| OXFORD
Andrew Burrill Yeoman died at his home in Worcester, to which city he had recently removed, on Friday morning last, of pneumonia. He had been sick only from Sunday evening. He was born in Webster, Oct. 11, 1835, came to Oxford at an early date with his father, and his home has always been here until his removal to the city two or three months ago. He was 58 years, 2 months and 18 days old. He was one of the first to enlist in Co. E. 15th Regiment, Massachusetts Vols. and went to the front with the regiment in 1861. For valuable services rendered he was accorded a pass to Washington and recommended for a furlough home. Sergeant Yeoman’s pass was read by the conductors, “Surgeon” Yeomans, and was shown the courtesies due that rank on the way. Sergt. Yeomans was a soldier of uncommon courage and intelligence. In circumstances which sometimes made the stoutest hearted waver, he could always be depended upon, and with cool courage went even further than duty called. The funeral service took place here on Sunday, at Memorial Hall, which was filled with a large gathering of our citizens and friends. The arrangements were in charge of Gen. Devens Post, of which he was a member, O. B. Chaffee, commander. The remains were in a black cloth covered casket, upon which were the stars and stripes, in the rear the national colors, and at the head and foot the stacked guns. The services began with singing by a male quartette of the Methodist Church, Messrs. Rich, Foster, Fortin and Barnes. Rev. Mr. Gregson read the scriptural selections of the Episcopal service; Rev. Mr. Tyler gave the address in which he spoke of the mystery of death, revealed to faith in the gospel, giving assurance to hope of the life immortal, the conditions of which as represented in the scripture selections were as the typical stars glorious, as the typical grain a reproduced personality, in a realm free from sin and death. He spoke of the army life of the departed, the general esteem in the service and the testimony of officers of high rank to his efficiency in the field. He spoke of him as one who enjoyed the general regard of his surviving comrades of the war; as one well read in standard and modern literature; a well informed man in past and passing history; closing with hopeful words to the stricken family and the sorrowing Comrades. Prayer was then offered by Rev Mr Tunnicliffe, and the benediction given by Mr. Gregson. Then the large audience passed the bier of the sleeping soldier, and then the comrades bore him away to his burial in the family lot near the entrance to the North cemetery. Here the burial service of the Grand Army was given by Commander Chaffee and Post Chaplain Bixby. A male quartette of the Grand Army, Messrs. E. D. Clemans of Webster, and Messrs. Gregson, Chaffee and Mann of Oxford sang “There is rest neath the shade of the trees.” The parting salute followed, the trumpet sounded taps and Sergeant Yeomans is at rest. The bearers were Comrades L. E. Thayer, E. Humes, D. Johnson and J. E. Nichols. There was a large turn out of the post here and of Comrades from Webster and Charlton, the Sons of Veterans and the Relief Corps. |