G. S. VAN DEUSEN DIED LAST THURSDAY

ANOTHER VETERAN OF THE CIVIL WAR PASSES IN FINAL REVIEW

(picture) (veteran)

Gerrett Simion Van Deusen, father of the editor of The Pilot, passed away at 10 o’clock last Thursday evening, April 3rd, 1924, at the ripe old age of 81 years past. He had been growing more feeble for several weeks, being unable to help himself about the house. In fact he became so helpless and suffered so much he was anxious for the end to come, fearing death no more than if he were going to another country from whose bourn travelers do return at will.

And who could wish him back here in the frail bark he had left after the long journey of eighty-one years? He had no pleasure in life and such a condition was easily exchanged for rest in death, the sleep that knows no awakening. But the spirit, forever young, is now released from its prison house and is free to go where it wills, or where God wills, we know not which.

The face that was racked with pain and suffering while the torch of life was burning low was changed to a peace in death that almost laughed at pain and smiled at the prospects of the bright beyond. Death was the victor, but it brought no sting; it was the happy release from suffering for which there was no human help possible.

The flowers were beautiful and the kindness they represented never meant so much to us before. The donors have the sincere thanks of the family, and when grief touches your lives, if it has not done so already, you will have a keener sense of the appreciation these love tokens inspire. It was more than kind of you to send the flowers and for all the other acts of kindness, the family wish to thank you sincerely.

We wish to especially thank Mr. Jones for his kindly services and all the members of the G.A.R. who attended and took part in the service. Also Miss Vanola Brunton and Miss Cora Stricklett who sang by special request made several years ago. The closing song was the national hymn, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty,” which had been so often on his lips.

Even the weatherman is to be thanked, for it was raining up to noon on the day of the funeral, then it cleared off and was unusually bright and beautiful during the hour of the service. The service was all so satisfactory to the family, the services of Haggard & Bendorf, the undertakers included, we shall always feel most grateful to all who helped to make it so.

(typed as printed in the newspaper.)

# 2 - - Enterprise, April 10, 1924

PIONEER FATHER PASSES

Gerrett S. Van Deusen departed this life at his home in this city, Thursday evening, April 3, following a long illness, at the age of eighty-one years. The deceased was born in Canajoharie, New York, Feb. 21, 1843, and was one of a family of twelve children.

He served as surgeon's steward on the battleships Sachem and Uncas in the United States Navy during the Civil War.

Following the war, he went to Marietta, Ohio, where he was engaged in business and where he married, Dec. 12, 1868.

The family came west in 1873 directly to Washington county, Nebraska, where his brother, D. W. had previously located. He bought railroad land near Kennard and made his home there until 1901 when he and his wife moved to Blair.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his aged wife, who is seriously ill with heart trouble; one brother, D. W. of Kennard; and five children, Claude, who lives on the home place; Don C. of Blair; H. Gil of Kennard; Mrs. Henry Kasbohm of Dunbar, Nebr.; and Mrs. Don J. Gammel of Tekamah. There is also one step son, John Chamberlain of Norfolk, who knew no other father but the deceased, his own father dying before he was born.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 and under the auspices of the G. A. R. of which he was a member. Interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

He was born at Canajoharie, New York, February 21st, 1843, so was just past 81 years of age. His passing leaves but one, DeWitt Van Deusen, of Kennard, as the sole survivor of a family of twelve children, seven boys and five girls.

He grew to manhood's estate there and when the Civil War came on, he enlisted as steward for his brother, Dr. George H. Van Deusen, who was major surgeon on board the U. S. warship Sachem. He was on board the vessel when it was a part of the escort for the famous Monitor, that "Yankee Cheese box" that steamed down the Patomac river and engaged the Merrimac, the first armored vessel ever produced and thought to be invincible.

The little Monitor was too agile for the unwieldly Merrimac and after giving up the unequal fight the Merrimac took one last shot at the Sachem, which was standing by, hitting her and injuring the eyes of the captain, but hurting none of the crew. The Sachem was a part of the blockading fleet in southern waters. Later he was transferred to the Uncas and when the cruise was completed he was mustered out.

He was in business in Broklyn, N.Y., for a time, later in New Jersey, and then sought his fortunes in the newly discovered oil fields in Ohio, where he became part owner of a good producing well on what was known as Cow Run. While there he met and married Hannah Green at Marietta, December 12th, 1868.

In 1873 they came west with two children, C. C. and the writer, settling on a farm on the Papio, five miles southwest of Blair, where he lived until 1901, when he moved to Blair, making this his home ever since. Nine children were born to them, four of whom have rested in tiny graves in the Blair cemetery for many years.

Those surviving are Claud C. of Kennard; Don C. of Blair; H. G. of Kennard; Lena, Mrs. Henry Kasbohm of Dunbar, Neb.; and Grace, Mrs. Don J. Gammel of Tekamah, all of whom with their families were present for the funeral service. Also a step-son, J. A. Chamberlain of Norfolk, who with his wife, a sister of T. H. Wright of this city, and their son, John, Jr., and his wife came down for the funeral service.

D.W. Van Deusen and two sons, Charles of Omaha, Chief of Detectives down there; Frank of Kennard; and daughters, Lilly, Mrs. Jack Cunningham and husband; and Miss Bessie of Kennard, were also present at the funeral service.

The pallbearers were Magnus Johnson, Frank Schafer, Chas. C. Reeh, Norman Wilkins, C. H. Robertson, and John McDonald, old neighbors on the farm and in town.

(typed as printed in the newspaper. Some variations in spelling and facts occur.)