Brandon, Samuel Buckeye1896 Company B 71^{st OVI}

Samuel H Brandon was born February 14th, 1838 and died January 4th, 1890, aged 57 years, 10 months and 20 days.

In the trying days of 1861, soon after the declaration of war, the deceased enlisted in his country’s service. It was on October 7the that he like many thousands other noble patriots , bade farewell to home and fiends and from the pursuit of peaces he mustered for the field of carnage under “Old Glory.” As a citizen, neighbor, friend, father, and husband he had endeared himself to all and as a soldier he had the hearts o his comrades. Enlisting as a private, by his loyalty and fidelity he soon rose to a Second, then a First Lieutenancy. From that time forward he had charge of his Company. With him in the same regiment were four brothers and three brothers-in-law, and not to be outdone or left behind, his youngest brother, James, a patriotic lad followed them to the front and spent months with them, although “Uncle Sam” had refused the boy because so young. Remarkable to relate, while nearly all were wounded, and passed through many sore trials, tribulations, and battles, all returned home.

Samuel is the first to be called to the appointed place of the dead. Comrade Brandon veteraned in 1864 and while at home the boys made him a present of a beautiful watch as a token of their high regard for their Commander. One by one the boys (no grey beards) of this noble 71st OVI are passing from our midst and the ranks of the Grand Army are being rapidly thinned. Comrade Brandon was wounded at the battle o Nashville, Tennessee, December 16th, 1864. After being mustered out March 26, 1865, he returned to his home and friends, broken in health, to again enjoy the pleasure of home and follow the path of peace. In 18?? he had a stroke of paralysis and from that time until his death he was more or less and invalid. Stroke succeeded stroke until Christmas day of 1895, when he was prostrated with a final stroke and while other homes were gladdened with the remembrance that the Christ child was born and the angels had heralded their notes of joy declaring “peace on earth and good will to man,” mourning and gloom settled down upon the home of Comrade Brandon.

Sergeant Martz, his orderly, a devoted friend from Rockford, Mercer County, Ohio, who had visited him frequently in his affliction, was with him several days before his death and left for home only a few hours before. For many years Comrade Brandon had laid aside his carnal weapons, (his sword hanging on the wall rusting in this scabbard) and was faithfully endeavoring to use the weapons of spiritual conflict. For fifteen years he was a faithful member of the Christian Church at West Grove, Darke County, after which he united with the Seventh Day Adventist church of Laura, of which he died a member. Neighbors, friends and relatives all declare that no eulogy is too good for their dear friend and comrade.

The funeral services were held in the Christian church house at Laura, conducted by Elder D. E. Lindsey of Clyde, Ohio and Elder W.L.Elon of Dayton. The house was packed with sympathizing neighbors, friends and comrades. Old Glory was draped in the rear of the pulpit, the sword of Lieutenant Brandon lay abode him on this coffins and the singers rendered several appropriate hymns. Comrade Brandon was buried in Pleasant Hill cemetery there to rest until the general roll is called.