Following is the obituary of S.E. "Cap" Whitcher, just received from California. Mr. Whitcher, a former resident of this vicinity was father of William Whitcher of Manning.
"Soldier, rest - thy warfare o'er" may be said of Captain Selden E. Whitcher, who answered the last roll call Friday, June 27, 1941, just four weeks after his participation in Memorial Day exercises in Gonzales. The last of the Civil War veterans in Monterey County, California, this venerable soldier had passed his 91st milestone on September last. He was born in Holland, New York, in September 13, 1849, son of Chauncey and Eliza (Read) Whitcher.
He enlisted February 16, 1864, in the 14th U.S. Infantry, Company H, at Buffalo, New York, serving at first as drummer boy. He saw action at Five Forks, the Six-day Battle of the Wilderness and the Battle of the North Anne River, where he was wounded. He was sent in 1866, after the close of the Civil War, to Arizona to quell the Apache Indian uprising. Medals received in recognition of valiant service were much prized possessions.
Captain Whitcher was a most interesting conversationalist. He was well informed and possessed a marvelous memory, and thus was an authority on post Civil War conditions. He never missed Memorial Day services, nor did he ever fail to cast his ballot, and it was this balance between the past and present that kept him mentally alert. Physically he was a man of commanding appearance, and wore his uniform with magnificent dignity.
Gonzales was justly proud of this distinguished soldier and gentleman. He was a charter member of the Grand Army of the Republic post of Manning, Iowa, and for 11 years was captain, a title that he retained ever after. His passing marks the last member of the post. Fraternally he was a life member of the I.O.O.F. in Gray. Iowa.
Married in the spring of 1869, at Santa Cruz, the late Mrs. Whitcher nee Moon passed to her reward June 10, 1932. Of their children, Charles Whitcher, Mrs. Grace Haack, Mrs. Emma Baldridge, and John Whitcher have gone before. Surviving are Mae (Mrs. Paul) Newman, Botna; Flora (Mrs. Samuel R. Pugh), Gonzales; Mrs. Harry Klindt, San Fernando; Mrs. Florence Babcock, North Hollywood; William Whitcher, Manning, Iowa, and Reuben H. Whitcher of the Fairview district, with whom Captain Whitcher made his home.
(Representing the 17 grandchildren who survive there were present for the obsequies Mrs. Bud Larson and Judson Whitcher, and of the 23 great-grandchildren little Marvel Ann Larson and David Brian Whitcher, all of Rosco, California.
Funeral services were held Monday at 2 p.m. from the funeral home of Struve & Laporte, Salinas, with Rev. Preston Sowell of Gonzales officiating. "In the Garden" and "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" were sung by Mrs. James Jarvis with organ accompaniment by Milton Hartnell.
It was fitting that Captain Whitcher, a Civil War Veteran, should be accorded a military funeral, and at the Gonzales Cemetery last rites were in charge of Post No. 81, American Legion, of which the departed was an honorary member. Preceded by a military escort of 12 soldiers from Fort Ord, and attended by the honorary and active pallbearers, all of whom were Legionnaires, the funeral car bearing the flag-draped casket proceeded slowly to the family plot. Graveside rites were conducted by Paul Allen, post commander, assisted by Joseph Tavernetti, chaplain. The salute of the firing squad was followed by the sounding of Taps. The large gathering of friends and neighbors and the many beautiful flowers were evidences of the high esteem in which the late Captain Whitcher was held.