Gifford - Haviland - CW
Source: Crawfordsville Sunday Star April 8, 1901 p 1
Col. Haviland Gifford died on Wednesday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Gould on Morgan Street, after an illness of less than a week. Haviland Gifford went into the army of the union as an adjutant and for conspicuous gallantry he came out the colonel of the 69th NY Regiment, a hero. He was born in Easton NY February 24th, 1820 and died on April 3d, 1901. On January 13th, 1841 he was married to Parmelia White, who died on February 3rd 1843. On January 27th, 1848 he was married to Mrs. Mary Jane Becker. To them were born four daughters, F. Permelia and Anna Minta, twins who died and Blanche and Belle who now mourn the loss of father and mother. Since the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Gould in this city he has made his home with her. He was a kindly, a noble old man; so warm and affectionate in heart and manner that he seemed to have found the elixir of endless youthfulness. He was a lovely man in all things that make a man loved by his friends, his family and his neighbors. He was a prominent member of McPherson Post GAR. He was a devoted patriot, a splendid citizen, a man of strong convictions, but of gentle speech and kindly ways. On Friday morning the funeral service of the GAR was read at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gould and then the body of Colonel Gifford was taken on the early Vandalia train for burial at the old home in Climax, Michigan.
Col. Haviland Gifford was born in Easton, Washington County, NY, on the 24th day of February 1820 and died April 3rd, 1901, aged 81 years 1 month and 29 days. On Jan 13, 1841 he was married to Parmelia White, who died Feb 3, 1843. On January 27, 1848, he married Mrs. Jane Maria Becker to whom was born four daughters: F. Parmelia and Anna Minta, twins, Blanche and Belle who survive him. A number of grandchildren, also survive one of whom, Lt. Parker, is now in the Philippine War. Col. Gifford enlisted in the volunteer army as adjutant, and was afterward promoted to colonel of the 69th NY regiment and served with distinction to the close of the war. He was a prominent member of the local GAR and had served as post commander of McPherson Post No 7. As a soldier Col. Gifford knew only duty. Devotion to the flag and the cause it represented was his religion. As a citizen he was true of every trust. As a neighbor, kind and considerate. As a comrade none were better loved nor more highly esteemed. How much he will be missed! The pronounced manly traits of character, his open frank manner endeared him to every member of the post and all feel that they have indeed lost a true friend. To his immediate relatives we have this consolation to offer: although your loved one is sleeping the last long sleep, yet his deeds live in the hearts of his countrymen, for he has written in blood upon the pages of his country’ shistory which you may proudly read. To his comrades late in arms: although our comrade will be missed from his accustomed place, yet we have a hope that his name will be found upon Heaven’s roster and that although he has crept into the silent shadows of death, we have an abiding faith that to him the sunset of this life was the sunrise of glory.
