Ford County in the Civil War: June 2015

Sunday, June 21, 2015

John P. Liby

The funeral services of J. P. Liby were held Sunday, March 15, at the M. E. church here, the Rev. R. W. Ames officiating, and was one of the largest that has ever been held here, and the summons of the only surviving veteran of the city brought much sorrow into our midst. Mr. Liby saw much service during the Civil war and he found great pleasure in telling his friends of the experiences which he encountered during this time. It has been the pleasure of the writer to talk to Mr. Liby on a number of occasions in regard to his service as a soldier, and he had promised to give us a complete story of the hardships and struggles which he encountered. The most interesting of these was his capture by Confederate soldiers and his confinement in the Cahaba, Ala., prison. From this prison he made his escape and it was only with the greatest difficulty that he was able to reach the Union lines. Mr. Liby spoke to the school children here on several occasions, telling them of his experiences, and he also gave a talk on Decoration Day at the services. The deceased leaves to mourn his loss besides his wife two sons, Thomas of Ash Creek, Minn.; Joseph of Roberts; three daughters, Mrs. Estella Norbit, of Piper City; Mrs. Bell Maxson of Talbot, Ind., and Mrs. Cora Smith, of Freeland Park, Ind. Miss Dora Herr, a granddaughter, whose mother died some fifteen years ago, has been making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Liby here.

--Paxton Record. 26 March 1914.

BORN 9 Jun 1839
DIED 13 Mar 1914
BURIED Lyman Township Cemetery
IL Co. K. 11th Illinois US Cavalry

Daniel Van Antwerp

DANIEL VANANTWERP
1826-1901

D. W. VanAntwerp was born in Saratoga County, New York, 1826. In Oct., 1862 he enlisted in Co. D. 91st Illinois Inft. and was elected 2nd lieutenant. He was honorably discharged August, 1863, because of sickness. He was a member of Melvin Post 500 Grand Army of the Republic which he joined Dec. 10, 1887.

Having been an invalid and great sufferer for years, last spring, he chose to go to Danville, where he could enjoy the company of comrades and all the comforts of a home.

Lieutenant VanAntwerp died in Danville, June 5, 1900; the body was brought home and given a Grand Army burial by twenty-two of his comrades in Roberts Cemetery. Ten young ladies carrying flags acted as a guard of honor. Post 500 and Corps 159 and friends from Melvin attended the funeral.