Clermont - Civil War Statues at Montauk - GPS Coordinates: 43.008233 by -91.648750

The grounds at Montauk have impressive statues of (shown in order below) Admiral David Farragut, General Grenville Dodge, General Ulysses S. Grant, and General William T. Sherman. These statues were designed by George E. Bissell. Bissell served in the Civil War in the 23rd Connecticut Infantry and also designed the Lincoln statue in Clermont and the Henderson statues in Clermont and Fayette. Montauk was the former home of Governor William Larrabee and is now operated by the State Historical Society of Iowa. The statues were originally shown at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, then moved to Montauk. It is on a hill NE of Clermont - follow signs from Highway 18. The Dodge photo was taken 3/25/08 -the others 6/3/21.

Clermont - Lincoln Statue - GPS Coordinates: 43.003250 by -91.652583

This is a striking statue of Abraham Lincoln, standing 7 feet, 6 inches, with four bas relief sculptures of Civil War scenes. The sculptor was George Bissell. The monument was a gift of Gov. Larrabee at a cost over $5000. The monument was completed in 1902 and dedicated in 1903. It is in a small park on Highway 18 just east of the business district in historic Clermont. The panels are, on the east, "Leaving for War"; on the north, a scene from Shiloh; on the south, a scene from Mobile Bay with Admiral Farragut; and on the west, a scene from Appomattox. The first two had images of local soldiers. Thanks to Jeanenne Cullop for sending a copy of the 12/3/1902 Hartley Herald with historic information about this monument. Photos taken 3/25/08.

Dunham Grove - Civil War Soldier at Dunham Grove Cemetery - GPS Coordinates: 42.876250 by -91.845166

This is an impressive monument in a country cemetery near Fayette. There is an inscription "To our Nation's Defenders." On Highway 150 between West Union and Fayette, turn west on 175th Street - continue to a T-intersection and turn south on M Avenue. Dunham Grove Cemetery is at the NW corner of M Avenue and 170th Street. Thanks to Court Stahr for information about the monument and the first photo taken 10/3/08. The second photo was taken 6/3/21.

Elgin - Civil War Monument - GPS Coordinates: 42.958866 by -91.640233

This is an unusual monument with "Victory" laying a wreath on a kneeling Civil War soldier. The woman, soldier and flag are of bronze and rest on a 9 foot granite base. The inscription reads "Erected 1917 in Memory of our Nation's Defenders." Elgin Cemetery has many huge pine trees and is located in the north part of Elgin. Take Railroad Street north from Main Street to the Cemetery. The first photo was taken 6/3/21 - the second 3/25/08.

Fayette - Civil War Soldier - GPS Coordinates: 42.832350 by -91.801783

This attractive monument was dedicated in 1914. It is in Grandview Cemetery south of town. Take Highway 150 south - then drive east on Klock Road to the cemetery. Photos taken 6/3/21.

Fayette and Clermont - Colonel David Henderson - Statue GPS Coordinates: 42.840250 by -91.800700

Colonel Henderson's statue is both at the David Henderson Library at Upper Iowa University in Fayette and at the old Episcopal Church in Clermont. Henderson was a Lieutenant in the Iowa 12th Infantry Regiment where he was wounded at Ft. Donelson and Corinth. The wound at Corinth required amputation of his foot. Later, he was appointed, at the age of 24, Colonel of the Iowa 46th, a 100 day regiment formed in 1864. He was elected a Representative from Iowa and served as Speaker of the House. The statue in Fayette is at Upper Iowa University at Madison and Washington Streets. The GPS setting is at this location. The 7 foot bronze statue, using the same mold, is also in Clermont on Highway 18 east of the business district. The inscription on the base is also shown below. The statue was designed by George Bissell. Col. Henderson is buried in Linwood Cemetery in Dubuque - see the listing in Dubuque County for his memorial there. Photos taken 6/3/21.

Illyria - Civil War Soldier - GPS Coordinates: 42.897966 by -91.635666

This very nice monument is in Illyria Cemetery with a bronze soldier on a red granite base. It is just west of the community of Illyria (not an incorporated town). It is on Highway 56 in the east part of Fayette County. Thanks to Court Stahr for information about this monument. The first photo taken 9/18/10 - the second photo 6/3/21.

