New Hampshire's Last Civil War Veteran:
East Rochester
Anthony Cilley
Died April 9,1927
Anthony Cilley, aged 88 years, a well-known Civil War veteran, answered the last roll call at his home on Spring Street early Saturday morning April 9,1927 following a long illness due to old age. The end came peacefully to the last of the Civil War Veterans in East Rochester. He was born in Plymouth, N.H., the son of Andrew and Charlotte (Leeds) Cilley, he came here in 1905 to live, purchasing a home on Spring Street. Severe injuries received in his term of service in the Civil War preventing his doing very much work. He enlisted in Company D, 7th N.H. Regt., and in an engagement in Lester, Fla., he received an ugly bullet wound in the forearm. At Morris Island, S.C., he was blown up with an ammunition wagon and when he struck the ground, in some manner he received a bayonet thrust. A comrade took him off the field and he was given medical attention. Had it not been for this comrade, he would have lost his life. For a number of years he endeavored to learn who this comrade was and finally learned that it was the late John McLaughlin of South Lebanon section. He was a good soldier, brave and fearless and received an honorable discharge. Mr. Cilley was an excellent citizen and neighbor, quiet and unassuming in disposition and never would wrong a person or say anything against him. In spite of his infirmities, he was always ready to aid the sick and distressed in every possible manner. He held membership in Bell Post, G.A.R., of Manchester and is survived by his widow, two sons, Police Officer Irvin H. Cilley and James Cilley, World War Veteran, also two daughters, Miss Mattie Cilley and Mrs. Frank Ames. The funeral services were held at the home Tuesday afternoon and full military honors were given by Rochester Post, No. 7, American Legion, of Rochester, Roy Shaw, commander. The Legion performed the burial ceremony, furnished bearers, firing squad and did escort duty. Relatives and friends largely attended the services and many gathered in the cemetery for the final rites. Rev. Donald Fraser, pastor of the Congregational Church of Rochester, officiated and he was assisted by Rev. Roger Thompson, pastor of the Bethany Methodist Church. Adjutant Clarence Mallette representing Sampson Post, G.A.R. Under Legion escort, the procession moved to Cold Spring cemetery, the color bearers being Thomas Varrow, and Arthur York, and the color guards, Morrill Sanborn and Walter Morrison. The pallbearers were Philip Hubbard, Earl Jenness, Jude Rainville and Ernest Winkley. At the cemetery, Commander Shaw and Chaplain Edward L. Bacon performed the last rites and Rev. Donald Fraser assisted. Buglers Frank Twitchell and Joseph Jandrow sounded taps. Under the command of Sergeant Warren Snitcher, Harry Berry, Karl Mitchell, Howard Robbins, Ernest Turmelle, Clifford Breton and Frank Libby fired a volley over the grave and East Rochester’s last veteran was mustered out.
Anthony Cilley, aged 88 years, a well-known Civil War veteran, answered the last roll call at his home on Spring Street early Saturday morning April 9,1927 following a long illness due to old age. The end came peacefully to the last of the Civil War Veterans in East Rochester. He was born in Plymouth, N.H., the son of Andrew and Charlotte (Leeds) Cilley, he came here in 1905 to live, purchasing a home on Spring Street. Severe injuries received in his term of service in the Civil War preventing his doing very much work. He enlisted in Company D, 7th N.H. Regt., and in an engagement in Lester, Fla., he received an ugly bullet wound in the forearm. At Morris Island, S.C., he was blown up with an ammunition wagon and when he struck the ground, in some manner he received a bayonet thrust. A comrade took him off the field and he was given medical attention. Had it not been for this comrade, he would have lost his life. For a number of years he endeavored to learn who this comrade was and finally learned that it was the late John McLaughlin of South Lebanon section. He was a good soldier, brave and fearless and received an honorable discharge. Mr. Cilley was an excellent citizen and neighbor, quiet and unassuming in disposition and never would wrong a person or say anything against him. In spite of his infirmities, he was always ready to aid the sick and distressed in every possible manner. He held membership in Bell Post, G.A.R., of Manchester and is survived by his widow, two sons, Police Officer Irvin H. Cilley and James Cilley, World War Veteran, also two daughters, Miss Mattie Cilley and Mrs. Frank Ames. The funeral services were held at the home Tuesday afternoon and full military honors were given by Rochester Post, No. 7, American Legion, of Rochester, Roy Shaw, commander. The Legion performed the burial ceremony, furnished bearers, firing squad and did escort duty. Relatives and friends largely attended the services and many gathered in the cemetery for the final rites. Rev. Donald Fraser, pastor of the Congregational Church of Rochester, officiated and he was assisted by Rev. Roger Thompson, pastor of the Bethany Methodist Church. Adjutant Clarence Mallette representing Sampson Post, G.A.R. Under Legion escort, the procession moved to Cold Spring cemetery, the color bearers being Thomas Varrow, and Arthur York, and the color guards, Morrill Sanborn and Walter Morrison. The pallbearers were Philip Hubbard, Earl Jenness, Jude Rainville and Ernest Winkley. At the cemetery, Commander Shaw and Chaplain Edward L. Bacon performed the last rites and Rev. Donald Fraser assisted. Buglers Frank Twitchell and Joseph Jandrow sounded taps. Under the command of Sergeant Warren Snitcher, Harry Berry, Karl Mitchell, Howard Robbins, Ernest Turmelle, Clifford Breton and Frank Libby fired a volley over the grave and East Rochester’s last veteran was mustered out.
