(Transcribed from Antigo Daily Journal, June 20, 1935 obituary)

John Newbury, Last Antigo Civil War Veteran, Is Dead
Succumbs at home here at age 87 after long illness

John Archibald Newbury, last of Antigo's Civil War veterans, last member of the John A. Kellogg Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and also last one to hold the office of commander and quartermaster, died yesterday afternoon at his home, 827 Hudson Street at the age of eighty-seven after a long illness. With his passing John A. Kellogg Post, which had enrolled more than 180 members, passed out of existence.

Mr. Newbury was born in Tompkins county, New York, June 4, 1848, the year of Wisconsin's admission to statehood, on the farm where his grandfather and father had lived before him. While a mere boy he enlisted for service with the Union Army in the War of the Rebellion, his unit being Company I, 169th New York Infantry, and his date of enlistment, August 16, 1864.

The first battle in which Mr. Newbury engaged was Petersburg, Virginia, as the troops advanced toward Richmond. He was then sent with his unit to North Carolina, later going to aid in the capture of Fort Fisher under General Terry. His next active service was at Wilmington, North Carolina, where forces were joined with General Sherman and they went on to Raleigh. In July 1865 his regiment marched through the Carolinas on their way homeward, and Mr. Newbury was mustered out, July 19, at Albany, only seven miles from where he enlisted.

Until October, 1865, John Newbury remained at home, then he started for the Middle West, going to Manawah, this state. For three years he worked by turn in the words, and on the rivers. In 1869n he married Julia Ana Fisk, who preceded him in death. The family moved to Antigo in 1882. Mr. Newbury built a home on what is now Second Avenue, the family residing there until 1882. Then they moved to a new dwelling erected on Hudson Street, and which has continued to be the family home. The site at the time of building was covered with heavy timber.

New Newbury helped clear Fifth Avenue of stumps from the main railway track west to the city limits, and from the Belt Line east to the city limits. He was Antigo's first house mover and engaged in that business until about 1902, when he sold out to H.H. Mayerl.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Newbury, four of which died in infancy. A fifth, Harry, died in a naval hospital in Washington in 1918. The surviving children are Frank, of Peshtigo, Mrs. Essie McDougal, Archie, Jack, and Grace, of the city.

Funeral services will be held at the home at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Elmswood Cemetery.

Information Sources:
Antigo Daily Journal, June 20, 1935
Langlade County Historical Society
Various census and databases on Ancestry.com
1890 Veteran's Schedule


Researched and submitted by Bro. Vince Barker

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