H. L. Burlingame Answers Taps

McKean County Democrat, August,20 1931

Comrade, H. LeRoy Burlingame, aged 89 of nearby Kasson, one of Smethport’s valiant survivors of the Civil War succumbed to the irresistible onslaught of relentless time at the Safstrom Nursing Home, East Smethport, Friday morning at 10:30 o’clock.

The venerable beloved citizen had been ailing for some time and was taken to the nursing home for treatment a few days previous to his death.

The deceased was born in Hamlin township, a few miles from Smethport, June 10, 1842, a son of Hiram W. and Sally Rifle Burlingame, pioneer settlers, being the oldest of a family of eight. In the days of Mr. Burlingame’s youth the entire area from Smethport through Kasson was solid wilderness, broken only by a few farms. Here he attended district school and grew to robust young manhood.

On August 18, 1862, he enlisted in his country’s service and on that day married Miss Alice Stark of this place before joining Company G. 150th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry under Capt. Horatio Buil, with which he saw strenuous service on the battle-front, being seriously wounded at Gettysburg. On Oct.1, 1863, he was transferred to the Veterans’ Reserve Corps and was mustered out of service by general orders July 7th, 1865.

Five children were born to H. LeRoy and Alice Stark Burlingame, one of who, Miss Lydia Burlingame, who has been the faithful aide of her parents, survives. Mrs. Burlingame passed away three years ago. The deceased is survived is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Belle Wilson, of Smethport, and Mrs. Millie Olmstead, of Portville, N.Y.; one brother, Earnest Burlingame, of Indianapolis, Ind.; five grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.

During his splendid and unusual Civil War service Comrade Burlingame participated in the following engagements: Fithugh’s Crossing, Va; Chancellorsville, Va; Gettysburg, pa; Battle of Wilderness Va; Spottsylvania, Va; North Anna, Va; Totopotomay, Va; Bethesda Church, Va; Weldon’s R.R,, Va; Hatche’s Run, Va, and Dubney’s Mills, Va.
After his return from the war Mr. Burlingame drove the stage and carried mail from Smethport to Wilcox for some time.

He lived in the borough for several years, during which time he served as constable, but most of his life was spent on his fine farm at Kasson, which he operated successfully up to the time failing health necessitated a rest from labor.

For a great many years Mr. Burlingame served as tipstave of the McKean County court, Smethport, and was one of the oldest court officers in point of continuous service in the entire state.

He was active in McKean County Post, G.A.R. during all the years of its existence and his interest in veterans’ affairs continued alert to the end. His kindliness and hospitality endeared him to all.

The funeral was held at the family home in Kasson Monday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock, the Rev. W. E. VanDyke, rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church officiating.

Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Smethport, full military honors being paid the aged hero by Bucktail Post, American Legion, which escorted the cortege.

A firing squad discharged volleys and Post Dugler Alford Bush sounded “Taps” as the body was consigned to the grave.

The casket bearers, World War veterans-were: Merle Dickinson, Dr. W. A. Ostrander, E. G. Potter, W. A. Ross, Edwin Lindholm and Charles McKean.