LOCKRIDGE, ALexander - CW - Putnam

Funeral services of Alexander H. Lockridge were held at the residence west of the city at 2:30 o’clock Friday afternoon Rev. Levi Marshall pastor of the Christian church conducted the services Interment was made in Forest Hill cemetery. Members of the Greencastle post of the G. A R., of which Mr. Lockridge was a member, were taken to the funeral in automobiles. The ritualistic service of the G. A. R was given at the grave. The pall bearers were: Frampton Rockhill, George W. Wood. John A. Keller, James Vanlangdingham, Spencer Hunter, John R Miller, Thomas Thompson and Frank A. Hays. All are members of the Greencastle post of the G. A. R.  Alexander Howard Lockridge was the descendant of a race of pioneers. While this country was still a colony of Great Britain his ancestors crossed from Scotland into Virginia and from those later generations followed the trails of Boone and other adventurous spirits into the new Iand is of Kentucky from whence still later generations made another exodus to the north of the Ohio rearing their humble homes in the then sparsely settled districts of Putnam County, Indiana, in 1830 and 1835. Here on a farm within a short half mile of where he lived and died, Alexander was born June 10th, 1848, the son of Andrew M. and Elizabeth S. Lockridge. Two brothers, Simpson F and Albert 0. survive him and one Robert A died in infancy.  He received his education in the common schools of Greencastle and Indiana Asbury University. When the guns of Fort Sumpter spoke in the opening days of the civil war the subject of this sketch had not reached his 13th birthday but in line with his heroic ancestors who had been represented in all the American wars and inheriting their martial spirit he bewailed his lack of years and longed to follow the flag. So constant and persistent were his pleadings that parental objection was finally overcome and he was permitted to enlist in Company F 133rd Indiana Vols. Infantry when he was still two months short of 16 years of age, with his regiment he was sent to the Dept, of General Sherman and during the spring and summer and early fall of the Atlanta campaign served on the Tennessee and in the neighborhood of Chattanooga, guarding the railroads and bridges and supply depots so necessary to the success of army movements. He was a faithful soldier and his services were rendered in the joyous spirit and optomistic view of things that was so characteristic of his later years. He always referred to his army experiences as the hap. piest of his life—and it was at this time that his love for his country took such deep and lasting root. His patriotism was intense, and with his lovef or the flag was associated his deep and undying love for the comrades of the war with whom he had faced the dangers and privations and vicissitudes of the march and the bivouac. His last thoughts were of them and to his son. Will he left the request that those dear comrades should officiate in the final ceremonies that they should be bearers of the pall, that their loving hands should lower him to the couch of his eternal sleep On the 23rd of January 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Laura Pickwell of Sangemon County Illinois. Two sons were born of this marriage, Andrew M. and William P who with their mother survive him. The passing of Alexander Lockridge is at a time we can ill spare such active forces from the industrial field. He was a producer and gave his whole soul to the work. Such was his untiring energy that neither the stability of markets could depress his inclemency of the weather or the inspirits or lesson his daily round of duties The old saying the world ow. es me a living was not in his lexicon of life but he labored in and out of season to earn for himself and others. His philosophy of life was known of all men. He hated sham and deceit in every shape and form and his condemnation of such was swift and in language that was unmistakeable. He was a strong partisan, but never offensively so. If he could give strong blows he was ever ready to receive them and his friends were numbered among the members of all parties. He persistently declined office for himself but labored valiantly for the promotion of others. He was a good loser in the political fray. If his party went down to defeat he did not lose heart and become despondent but jollied his opponents with the cry we’ll be with you again in the tides of the next election.  He was a lover of nature. He once said to his wife that he hoped his final sumnmons would come in one of the cold and gloomy months not in the bloom of summer when the fields were aglow with hillowing grain, when the cattle were at pasture on the hills and the air was a quiver with the song of bird life. But it could not be. The end of the trail stops just when the country is in full fruition of its beauty and promise. And we would rather have it so, and full it is a more fitting close to a weary trail that his hardy scion of a hardy clan should drop the implements of toil and lie down to rest in the shades of the sweet summer time. He loved all things that are good and beautiful and true. He was generous in his contributions to deserving causes, to the needy, the afflicted and the poor. Fittingly it may be said of him as was said by another over his brother’s bier if every one to whom this man had extended the hand of friendship should cast a single bud upon his grave “he would sleep tonight be. neath a wilderness of bowers..”