JAMES CORKWELL

    James Corkwell, age 84 years, of 215 South Dakota street, died in this city early yesterday morning Mr. Corkwell was born in Burlington, Iowa. He has been a resident of Butte for 40 years, where he has been engaged in placer mining. He was a veteran of the civil war, having served throughout the rebellion as a private in the Iowa cavalry. A host of friends among the G. A. R. Veterans, of which organization he was a member, mourn his passing. He is survived by his son, J. F. Corkwell, of this city. The remains are at the Sherman & Reed funeral home.  

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
11/25/1922

    James Corkwell, veteran of the Civil War, 84 years of age, and for 40 years a resident of Butte, died yesterday at his home, 215 South Dakota street. An active member of Lincoln Post, Grand Army, he was one of the few survivors of the post. Mr. Corkwell was born in Burlington, Iowa. He was a carpenter and had also been engaged in placer mining at various times. In the civil war he made an enviable record. He enlisted in September, 1861, and throughout the war served as a private in Company C, First Iowa cavalry.  He was honorably discharged in September, 1865. He had a host of friends among the old-timers of Butte. He is survived by is son, J. F. Corkwell of Butte. The remains are at the Sherman & Reed chapel and funeral arrangements will be announced later.  

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
11/25/1922

FINAL HONORS FOR 
               CIVIL WAR VETERAN

   James Corkwell, a Civil War veteran and member of Lincoln post Grand Army of the Republic, was buried yesterday morning with full military honors by the Grand Army, Spanish-American War veterans and the American Legion. Funeral services were conducted at the Sherman & Reed funeral home at 8:30 by the Ladies of the Grand Army, according to the rituals of the soldier organization.  Mrs. Bailor rendered sacred selections. The funeral then proceeded to St. Patrick’s church, where requiem high mass was celebrated at 9:30 by Father Meehan.

   William O. Gilbert of the Legion was in charge of the firing squad composed of Seth Wharton, W. P. Lane, R. B. Hall, James Martin of the Spanish-American War veterans.  T. W. Williams was color bearer and Nelson Moore was chaplain. Frank Benoit and Homer Smith were also in attendance with the Commander H. H. Makinson. The pall bearers were Gus Flint, Dan Holland, Dean Hutchinson, Dave Jenkinson and Tim O’Connor. Grand Army services were conducted at the grave. Interment was in the soldiers’ plot in Mount Moriah cemetery.

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
11/28/1922

IN MEMORY OF BUTTE PIONEER

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HAVE AN 
IMPRESSIVE SERVICE FOR LATE COL. CURTIS.

 MANY ARE PRESENT TO PAY MARK OF RESPECT

Able Oration by J. J. McHatton and Address by 
M. B. Burke—Representatives From the 
Anaconda Branch Are in Attendance.

    In memory of the late Col. John H. Curtis, appropriate memorial services were held last night by the members of Butte Council No. 668, Knights of Columbus.  Many members of the order gathered to pay a tribute of respect to the memory of Col. Curtis and the services were beautiful and impressive.  To each one present was given a card edged in black on which the words: “Butte Council, No. 668, Knights of Columbus. In Memoriam. John H. Curtis, Sr., Sunday evening, August 19, 1906.”  On the reverse side of the card was the program.  

The Services

    The program began with a piano selection by E. J. Cashin, after which the quartet of the Anaconda branch of the order sang, “Abide With Me.” Roll call was then had and after the reading of resolutions of condolence.

   Frank Martz, of the Anaconda council, sang a beautiful solo, which was followed by an address by Grand Knight M. B. Burke. Mr. Burke’s address was appropriate to the occasion and was attentively listened to.

   “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” was sung by the Anaconda Council quartet, after which a splendid oration, eulogizing Col. Curtis, was delivered by Judge J. J. McHatton.  Another selection “Lead Kindly Light,” by the Anaconda quartet; questions and answers, conducted by the Chaplin, Rev. Father Sullivan, and prayers concluded the services.  

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
8/20/1906

   John H. Curtis died in Butte at 12:32 o’clock this morning in his sixty-eighth year.  The end was long foretold, for this pioneer of Montana had been sinking steadily the past two weeks and no hope of recovery was held out. He was a sufferer of Bright’s disease, which had confined him to his home at 334 South Washington street since early in March of this year.  The last hours of Colonel Curtis were peaceful. Besides his physicians, there attended at his bedside his wife and two sons, John H. Curtis, Jr., and George D. Curtis.  His little daughter Ione was called in at the last.  

Well Known and Respected

   Few men were better known in Butte than Colonel Curtis.  Even the children were familiar with the sturdy little figure.  An upright and most successful business man, he was respected by all, even his enemies, whom everyone who prospers and accumulates wealth must expect to have.

   Colonel Curtis was an officer in the confederate army, yet took a keen interest in the doings of the Grand Army of the Republic, and it may be said none of their number was a more patriotic follower of the flag of the great republic. Mr. Curtis was one of the most active workers in the organization of the Butte real estate board and his counsel and advice were eagerly sought upon all occasions and cordially given.