Maynard - Civil War Soldier - GPS Coordinates: 42.770750 by -91.876966

This 20 foot granite monument is in good condition in Long Grove Cemetery. It was dedicated in 1916. The cemetery is on the SE side of town - take 1st Street to the cemetery. Also, Medal of Honor Recipient Andrew Goldsbery of the 127th Illinois is buried here. Photos taken 6/3/21.

Oelwein - Civil War Soldier - GPS Coordinates: 42.673433 by -91.916433

This is an 15 foot monument in Oakdale Cemetery. It was originally dedicated in 1902 to Civil War and Spanish-American War Veterans. It was rededicated in 2003 and included a new flag pole, flag and 24 hour light to illuminate the flag. The inscription and plaque shown below are hard to read in the photos. The inscription is "Erected by Griffith Relief Corps No 28 In Memory of the Soldiers of the War 1861-1865 and of the Spanish-American War 1898 Rededicated July 16, 1902." The plaque refers to the rededication August 16, 2003 by the American Legion, DAV and Oelwein Area Historical Society. The Cemetery is located in an industrial/railroad area just SW of downtown. Take 4th Street west to the cemetery. The photos were taken 6/3/21.

Taylorsville - Civil War Soldier - GPS Coordinates: 42.770283 by -91.646500

This very nice monument is at the Taylorsville Cemetery. It is 22 feet tall and was erected in1915. Thanks to Court Stahr for information about the monument. It is a country cemetery located at C Avenue and 150th Street NE of Arlington. Photo taken 9/18/10.

Wadena - Civil War Monument - GPS Coordinates: 42.840550 by -91.656666

This is a bronze soldier in Wadena. It had been vandalized and the soldier was removed for repair. Thank you to David Christen for his restoration effort. The photos were taken 6/4/21, The monument is in the city park just north of the business district.

Westgate - Civil War Soldier - GPS Coordinates: 42.777200 by -92.042733

This nice monument has a bronze soldier on a granite base. The inscription reads "In Memory of our Nation's Defenders." It is in the Green Wood Cemetery near Westgate. The Murphy Church is adjacent to the cemetery. Take County Road W33 (also 100th Street) west of Westgate to W Avenue - then turn north to the cemetery. Thank you to Mike Magee for notification of this monument. The first photo was taken 9/19/10 - the second 6/3/21.

West Union - The Skirmisher - GPS Coordinates: 42.961133 by -91.815566

This is the Skirmisher model believed to be the only one in Iowa. The original dedication was in 1914 and a rededication took place June 1, 2008 after repairs were made by SUVCW members. The second photo is from an old undated postcard provided by Danny Krock. Also shown are a cannonball stack and the inscription from the front of the monument. There are bronze plaques on the north and south sides of the monument listing soldiers from the region. West Union Cemetery is in the west central part of town off Highway 150. Take the main entrance to the monument. Thanks to Court Stahr for providing the first photo.

Fayette - Fayette County Freedom Rock - GPS Coordinates: 42.844670 by -91.804230

This Freedom Rock, by artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen, recognizes soldiers from Fayette County and Upper Iowa University. The north side of the Rock shows David Henderson and William Larrabee - the south side honors Henry Grannis and Dr. Charles Coleman Parker. Dr. Parker was the Regimental Surgeon for the 12th Iowa Infantry Regiment which was in the Hornets Nest at Shiloh. Henderson and Grannis were both in Company C of the 12th Iowa. Grannis was a color bearer who served bravely in many battles in the war. Henderson is the best known, having his foot amputated after the battle in Corinth. He later served as Speaker of the House of Representatives. See other listings about him under Dubuque County and Fayette County. Larrabee lost his sight in one eye as a child and did not serve in the war but was Iowa Governor from 1886-1890 and was a strong supporter of Veterans.

The Freedom Rock is at 305 W. Water Street in Fayette. Thanks to Jo Porter for information about the monument. Photos taken 6/3/21.