L. E. Bressie CW Vet

Civil War Veterans buried in Lyman Township Cemetery:

Lewis Edward Bressie, son of William F. and Ann (Finger) Bressie was born at Salem, Washington County, Indiana, April 17th, 1845, and died at his home in Roberts, Illinois, Saturday, September 6th, 1924, aged 79 years 4 months and 19 days.
When barely 18 years of age, viz. April 1863, he enlisted in Company C 117th Indiana Infantry and was first sent to Indianapolis for guard duty but was soon sent down through Kentucky into Tennessee where they were in a number of engagements the most severe being at Blain's Cross Roads. They were at Cumberland Gap on the cold new year's day noted in history, Jan.1, 1864. Here Mr. Bressie and most of his regiment were without shoes but had soles fastened to their feet with thongs. On that day they marched 23 miles in that condition. He continued his service with that regiment until discharged and then re-enlisted in Co. C 144th Indiana Infantry and served until the close of the war being discharged August 12, 1865.
January 4, 1866, he married Miss Sarah Ann Suplee at the home of her parents at Salem, Indiana. To them were born three children Albert J. of Bloomington, Charles E. who died at Roberts August 12, 1920, and Minnie Bertha who died at the age of 6 years. He leaves to mourn his death one son, seven grand-daughters, and eight great-grandchildren, also one sister at Olney, Illinois, and numerous other relatives and a host of friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Bressie came to Roberts in 1874 and he worked as plasterer for eleven years, then for three years dealt in harnesses, boots and shoes. In 1888 he purchased the general merchandise store of Flora & Newman which he conducted for many years since which he has lived a retired life. He was an active member of Melvin Post No. 500 G.A.R., Lyman K. of P. and of Gibson City Lodge A.F. and A.M., also a member of the Congregational Church in Roberts. He was a man of sterling character, strong personality, and determined energy. He served his community in various official capacities, and was ever known as a man whose personal opinion and integrity could not be swayed by hopes of popular applause.
The funeral services were held at the Congregational Church in Roberts Sunday afternoon, September 7th, at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. J. O. Ferris and Rev. J. T. Killip officiating. The remains were then laid to rest in Lyman Cemetery. Lyman Lodge K. of P. had charge of the ceremony at the grave.
Among those from a distance who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Samuels and family, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Overymeyer, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Overymeyer and B. Kenney of Clinton, Lem Smedley and Mrs. Hall of Rantoul, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hawthorne and family and Mrs. E. Roberts of Urbana, Mr. and Mrs. Fidell Hummel of Strawn and Mr. and Mrs. Kirker Hawthorne and H. M. Hawthorne of Piper City.

--Roberts Herald. 10 September 1924.