Obituary/Biographical Profile: Monterville D. Dewire, Company A, Pennsylvania Volunteers, 100th Regiment
Transcribed by Glenn Dixon. Edited and Published to the 100th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Website by David L. Welch
Obituary of Monterville D. Dewire (Dwyer).
Edon (Ohio) Commercial, Thursday, Jan. 25, 1923, page 1.
Monterville D. Dewire, son of William and Mary Dewire (Dwyer), was born at East Pike Run, Washington County Pa., April 28, 1843, one of seven children; died Jan. 15, 1923, aged 79 years, 8 months and 18 days.
His father died when he was 3 years old, his mother died when he was 7. One year was spent with his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Hartman. He then went to live with strangers, first with Mr. A. Duvall for three years, then with a Mr. Gregg for a short time, and at the age of 13 to the home of Mr. James Ailes where he agreed to stay until he was 21 for victuals and clothes, and a horse, saddle and bridle, and a new suit of clothes if he was a faithful boy.
In 1861, at the age of 18, he enlisted in Co. A, 100th Pa. Regt., known as ‘‘Leasure’s Roundheads.’’ He re-enlisted and served until the close of the war, being discharged as sergeant of his regiment, July 24, 1865. He participated in all but two of the 28 battles in which the regiment was engaged having been taken prisoner at Chantilly, missing South Mountain and Antietam, but rejoined the regiment in time for Fredericksburg, having been gone less than 8 weeks. He captured a ‘‘stand of colors’’ at Ft. Stedman, and was given a 15-day furlough for exceptional bravery in doing it.
He was married to Rebecca E. Harris Dec. 24, 1866. He moved to Missouri in the spring of 1867, to Kansas in the fall of 1867, where he took up a homestead and engaged in farming and later in stock raising and shipping. In 1867 he came to Edon where he engaged in the hotel and livery business for four years then purchased the farm in Steuben County, Indiana, which he owned at the time of his death.
His wife died Jan. 14, 1902, and his daughter, Lulu Omstead and family came to keep house for him. On April 16, 1907, he was married to Mrs. Ella Trease, who survives him. He also leaves three sons –Milton V. of Sharon, Wis., and Willard C and Elgy E. of Edon –two daughters –Mrs. Lulu Omstead and Mrs. Lelia Morley of Hamilton, Ind., -besides 11 grandchildren and great grandchildren and other relatives.
At the age of 16 he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Greenfield, Pa., and has always been a firm believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1908 he united with the Church of Christ in Edon and has been a faithful attendant at services whenever possible. He has been a member of the F & A. M. for many years; also of Hiram Louden Post G.A.R.