James Madison Cleland
(1843-1935)
Rebecca Jane Carman
(1866-1932)
Victor Silverton Cleland
(1895-1918)

 

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Victor Silverton Cleland

  • Born: 16 Mar 1895
  • Died: 13 Jun 1918, Camp Dodge, Polk County, Iowa at age 23
  • Buried: Riverton Cemetery, Riverton, Fremont County, Iowa
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Research of Ray W. Justus on Rootsweb.com

The Fremont County Herald
June 20, 1918
Vic Cleland Died at Camp Dodge
Second of the Fremont County Boys to Pass Away in the Service of His Country -- By DR. S. C. HATTON
We want to say something of the death of Victor S. Cleland of Riverton, which took place at Camp Dodge in the hospital June 13.
This young man was a product of Riverton. He was born March 6, 1895 and was 23 years 2 months and 27 days old at the time of his death. He was not in camp long when he came down with pneumonia, and never was much better during his nine months of serious sickness. He was an American soldier, and the hardships he endured during the nine months will never be known.
His body arrived in Riverton Monday morning. It should have arrived Sunday, but by mistake the body of another soldier who died at camp was sent and the mistake was immediately discovered and rectified. The funeral services were held in the city park at Riverton on Monday afternoon, the sermon being preached by Rev. J. P. Thomas, pastor of the Baptist church of Sidney, to a very large audience, the preacher taking for his text Acts XXII 28: "With a great sum obtained I this freedom."
The services were of a military character. A quartet sang beautifully. Six young men friends of the deceased, in military attire, were the pall-bearers. Taps were sounded and the military salute was given at the grave. The floral tributes were many and beautiful.
I knew this man from his infancy, and he was a good boy in the greatest sense of the term. "Vic", as he was well known by all the people, was respected by all who knew him. All the people were his friends, and knowing he was seriously sick from the beginning were shocked when the dispatch came announcing his death. The people of Riverton and surrounding country left their respective places of business and furnished everything to make the solemn occasion one long to be remembered, and they surely did--sent to Farragut for the fine hearse at that place, flowers in profusion, the music and exercises of every character were fitting for the occasion.
The old, the young, the middle aged, were present with some token to make the solemn ceremony pleasing to his people and a last sad tribute of respect in keeping with the fullness of the hearts of the people.
Full of vigor and health as he bade farewell to aged father and mother, brothers and sisters, as he stepped on the train to take his part at Camp Dodge, many eyes were filled with tears, and little was it thought that in a few months his lifeless form would be sent back to be placed in the Riverton cemetery. The beautiful and solemn services rendered at the pavilion and those at the grave were certainly very touching to everyone present.
Yes, Vic, there are other young men--call them boys--who are sleeping the long sleep with you. You knew them and we knew them, and it brings tears to our eyes when we think of such solemn occasions. The old people who can live only a few more years are bowed down with grief, but it was certainly a great help to them to have the people of Riverton and vicinity take such deep interest and make the burden as light as possible. To them and the family we extend our sympathy, and let him who doeth all things well shadow them with his tender mercy and loving kindness.




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