Obituary of John (Buck) Newsom

Henderson County Tennessee

Obituary of John Newsom

Contributed by William S. Newsom (sly222@prodigy.net), great, great grandson of John Newsom.

DEATH TAKES UNCLE JOHN NEWSOM
LAST CIVIL WAR VETERAN
ATTACK OF PNEUMONIA PROVES FATAL AT 94;
FUNERAL RITES TO BE HELD HERE FRIDAY

All Henderson and Chester County mourns at the passing of “Uncle” John Newsom, last remaining Civil War veteran of Chester County, whose death came quietly Wednesday at 11 o’clock following a two week’s illness with influenza, which developed into pneumonia early this week. He celebrated his 94th birthday this past February 26.

“Uncle” John, as he has been affectionately known by his hundreds of friends and admirers for many years, was born in Anson County, N.C. Feb 26, 1845, of a line of forefathers who came to America from England in early colonial times and were active in settlement of the Old North State . When he was 12 he moved to West Tennessee and had lived in this section ever since.

He was 16 when the Civil War broke and he enlisted at the beginning, joining the 10th Tennessee Cavalry under General Joe Wheeler, and taking part in many of the major engagements of the war. He also rode for a time with General Nathan Bedford Forest when that famous cavalry leader was making things hot for the Yanks in Tennessee and Mississippi.

In 1862 Mr. Newsom had a horse shot from under him while on a raiding party with General Wheelers forces, and suffered a serious hip injury that caused him to limp and use a cane in walking for the remainder of his life.

At the close of the war he again took up his residence in Chester County where he married and reared a large family, nine of whom survive him. Up until his last illness he retained all of his faculties to and unusual degree. His eyesight was excellent and he enjoyed reading and discussing current affairs. His health was unusually good.

Last July he took a 10-day trip to Gettysburg where he attended a reunion of the Blue and the Gray on the 75th anniversary of that historic battle. He stood the trip well and came home in the best of sprits.

In September he made a five-day trip to Chattanooga, where with other veterans he was an honored guest at the Chickamaugua celebration in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the battle of Chickamaugua. This trip was also made with apparent ease.

Mr. Newsoms birthdays have been events in Chester County for a number of years. All members of his family gathered with him at those times and hundreds of relatives and friends calling to wish him well.

Besides his wife, Mrs. Janie Newsom, he is survived by seven daughters; Mrs. Mary Robertson of Luling, Texas, Mrs. Jim Melton and Mrs. Atlas Smith of Henderson. Mrs. Lee Melton of Bethal Spring, Mrs. Claude Morris of Jacks Creek, Mrs. Ellen Cherry of Glendale and Mrs. Bob McEwen of Corinth; and two sons, Ed Newsom of Jacks Creek and Albert Newsom of Gibson County; 75 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren. His only brother, Billy, died during the winter at the age of 88.

Funeral services are to be held tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at 2:30 at the First Baptist Church, N.B. Hardeman conducting. Interment will be in the City Cemetery, with Lawrence Moffitt in charge of arrangements.

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