STEUBEN REPUBLICAN, SEPTEMBER 20, 1922, pg. 2, col. 5
NELSON J. LETTS
Nelson J. Letts was born in Huron county, Ohio, Feb. 2, 1843. At the
age of 13 he moved with his parents Edward and Cornelia* Letts, and three
brothers and one sister, to Steuben county, Indiana. Here he helped his father
clear a farm, and attended school until the winter of 1861-62. On July 17,
1862, he enlisted in Company H, 74th Ind. Infantry, and served until the close
of the war. On Sept. 1, 1864, he was wounded at the battle of Jonesboro, Georgia.
He returned home, until his wound healed, and then again joined his regiment
at Holly Springs, North Carolina. He was with his regiment when General Johnson
surrendered and marched with the army into Richmond and on into Washington.
He was honorably discharged June 9, 1865.
On Sept. 23, 1866, he was married to Cornelia Allen. To this union were
born two sons, Leland, who died on June 4, 1904, and George, who with his
mother survives. In 1876 he bought a farm which he cleared and upon which
he remained until 1916, when he moved to Angola on account of failing health.
He was a member of the B. J. Crosswait post, which he served as
commander until the time of his death. He was a faithful attendant and took
pleasure in doing whatever he could to serve his comrades.
He died on Sept. 16, 1922 at the age of 79 years, 7 months and 13 days.
He leaves to mourn his departure his widow, Cornelia Allen Letts one brother,
Millard Letts of Freemont, his son George and wife, and four grand children.
Nelson Letts was plain and unpretentious in his attitude toward his
fellows, strictly honest in all his dealings and a patriot who loved his
country and revered her ideals of citizenship with a passion whose fires
were kindled by the sacrifices of his service as a soldier. For him our country's
flag is the symbol of the highest and best ideals of civil government in
the world.
In his home he was a kind husband and an indulgent father and in the
community a good neighbor and a true friend.
Funeral services were conducted by his comrades of B. J. Crosswait
Post of the G. A. R., at his late home in Angola, Sunday afternoon, Sept.
17, at 3 o'clock. Miss Madoline Bailey, "Daughter of the Post," sang three
beautiful selections. The funeral sermon was by Elder J. O. Rose and the body
was laid to rest in Circle Hill cemetery.
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Card of Thanks
We desire to extend our sincere thanks to the friends who so kindly assisted
us at the time of the death of our father, Nelson Letts.
Cornelia A. Letts
George Letts and family.
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*This would have been a typographical error; Nelson's mother's name was
Caroline.
Sarah Atherton
Amarillo, TX
ShrewishWench@aol.com