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Benjamin W. “Ben” Laybourn

Home...BiographiesBenjamin W. “Ben” Laybourn

Benjamin W. "Ben" Laybourn

The Lowell Star, August 17, 1872, page 5, column 3, had a list of soldiers who were supporters of Grant in that election. Among them was Ben Laybourn of the 156th Ill. According to an Internet database of Illinois Civil War veterans, Benjamin Laybourn was in Company F of the Illinois 156th Infantry. He lived in Sumner at the time.

This January 28, 1932, Lowell Tribune article appeard on page 4, column 3:
    The passing of Wilford Stratton leaves but one survivor of the Civil War residing in Cedar Creek, Ben Laybourn, of Lowell, who is nearing 90 years of age. In fact, Mr. Laybourn is the only surviving veteran of this great war living in the south part of the county that we know, Thad Mott, we understand, now living at Lake Village. At one time there were several hundred veterans residing in the three Creeks and Hanover townships, but they have gradually answered the call, until only one survives.
These unidentified, undated newspaper articles were found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:

    TO GIVE BANQUET IN HONOR OF LAST SURVIVING VETERAN

    Lowell Post 101, American Legion are to give a banquet on Monday night, June 13th, in honor of Benjamin Laybourn, the last surviving veteran of the Civil War residing in the south end of the county. The public is cordially invited to attend this banquet and those interested can secure a ticket by calling on any member of the Post.

    The speaker of the evening will be Major Norman A. Imrie, instructor at Culver Military Academy. He is a man that comes highly recommended as a speaker and entertainer and will be worth hearing. Among the many testimonials as to his ability we select the following:

    From the Indiana Society, of Chicago: "His was a delightfully witty number and it went big with the crowd. The banquet was huge success and a large share of the credit is Major Imrie's." Arrange to attend this banquet and help honor our only surviving veteran of the Civil War.

    * * * * *

    ACED VETERAN HONORED GUEST

    BANQUET GIVEN BY LEGION IN HONOR OF BENHAMIN LAYBOURN

    Benjamin Laybourn, the only surviving veteran of the Civil War residing in Lowell, was the guest of honor at a banquet given by the members of Lowell Post American Legion Monday. There were about 125 guests present when the members of Lowell Legion Auxiliary began serving a most excellent course dinner.

    The program of the evening was opened by the Post Chaplain John Cullen. The Christian church orchestra furnished the music for the occasion. R.H. Welgert, of Beecher, Il., favored the guests with a cornet solo. He was accompanied by Mrs. Leon Bailey. Mrs. Vera Minninger sang a Scotch medley, accompanied by Mrs. Raymond McCarty on the piano. The music by the orchestra and the two other musical numbers were greatly enjoyed by the guests and they were loudly applauded.

    Leon Bailey, acting as chairman of the meeting, introduced the speaker of the evening, Major Norman A. Imrie, instructor in the Culver Military Academy, who spoke for over an hour. He took as his theme "Do What You Can With What You Got Where You Are," which was a very appropriate subject in these times. The talk by Major Imrie was along a humorous line, but was a wonderful talk and he used humorous stories to bring out the points of his subject and the only complaint we hear is that the talk was too short and the guests were all like the writer and could have listened to him talk for another hour or more. It was one of the best talks ever given in Lowell and we hope that we may have the pleasure of listening to the Major again at some future date.

    Commander Clayton Davis, of Lowell Post with a few well chosen words, presented Mr. Laybourn with an elegant smoking set as a token of regard and the gift is very highly prized by the recipient.

    The guest of honor is 90 years of age and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. He served in Co. F., 156th Illinois during the war of the Rebellion and has been a resident of this community most of his life. When Burnham Post G.A.R. was in existence he was an honored member and was the last Commander of the post ever elected and holds that position at the present time. Mr. Laybourn enjoys good health for a man of his age, and it is the wish of his friends that he may live to enjoy many more years of life.

Last updated on January 14, 2008.

Go to Benjamin Laybourn, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.

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