1891 Amanda J Nusbaum and Henry Bechtel were married on December 19, 1891 at Goshen, Elkhart County, Indiana. [1] [2]
1937 Henry Bechtel was buried at Yellow Creek Brick Cemetery, Elkhart County, Indiana. Henry Bechtel was born in April, 1846. [3] [4]
1937 An obituary for Henry Bechtel reported [5] [6]
Death Takes Last Veteran of Civil War
Henry Bechtel of Goshen Dies Monday Morning at Age of 91 years (Goshen News-Democrat)
Taps were sounded Monday for Henry Bechtel, 91 Goshen's last Civil War veteran, who died at 4:50 am at his home, 629 South Seventh St. of complications. He has been bedfast for the past two weeks.
The passing of Mr. Bechtel removed the last name from the roll of Howell Post GAR., which at one time had 350 Civil War veterans as members. Mr. Bechtel's war record covered two enlistments.
Active until his final illness, Mr. Bechtel was one of Goshen's most keen of mind and memory despite his advanced years and could recount with accuracy the growth of Elkhart from a sparsely settled community, when he came to Indiana with his parents 83 years ago, to the present time.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the First Presbyterian Church. The Rev TV. Dillon, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be made in the Yellow Creek cemetery, which was originally part of the old Bechtel home-stead. The Rev. AB. Yoder, pastor of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ church of Goshen will assist at the services.
Youthful Soldier. A boy in his teens, but with the courage and patriotism of full manhood, when the Civil War was raging he could not remain at home, but enlisted May 6, 1864. he acted as corporal and dispatch carrier for Captain John Haschette.
As a part of the Army of Cumberland his regiment of Franklin, followed up by the two days' conflict at Nashville which resulted in the complete defeat of Hood's forces and the disorganization of the rebel army in the west. His regiment was at Johnsonville, Tenn. when the news of Lee's surrender came, and five days later their joy was saddened by the tidings of Lincoln's assassination. His regiment was part of the forces which were sent to Texas to conclude the was and hold that state in subjection.
Revisits Battle Scenes. Accompanied by his wife and son, Harry, Mr. Bechtel visited the scenes of the battles of Franklin and Nashville in 1930.
A native of Blair county, Pennsylvania, where he was born April 6, 1846, he was the third of eight children, equally divided between sons and daughters, whose parents were Daniel and Sarah (Neterer) Bechtel.
When the son Henry was eight years old his father brought the family to Elkhart county, and on section 36 of Harrison township in 1855, the Bechtels became acquainted with the primitive conditions of existence as dwellers in a cabin built of logs. Mr. Bechtel used to recall this house and tell how the first night was passed in it without a door to protect them form outside elements. The father first bought 80 acres, but by subsequent additions brought this estate up to 660 acres, all located in Harrison township.
The first school house Mar Bechtel attended was of logs having slab seats, and all other primitive equipments. When, 18 years of age, he enlisted in the Civil War.Married in 1868. Upon returning from the war, Mr. Bechtel's marriage to Miss Mary M. Otto occurred in 1868, who died in 1888. To this union six children were born, four of whom survive, Charles of Wakarusa, Mrs. Nora Love, of Elkhart, Daniel of Harrison township, and John, of Los Angeles, Calf.
December 19, 1891, Mr. Bechtel married Miss Amanda J. Nusbaum. To this union one son was born, Harry, of Goshen, who with the wife also survives. There are 13 grandchildren, a brother, David, of Goshen, and a sister, Mrs. Amanda Slabaugh of Nappanee.
A republican in politics, Mr. Bechtel cast his first vote for Grant; and the public affairs and political interests of his township, county and state always elicited his attention. By the choice of his fellow citizens he became trustee of Harrison township in 1904.
When Mr. Bechtel retired from active farming in 1913, the occupation he followed all of his life, he moved to Goshen. He was a member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Bechtel remained active in the affairs of the GAR until his death. Annually he participated in Memorial Day services.
Wakarusa Tribune, April 15, 1937
1944 Amanda J Nusbaum Bechtel died in June and was buried at Yellow Creek Brick Cemetery, Elkhart County, Indiana. Amanda J Nusbaum Bechtel was born on April 10, 1862. [7] [8]
[1] Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992, [FamilySearchRecord].
[2] Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992, [FamilySearchRecord].
[3] Find A Grave Memorial 73117776, [FindAGrave].
[4] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].
[5] Wakarusa Public Library, Historical Room Collection, Obituaries, [Wakarusa_Library].
[6] Newspaper, Wakarusa Tribune (Wakarusa, Indiana), April 15, 1937.
[7] Find A Grave Memorial 73116811, [FindAGrave].
[8] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].