Hartley - Civil War Soldier GPS Coordinates: 0.000000 by 0.000000

This monument was destroyed during a tornado on June 16, 1944. The church steeple from the Methodist Church fell on the monument. Howard Borchard of Hartley was helpful in sending the first postcard and historical information. It was of white bronze and 28 feet in height. The cost was $2600. On the dedication day on June 4, 1891 it was reported "A fine military band from Hull led the procession. Old soldiers, Sons of Veterans, and Womens' Relief Corps, with banners, badge and flags called forth both enthusiasm and patriotism." Names of all members of the Hartley GAR Post were inscribed on the monument including the names of companies and regiments. Later, a copy of the postcard showing the church was received from Danny Krock and the street scene was received from David Shedlock. More recently we received a copy of the Hartley Sentinel of 6/16/1944 from Jeanenne Cullop with information about the tornado and destruction of the monument. The monument was moved sometime after 1931 from the street (probably the first two photos) to the church. Thanks to everyone for these photos and historical information.

Sanborn - Civil War Memorial and Freedom Rock GPS Coordinates: 43.185633 by -95.655166

This is a 22 foot granite shaft with an eagle on top. It is a very nice memorial with other veterans monuments, including a Freedom Rock, nearby. It was dedicated July 6, 1912. The names of 72 CW Veterans are inscribed on three sides of the monument. The Freedom Rock has a painting of Daniel "Grandpa" Pippinger (1840 -1937) who served the Indiana Heavy Artillery Battery and the 21st Indiana Infantry Regiment. The Freedom Rocks are painted by Ray "Bubba" Sorensen. These Memorials are located in a city park off Highway 18. The first photo was taken 4/23/08 - the final two on 9/23/21.

Sutherland - Civil War Monument GPS Coordinates: 42.966333 by -95.485383

This is an attractive 24 foot obelisk that was erected in 1920. Soldiers' names are listed on 3 sides of the monument. See below the inscription on the west side of the monument and the list of soldiers on the south side. Also see the monument to James P. Martin, the last Veteran to die in Iowa, which is located only a few feet away to the southeast.. These monuments are in Waterman Cemetery SE of town on Highway 10. They are in the center of the cemetery. Photos taken 9/23/21.

Sutherland - Last Living Soldier in Iowa - James P. Martin GPS Coordinates: 42.966250 by -95.485300

Pvt. James P. Martin (1847-1949) was a member of Battery H, 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. After the war, he farmed near Sutherland, Iowa. He was the last Veteran to die in Iowa, almost reaching his 102nd birthday. He was active in the GAR, attending many national encampments and being appointed the last state department commander in 1947. It was said that photos of him and other old Veterans were in Life Magazine. This monument was erected in his honor - it originaly was in the town of Sutherland but was moved to Waterman Cemetery SE of Sutherland. It is near the CW monument in the center of the cemetery. He is not buried at the monument but elsewhere in the SE area of the cemetery. Thanks to Ed Johannsen of Sutherland for information and showing me the location of the monument and tombstone. The first photo was taken 10/14/11. The old photo shows the monument when located in town - it appears the inscriptions were painted to better highlight them.
The SUVCW has a project to mark the location of the gravesite of the last soldiers in each county of the state. James Martin was, of course, also the last soldier of O'Brien County and a ceremony was held on June 18, 2022 in his honor as the Last Soldier plaque was placed. A crowd of about 75 attended - many of these were descendants or relatives. The SUVCW's Kinsman Camp Guards and Sutherland American Legion Post participated. Photos from this event are shown below. Also, I was given a wonderful photo from Judy Jackson showing the color guard at J. P. Martin's funeral in 1949. The person on the left is unknown, 2nd from left is Rex Martin, grandson of J. P. Martin, 3rd from left is Irvin Struve, and 4th from left is Burdette Selk, father of Judy. The final photo is of James P. Martin.