mrs. D. F. Yarnell, Shreve; Mrs. C. W. Oldroyd, Ottawa, Kan.

A reception was held in the evening and the program carried out as follows:

Reminisances by several of the comrades, after which the evening was spent in social and friendly greetings. During the evening the audience was served with lemonade by little Misses Mary McClarran and Mary Branstetter.

At 11 o'clock the reunion adjourned, to meet next year at Zanesville, O. ENOS PIERSON, Secretary.

BLAIRSTOWN, MO., August 9, 1896.

Mr. Enos Pierson, Secretary, Wooster, O.:--

DEAR COMRADE:--Your kind invitation to attend the coming reunion of the survivors of the 16th Regiment received in due time. It would afford me great pleasure to do so, but circumstances are such that I cannot. I have not attended a reunion of the regiment since leaving the state in 1866, but hope to do so some time. I would enjoy meeting the boys and live over old times for a few days, especially so at Wooster as that is the place where many pleasant acquaintances were formed. My kind regards to you and please remember me to tall the boys who may inquire for me. I am still at my old home near Blairstown where I would be glad to see any comrades who may be in this part of the state at any time. Yours in F. C. and L. DAVID ERWIN.

TOPEKA, KANSAS, July 29, 1896.

Enos Pierson, Wooster, Ohio:--

COMRADE:--Your card of July 1st was forwarded to me. It would be a great pleasure to me to meet with the 16th O. V. I., in the annual Reunion at Wooster, Ohio, August 12, 1896. I regret it very much that circumstances are such that I cannot attend. I will just say that I am one of the unfortunate ones that the present administration hit in the reduction of pensions. I hope you will have a pleasant time at the reunion at Wooster. Respectfully, T. J. EAGLE.

BLACKFOOT INDIAN AGENCY, July 20, 1896.

Enos Pierson, Secretary:--

Dear Comrade:--Your postal card of July 1st came duly to hand and it gives me much pleasure to know that my old comrades are still able to enjoy themselves by having these grand reunions. I wish I was able to be with you and participate in the festivities as I know you will have a most enjoyable time. I regret very much that I am not able to be present, being far away up here in the northwest, although I sincerely wish for the welfare of the 16th Regiment and my old domrades particularly, many of whom I would like to speak to personally and rehearse our many trips and camp life, of which very many things which I can never forget, both solemn and ridiculous, happened in our midst. Please accept these my regrets for not being present. Thanks for your kind invitation and give my regards to my old comrades and to yourself. I wish for their general welfare and my particular friends that they have a pleasant time and with my heart at this distance I join them. I remain, dear sir, yours truly,

COMRADE JOHN HUNSBERGER,

New Blackfoot Agency, Browning, Mont.

947 TRUMBULL AVE, DETROIT, MICH., August 10, 1896.

Enos Pierson, Esq., Wooster, Ohio:--

MY DEAR COMRADE:--I have mislaid your card inviting me to attend the reunion of our old regiment to be held at Wooster, O., on the 12th inst. If I recollect aright your card also referred to the centennial anniversary of the settlement of Wayne Co. It is really painful...

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