Obituary: Luman Walker LeMasters Jr. (1842-1931)

Source: The Commercial Review, Portland, Indiana, Wednesday, November 18, 1931, page 1

CIVIL WAR VET DIES WEDNESDAY

L.W. LeMaster, of Salamonia Succumbs to Infirmities of Age.

L.W. LeMaster, 89, died at his home west of Salamonia, Wednesday morning at 7:40 o'clock, following a week's illness from infirmities of age.

The deceased was the son of L.W. and Nancy (Young) LeMaster and was born in Shelby county, Ohio, October 9, 1842, being aged at the time of death, 89 years and 29 days. He was united in marriage to Mary Chew, October 6, 1864, who preceeded [sic] him in death, February 22, 1927.

He is survived by the following children: Beulah, wife of L.L. Rockwell of Ft. Recovery, Ohio; L.C. LeMaster, of near Salamonia; Mrs. Elsie Atkinson, at home; Dr. O.O. LeMaster of Sidney, Ohio; Edith, wife of Henry Meinholtz of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Maude, wife of Dr. S.W. Phillips of David City, Neb.; Dr. V.W. LeMaster of Sidney, Ohio. One daughter, Bertha, wife of John Yeager, and two sons, Phillip Burbin and W.C. LeMaster, preceded him in death. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Mary Jane Loofborrow of Ord, Neb., and one brother, John W. LeMaster of St. Paul, Neb. Thirty-five grandchildren and forty-six great-grandchildren survive.

He was a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted with Company C 39th Indiana Infantry, Company C 8th Cavalry, July 21, 1861 and was discharged March 4, 1864. He fought in 21 battles. He was injured once at Dechards Tenn. There are only three others in that company living, William Force of Portland, Peter Stultz of north of Portland, and Joe Miller.

Military funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the M.E. church of Salamonia in charge of Rev. Lewis Fifer. Burial will be made in the Salamonia cemetery.

Comment: Of note is the fact that the name is spelled LEMASTER rather than LEMASTERS, as it is in many records, including his tombstone! Company C of the 39th Indiana Infantry was converted to a mounted infantry unit and reclassified as the 8th Indiana Cavalry. The young son who died was Phillip Durbin, not Burbin. Luman was my paternal 2nd-great grandfather.