   He was ever a stanch supporter of the cause of his people and occupied trusted positions in the local branches of the Robert Emmet Literary association and the Knights of Columbus. He was a trustee of the latter organization. He was further a present director of the State Savings Bank of Butte and one of the largest holders of local real estate, a man worth close to a million dollars.

His Life

   John H. Curtis was born in the village of Tyrone, Ireland, October 26, 1838.  He came to America with his parents when 10 years of age and settled in St. Louis.  At the age of 16 years he was compelled to make his own living and secured a place in a store at $8 per month, attending night school in order to secure an education. In 1860 he began the study of law, but after studying the required length of time and taking an examination was denied admission to the bar because of his refusal to take the iron-clad oath of allegiance, his sympathies being with the South. He joined the Missouri cadets and was captured at Camp Jackson, May 10, 1861, and paroled under oath not to take up arms against the United States government.

   He got the Montana fever in 1866, and landed at Fort Benton in May of that year. He went from there to Helena and secured employment in a grocery house. In the fall of 1868 he went into business for himself, and was very successful.  In 1878 Mr. Curtis retired from business in Helena, and with his family visited Mexico. On his return to Montana in 1880 he settled in Butte, where he engaged in real estate and insurance business with Green Majors.  He was admitted to the bar in 1882. He was married in 1873, while on a visit to his old home in Missouri, to Miss Mattie Trant of Fulton. His wife and three children, George D., John H., Jr., and Ione, survive him.  

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
7/8/1906

MARRIED

DECKER—FAUBEL—In Butte, October 11^th 1880, by Rev. father DeRyckere, Mr. George L Decker to Mrs. Martha Faubel, both of Butte.

Helena Weekly Herald
Helena, Montana
10/21/1880

GEORGE DECKER’S ACTIVE LIFE ENDS

Fifty Years Resident of Montana 
and Veteran of Confederacy

   George L. Decker, pioneer of the West, Indian fighter, and veteran of the confederacy, a resident of Montana for 50 years and of Butte nearly as long, is dead.  The end came at his home, 1831 Florida avenue, after a long illness, largely due to the infirmaties of old age.  Mr. Decker was 86 years old.

   Born at Hudson, N.Y. in 1833, Mr. Decker’s early life cast his lot with the emigrants to the great west.  At the age of 19 he found himself in the Mormon territory near Salt Lake.

Meadow Massacre

   He was one of the survivors of the Mountain Meadow massacre, and is credited with being the man who brought to civilization the news of the slaughter.  For days he was chased by the so-called “Avenging Angels,” but managed to elude his pursuers.

   Arriving in the South previous to outbreak of the civil war, he with another youngster accepted a commission to transport slaves to Brazil.  On his return he found himself in confederate territory at the outbreak of the civil war.

   Impressed into service with the confederate army, he fought against the North until he was wounded at the battle of Bull Run.  At the conclusion of the war he again struck out for the West, visiting various parts of the country.

Montana Pioneer

   More than 50 years ago he came to Montana and had lived here ever since.  About 45 of those years were spent in Butte.  Forty years ago he was married to Mrs. Fauble, who survives him.

   Until overtaken by illness that resulted in his death, Mr. Decker enjoyed excellent health. Despite is years he was physically robust and carried himself like a soldier.  He was reticent to talk about his exploits and adventures, although he fought by the side of thousands, of men who helped break the trail into the wilderness.

   The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 from the family home.  Services will be conducted by Rev. E. J. Harper of the Lowell avenue Methodist Church South.

   Surviving, besides the widow, are three sons, R. H., J. W. and E. G. Decker, and three daughters, Mrs. O. T. McCullough, Mrs. C. H. Tippet and Mrs. J. W. Wheeler.

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
1/24/1920

    Without warning death came to E. M. Demick at the family home in the rear of 542 South Main street at 6 o’clock last night. He had been out to get a pail of water; there was some slight exertion necessary to perform the task and this proved enough to snap the slender thread of life. He had strength only to stagger blindly to a lounge a few feet away in the kitchen, and there died.  Heart disease was the cause.

   Mr. Demick was 61 years of age and by a small circle of friends was highly esteemed and had always been an indulgent and loving father.  For a number of years he complained of pain in his left side. The vital organ was known to be weak and because of this ailment Dr. W. L. Renick had often been called upon to attend him.  The disease was organic, however, and death might have come at an time. Dr. Renick was summoned last evening as soon as Mr. Demick sank on what proved to be his deathbed, but life was entirely extinct when he arrived. Coroner Egan was on the scene soon after the physician. Together these two made a careful investigation with the result that Coroner Egan decided that no inquest was necessary.

   The dead man is survived by a son, E. R. Demick, and a daughter, Mrs. Porter, residing in Butte; another son, V. H. Demick, in Spokane; another J. L. Demick, in Sheridan, and a daughter, Irene Demick, in Salt Lake. Arrangements for the funeral will be made later.  

