McPherson Post 33 - joined September 14, 1885
Final term of membership 1905
The death of Henry C. Peters marks the passing of a splendid Christian soldier from the church militant to the church triumphant; and it would be impossible to find words in which to express the splendid service he rendered to his God and country.
He was born February 29, 1840, at Flat Rock, Michigan.
When the clouds of Civil War burst he enlisted on the 15th of June, 1861, in Company B, 47th Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for a period of three years; but on February 20, 1864, he re-enlisted for an additional three years, and was discharged on July 13, 1865, while holding the grade of Sergeant.
During these terrible years of civil strife, he distinguished himself, and the government awarded him a medal of honor.
We cannot describe his bravery better than by quoting from
the 'Medal of Honor Certificate' which accompanied his medal, "That a
Medal of Honor was awarded to him for most conspicuous gallantry in action at
Vicksburg, Miss., May 3, 1863, when he was one of a party that volunteered and
attempted to run the enemy's batteries with a steam tug and two barges loaded with subsistence stores."
He was captured during the war and held for four months in that next to Andersonville war horror, Libby Prison at Richmond.
All honor to the sacred memory of such a patriot.
On November 6, 1867, he married Miss Agnes L. Gorham at Monmouth, Illinois.
He and his bride journeyed to Flat Rock, Michigan and settled down to farming. In 1879 they came west with their family to Carroll Co., and three years later they moved to Manning; so for the past forty-one years they have been familiar figures in this town.
There were nine children born to this union and all are with us save two - one died in infancy, and Mrs. Livingston, who died last fall.
The deceased was a faithful member of the Christian Church, and when the call came for higher service on March 19th, 1923, he went out bravely and triumphantly with an unshaken faith in Jesus, the Captain of his salvation.
He leaves to mourn, his wife and seven children: Mrs. Fred Reidel, Wyandotte, Michigan; Mrs. Cora Sherman Lake City, Iowa; Mrs. George Reidel, Trenton, Michigan; Mrs. Joseph Hollenbeck, Audubon, Iowa; Mr. Charles Peters, Aurora, Illinois; Mrs. Ward Billick, Manning, Iowa, and Mrs. Joseph Campbell, Los Angeles, California. Also twenty-one grand-children and eleven great-grandchildren. Also one brother, George Peters, Howell, Michigan.
Funeral services, conducted by Dr. O.D. Ellett and the Rev. H. Coates, were held at the home, March 22nd. The remains of the late H.C. Peters, accompanied by the son, C.H. Peters, of Aurora, Illinois, and a daughter, Mrs. Cora Sherman of Lake City Iowa, was taken to Detroit, Mich., and met there by relatives and taken to the Home of a daughter, Mrs. Fred Reidel and on Saturday afternoon, March 24th after a short service at the old home church the body was tenderly laid to rest in the old family cemetery where father, mother, brothers, sisters and an infant son are peacefully sleeping.
CARD OF THANKS
We take this means of thanking all that helped us in caring for our beloved
husband and father during his illness this winter and his death. To the two old
soldiers, Mr. Donald W. Sutherland and Mr. Cornelius Dunnick who stuck by him
till the last; to the Legion boys who responded so readily with their service,
to the Relief Corps for their kindness, their gifts of fruits and flowers to
the Rev. Coates and Rev. Ellett and the singers for
their beautiful words of comfort and music at the funeral we extend to you all
our heartfelt thanks and your kindness will be remembered by all of its.
Mrs. Agnes Peters and Children.