Maj. Samuel Harry Almon

Maj. Samuel H. Almon, one of the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic, who fills the position of United States Gauger of the Butte district, is reported as being seriously ill at his residence, 1205 W. Silver Street. The major has been planning a trip to Helena with the other boys who wore the blue during critical times, but he is unable to do so. He was one of the delegates in the national encampment a year ago, and he will be missed in the gathering of the brave old Grand Army boys at the camp fire. ___________________

Taps Sound for Major Almon (Taken from the Anaconda Standard newspaper, Anaconda, MT-April 29, 1907)

Maj. Samuel Harrison Almon, one of the best-known residents of Butte, died at this home, 1207 West Silver street, at 8 o'clock yesterday morning after an acute illness, which began Friday, April 10 [1907]. Bright's disease was the cause of death. The major had been in failing health for some months past although he bore up under his troubles, attending to his duties as United States gauger and bailiff of the United States court until a few days before he was stricken down. He became unconscious Monday and did not rally.

Major Almon was a native of Green County, Ill, where he was born May 6, 1834. His parents died when he was a small boy, and he was reared by his grandparents in Kentucky, where he lived until he reached young manhood, returning to Southern Illinois, where he engaged in the mercantile business with the man who afterward became his father-in-law, Colonel Rees.

His War Record

At the outbreak of the civil war he enlisted at Egypt, Ill, in the Thirty-first Illinois voluntary infantry as a private, Colonel Rees being his commander. He was attached to 'Fighting' John A. Logan's division, and as such his regiment made a record as one of the best fighting regiments in the army. Major Almon rose in rank rapidly, and at the end of the war had been promoted from a private to major. His first promotion, as a sergeant, came at the battle of Fort Donelson. Among other events in which he participated were the battle of Fort Henry, the siege of Vicksburg and Sherman's memorable march to the sea. He was once captured, and for nine months knew the horrors of prison life. He was confined at Charleston. When he was exchanged he returned to his regiment and fought throughout the remainder of the war. In July 1864, occurred two of the events of his life, the saddest as well as the happiest.

Siege of Vicksburg

During the siege of Vicksburg and while Fort Hill was being stormed, his commander Colonel Rees, fell mortally wounded. For three days he lingered between life and death, and then succumbed to his wounds. Just at the union army was on the point of victory, Captain Almon was assigned the sad duty of taking the body of his colonel and former partner to the old home for burial. He did so, and while he was away married the daughter of the dead soldier, her name being Marie L. Rees. After a few days with his bride, Almon, now winning recognition for his dauntless courage, returned to the field of battle and fought with the union forces during the rest of the war, retiring as a major after peace had been declared. He returned to peaceful pursuits and took up the burden where he had left it off at the beginning of the war.

After the War

At Tomaroa, Ill. he engaged in the hotel business, his faithful bride joining him. There they lived for many years, and six children were born to them. The three daughters that came to gladden their home all died in infancy. The three sons are still alive and all were with the mother at the bedside when the end came. They are William Almon of Kansas City; Norton L, in charge of the baggage room of the Northern Pacific in Butte; and Worth C, a resident of Helena.

The family came west in 1888, remaining in Salt Lake City for a few months, but finally coming to Butte, arriving here in September of that year. Major Almon's first business venture was in real estate, and he became a partner in the firm of Mantle & Warren. Here he remained for some time, afterwards engaging in the insurance business. Still later he was elected justice of the peace, a position which he held for four years. Still later he was appointed United States gauger and bailiff of the federal court, which positions he held until death claimed him.

He was a member of the Masonic society, having belonged to that order for 48 years. The Grand Army of the Republic was the only other order with which he had affiliation, being one of the first in Illinois to join the order. When he came to Butte he transferred his membership to the local lodge, Lincoln Post No. 1, and has held all of the important offices, being adjutant for 11 years and post commander for two terms.

Grand Army Delegate

At the last grand encampment of the Grand Army at Minneapolis, the major was a delegate from Montana. There he met a great many of his former comrades and the event was an epoch in his life of which he loved to tell. He was kindly and genial, always cheerful and had a good words for all who crossed his path.

The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 at the Masonic Temple, and the burial will be in the Grand Army plot in Mt. Moriah cemetery. The Masons and Grand Army veterans will participate in the exercises. The body will be removed from the home to the temple at 11 o'clock Tuesday morning and will lie in state, surrounded by a guard of honor of the Grand Army. ___________________

Eulogy on Samuel H. Almon - Eulogy delivered by Department Commander, B.N. Beebe at the Memorial Day Celebration at Mount Moriah Cemetery, Butte, Montana 1907

"We have parted company from a comrade who was a man. Reared in the mighty West, he was cast in a rugged mold and endowed with a fearless sense of justice and a personality of undaunted courage.

"The records show that early in the struggle for the preservation of the Union and our flag he, our lamented comrade, responded to the call of the Immortal Lincoln, and enlisted as a private, ready to offer up his life if need be that his country might live and be in truth a land of the free--a gallant soldier when his country needed defenders. In those time his sword flashed in the enemy's face, fear was not a part of his composition. By courage, loyalty to duty, and ability, he rose from private, through the several non-commissioned grades, to captain, and at the close of the war, was honorably discharged as a major of volunteers. Truly a brilliant record. We, his comrades, who have associated with him in Grand Army duties, both in post and department encampment, have no doubt that his companions during the dark and bloody days of the awful civil war learned to love this noble man, as we in times of peace and calm have learned to do. We know him to be a patient, cheerful, yet brilliant example of patriotism and heroism, as an office in civil affairs. He won the confidence of his associates by faithful integrity and devotion to duty. His courtesy, cordiality and obliging disposition were ever manifest in the everyday transaction of his busy life.

"In the post and department meetings he was a wise counselor, a safe guide in all matters pertaining to the good of the organization , a cause dear to him. While always conservative, any measure that to him appeared questionable, always received his condemnation in plain terms, though always in such a spirit as not to wound a comrade.

"Comrades and friends, while eulogy and praise are proper in the present case touching the character of the late comrade as a soldier and Grand Army man, there was another and greater side to him--love and affection. As a husband through the long life which he passed with the one he chose as his mate in early manhood, and who soothed and comforted him as he was passing down into the shadows of the valley obscuring the other shore, this scene portrays the noble character of the soul which passed to the great beyond. For this noble wife, bereave and sorrow-stricken, our hearts go out in sympathy and condolence, realizing that ties of affection and love entwined, interwove, and cemented for nearly 44 years, become as heart tendons, the severance of which come next is taking life.

"This true woman loved wisely, and had a subject strong, brave, noble and generous, on whom to rely and depend upon for comfort and protection.

"With the sons of the departed veteran, we mourn. We extend our sincere condolence. They have lost a father, a worthy model for them to copy in building their character as citizens.

"Taking Major Almon all in all, viewed from every point, by which we judge men, he was a true specimen of the grandest work of God and man."

• Source - Find a Grave Memorial

Samuel Harry Almon served in Company A and I, 31st Illinois Infantry Regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He enlisted in Company A, Illinois 31st Infantry Regiment on 18 Sep 1861 with the rank of private and was immediately promoted to Full Sergeant Major on 18 Sep 1861. Promoted to Full Captain on 17 Feb 1862 and was placed in charge of Company I. Promoted to Full Major on 01 Oct 1863. Mustered out on 27 Jul 1864.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/31st_Illinois_Volunteer_Infantry_Regi...