Obituary for Joseph Carr
February 7, 1902

Joseph Carr's obituary in a local Iowa newspaper recalled his service during the Civil War and membership in the Grand Army of the Republic.

The many friends, white and colored, were pained to hear of the death of Mr. Joseph Carr, which occurred at his home in Butterville Friday morning, Jan. 31. Mr. Carr had been sick for ten months with dropsy. His death though daily expected came as a shock to the community. He leaves to mourn him, his wife, one brother and sister. Mr. Carr was a kind husband, good neighbor and was respected by all who knew him. In his death Muscatine will loose [sic] one of her best colored citizens. Mr. Carr was born in Cha[r]lottesville, Va., March 6, 1843. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. H, 11th U. S. colored heavy artillery, serving until discharged in Oct. 1865 at New Orleans. [H]e was a member of G. A. R. and the T. O[.] T. The funeral was held at the A. M. E. church of which he was a member. Sunday Feb. 3, at 2 p. m. Rev. Gordon of Ottumwa delivered a beautiful discourse. The choir sweetly sang appropriate hymns, among them some of Mr. Carr’s favorite hym[n]s. The church was crowded with friend[s] come to pay last respect to a good man. The G. A. R. and Co. C attended in a body. The services at the cemetery were conducted by the G. A. R. and were very impressive. The flora & decoration were beautiful and profuse[.] To know him was to love him.

SOURCES

Printed in Iowa State Bystander, February 7, 1902.