Biography of Napoleon LaBrash (1834-1931 )
Uncited newspaper. From the collection of Mrs. Hattie Turnbull.

COUNTY'S OLDEST MAN DEAD

Napolean LaBRASH Indian Scout and War Veteran Dies at 96

Napoleon LaBRASH, Civil War Veteran and one of the oldest citizens in this section of the state died Wednesday afternoon of last week at the home of his son, Carson LaBRASH, in South Elsberry, following a general decline of health, which finally left him helpless for several months. Death seemed imminent for a number of weeks. Funeral Services were condcted at the home Friday afternoon, Rev. L.D.GREGORY, pastor of Elsberry Baptist Church, officiating and interment was made in Corinth Cemetery, northwest of Foley. The venerable man is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Anna SANDERS, of Moscow Mills, and Mrs. Addie MONTGOMERY, of Alton, ILL.; and three sons, Carson, of Elsberry, Milton of near Winfield and Roy, of Des Moines, Iowa. Four sons and one daughter preceeded their father in death. Born in Waukegan, ILL. September 7, 1834, dying February 4, 1931, Mr. LaBRASH had reached the ripe old age of 96 years, 4 months and 27 days. He was married March 21, 1867, to Miss Rebecca SANDERS and they established their home in Montgomery County, near Danville, Mo. His wife died April 5, 1889, after which time he made his home with his children, with the exception of short periods when he stayed in first one and then another of the homes provided for aged soldiers.

When he was six years old his mother died and soon thereafter his father, Napoleon LaBRASH, for whom he was named, moved from Waukegan, ILL., to Minneapolis, Minn., making the trip by ox-drawn wagon, and the ensuing years held for the youth many hardships and privations usual in frontier sections. Until recent months Napoleon LaBRASH had never been ill a day in his life, although he had been afflicted with palsy for a quarter of a century, but his ailment caused him no physical pain, and until recent months he was able to be on down town streets at frequent intervals. (there is some missing and it must be interesting. missing---------- j.g.)

in protecting property of the U.S. government. A second call was soon issued and before young LaBRASH had terminated his ninety days service, the President called 300,000 men, for a term of three years. LaBRASH promptly re-enlisted, becoming a member of Company D, Second Minnesota Volunteers. Hs initial training was received at Fort Snelling and in the fall of 1861 he was sent with his comrades to Kentucky, and his first real battle of the war was at Mill Springs, January 19, 1862. He participated in many other struggles between the North and the South, including the siege of Nashville, the battle of Shiloh, Chicamauga, The Wilderness and the storming and subsequent capture of Lookout Mountain. He was advanced from rank of a private to sergeant and after serving three years was given his choice of continuing in the infantry, or being transfered to the engineers corp. He chose the latter and remained in that branch of the service for approximately six months after conclusion of the war. Thus he actually spent four years and eight months in service of his country, beside having previously endured many hardships and privations in defense of the village of St. Paul ( Mn. j.g.) against the ravages of indians.

Mr. LaBRASH came into personal contact with practically all outstanding generals of the union armies during his period of service and vividly recalled each important battle in which he had participated, the year, month and day on which it occurred.

(do not know if that is all there was. Looks like there may have been more. No name or date of paper. His granddaughter, Hattie L. (Brown) Turnbull, passed away in 1987. - j.g.)

(I took this to be a piece from the Troy Free Press - j.g.)

A marker or monument for NAPOLAN LaBRASH has arrived at Foley, compliments of American Legion No. 410. Phil Schuchman commander of the Legion delivered same to Mr. LaBRASH'S grand daughter, Mrs. Hattie TURNBULL'S home and will set same at the grave at Corinth Cemetery in time for Decoration Day. Mr. LaBRASH was one of the fist to volunteer for Civil War service, was in Co. D 2 Minn. Volunteers where Fort Sumpter was fired upon. He was in the front lines. He was born Sept. 7, 1834 at Waukigan, ILL, served over 4 years with the War and died at the ripe old age of 97 years.

( --Died 1931 I copied this by hand no date. - j.g.)

(discrepency in age in the 2 articles - j.g.)

File submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by June Groshong, 10 Jun 2004.  Link change or update: 20 Jun 2004

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