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
1/31/1906

 John Devlin, of Massachusetts 28^th, 
Answers Taps at Local Hospital

   John Devlin, aged 70, a veteran member of the G. A. R., who served in the Twenty-eighth regiment of the Massachusetts troops, answered taps sounded at a local hospital last night by the angel of death. Mr. Devlin, a native of Ireland, had suffered by many months and his death resulted from the protracted illness.  He resided in the mining city for the past 35 years. He is survived by a sister and nephew, Mrs. Mary E. and Joseph Reilly, of Portland.

   Mr. Devlin was a part owner of the Minnie Healy mine.  The remains are at the Walsh undertaking establishment. No funeral arrangements will be made until relatives have been heard from.

The Butte Miner
Butte, Montana
4/7/1917

*Note: Headstone indicates birth year as 1829. Death certificate indicates birth year as 1845.  Newspaper article says he was 70, while death certificate says 72 and cemetery records and headstone say he was 88.  A Petition for Naturalization filed in Boston, Massachusetts on March 20,1883 found for a John Devlin born in Ireland states his age at 35. No further information found to indicate this information is for the same James Devlin, the G. A. R. member who passed away in  Butte on April 6, 1917.

1. Jennie De Jon Diment  -  1849 - 1915
2. Elizabeth Belle Stephenson Cody Dimnent

   George Dimnent, who is the youngest member of Lincoln post, was born Dec. 20, 1847.  He enlisted at the age of 16 in the Fourth Wisconsin cavalry, as a member of Company E, but on the consolidation of the regiment into eight companies, became a member of Company L, of which Gov. George Peck of Wisconsin, author of “Peck’s Bad Boy,” was second lieutenant.

   Mr. Dimnent’s company was used for skirmish and scouting work. He participated in engagements at Shofeli and Morganzi on the Mississippi and at the taking of Fort Blakely, Fort Mobile and Spanish Fort.

   The regiment was ordered out in pursuit of Jefferson Davis, following the fall of Richmond, but before it had reached Vicksburg the capture of the president of the Confederacy was announced and the regiment was ordered to Texas for patrol duty along the Rio Grande.

   Mr. Dimnent’s discharge, dated June 20, 1866, shows that the Fourth Wisconsin had an original strength of 1,017. It recruited 882 additional men. It lost by death 830 men and when the regiment was mustered out there were left of the 1,899 who had enlisted only 753 men.

   The Fourth Wisconsin regiment served for a time under Benjamn F. Butler during the occupancy of New Orleans. Its heaviest casualties were due to the amount of skirmishing and scouting imposed on the cavalrymen.  

The Anaconda Standard
Anaconda, Montana
5/29/1927

GEORGE DIMNENT
G.A.R. VETERAN, DIES AT AGE 82

Native of New York But He Fought
With Wisconsin’s Cavalry.
Oldest Pythian.

   George Dimnent, Civil war veteran and one of the few surviving members of Lincoln post No 2, Grand Army of the Republic, died yesterday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. M. G. (Cora)
O’Malley, 3041 Bayard street. Death came after an illness of five days and was caused by a breakdown due to old age. Mr. Dimnent was 82 years old.

   The death of Mr. Dimnent leaves but three active members of the G. A. R. in Butte, H. H. Makinson, Simon Hauswirth and Charles Schumaker.  Two members of Lincoln post, D. I. Brenaman and John Marchion reside in Anaconda.

Well Known Figure

   Mr. Dimnent was a well known figure in Butte, where, until his last illness, he took  a prominent part in the activities of Lincoln post. He was the oldest member, in point of membership, of the Knights of Phythias in Butte, having joined the order in Wisconsin more than 60 years ago. He was also an old-time member of the Odd Fellows lodge and was an honorary member of Silver Bow post No. 1, American Legion, and Henry Lawton camp, Spanish-American war veterans.

   Born Dec. 20, 1847, at Middleton, N.Y., Mr. Dimnent while a boy moved to Wisconsin and enlisted at the age of 16 in the Fourth Wisconsin cavalry. He was a member of Company E, and later became a member of Company L. This company was used for skirmish and scouting work and their casualties were particularly heavy. It took part in engagements at Shofeli and Morganzi on the Mississippi and at the taking of Fort Blakely, Fort Mobile and Spanish Fort.

   The regiment was ordered out in pursuit of Jefferson Davis, following the fall of Richmond, but before it had reached Vicksburg the capture of the president of the Confederacy was announced and the regiment was sent to Texas for patrol duty along the Rio Grande.

 In West 14 Years  

   After receiving his discharge from the army, Mr. Dimnent located in Milwaukee, where he remained until the death of his wife, about 14 years ago.  Since that time he made his home with Mr. and Mrs. O’Malley in Portland, Ore., and Butte.

   In addition to his daughter and son-in-law, he is survived by a nephew, Edward Dimnent, president of Hope College at Holland Mich., and several nieces in Michigan.

   The body is at the Gateway Mortuary, where funeral services will be conducted Saturday afternoon. Members of the Spanish War veterans and American Legion will attend the services and full military honors will be accorded the veteran by these organizations.  Both will furnish firing squads and buglers.  

The Montana Standard
Butte, Montana
5/2/1929