Ketchum, Francis H.
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MILITARY SERVICE Age: 18, credited to Marshfield, VT Unit(s): 1st VT CAV Service: enl 12/16/63, m/i 12/31/63, Pvt, Co. C, 1st VT CAV, pr CPL 2/1/65, tr to Co. A 6/21/65, wdd, Weldon Railroad, 6/23/64, pow 9/24/64, prld n.d. m/o 8/9/65 See Legend for expansion of abbreviations VITALSBirth: 06/30/1846, Plainfield, VT Death: 11/11/1923 Burial: Pleasant View Cemetery, Randolph, VT Marker/Plot: Not recorded Gravestone photographer: Bob Hackett Findagrave Memorial #: 77257330 MORE INFORMATION Alias?: None noted Pension?: Yes, 7/16/1868; widow Clara J., 12/1/1923, VT Portrait?: Gibson Collection College?: Not Found Veterans Home?: Not Found (If there are state digraphs above, this soldier spent some time in a state or national soldiers' home in that state after the war) Remarks: None DESCENDANTS (Are you a descendant, but not listed? Register today) |
BURIAL: Copyright notice  Pleasant View Cemetery, Randolph, VT Check the cemetery for location/directions and other veterans who may be buried there. |
Obituary
Death of Prominent Civil War Veteran
The community was saddened by the sudden death of Frank H. Ketchum, which occurred at 10 o'clock Sunday evening at his home on Randolph avenue. Mr. Ketchum had been in poor health for a year and a half, suffering from heart trouble and complications, but persistently kept about most of the time. Saturday he was able to go over street and even on Sunday was outdoors. After dinner he suffered an attack of acute indigestion, which, with a weak heart, probably brought on embolism, which was the immediate cause of his death.
Frank H. Ketchum was born June 20, 1846, in Plainfield, one of a family of four, of whom one, Charles, of Roxbury, Mass., now survives. He first married Marion Bullock, who passed away leaving two sons, Wallace F., who is deceased, and Walter H., who lives in Gaysville. In August, 1880, he married Clara J. Blaisdell of Boston, residing in that city until twenty-five years ago when they removed to Randolph. He is survived by the wife, son and brother mentioned, also by four grandchildren, Francis and Marjorie Ketchum, children of Walter Ketchum, and two daughters, Bertha and Elsie, of Wallace Ketchum.
Mr. Ketchum held a long an honorable record of service in the Civil war, enlisting from Marshfield in Co. C, 1st Vt. Cavalry, Dec, 17, 1863. He was mustered in Dec, 21st of the same year and promoted to corporal Feb. 1St 1865. He was wounded and taken prisoner June 23, 1864, being paroled Sept 24 1864. He was transferred to Co. A, June 21st, 1865, and mustered out Aug. 9th of that year. He returned to his native town, where he resided until 1889 when he went to Boston.
The deceased was an electrician, following that occupation for a period covering nearly 45 years. He had the distinction of doing the first electric wiring ever installed in Randolph, and when the system was put in here did most of the interior wiring. He has been a respected citizen, holding many positions of responsibility. For several years he was chief of police. He was always active and valuable in public service, never spring himself to promote a worthy cause that enlisted his sympathy.
He was a member of Randolph lodge, No. 48, I. O. O. F., and Excelsior encampment, having held all the offices in both. While these two lodges lose a loved and honored member, Mr. Ketchum's death causes an almost irreparable loss to U. S. Grant post, No. 96, G. A. R., of which he had been commander for the past twelve years. He was ever working for the good of that organization, his interest still holding during the past two years of declining health. With his death, it leaves only five members of the post. He was a devoted husband and father and had the loving and constant care of his wife to the end.
The funeral was held at the home yesterday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, Rev. R. H. Moore officiating. U. S. Grant post, American Legion, Women's Relief corps and Odd Fellows attended in a body. Burial was in Pleasant View cemetery.
Source: Bethel Courier, November 15, 1923.
Courtesy of Tom Boudreau.