IRONTON’S ONLY NEGRO
VETERAN DIED TUESDAY
Born In Virginia and Had Passed 84th Birthday
James Finley, only surviving Negro Civil War
veteran in Lawrence county, died Tuesday afternoon at his home at 1105
South Tenth street after an extended illness. He had been ailing for
some time but was not taken seriously ill until last Thursday.
Mr. Finley was born in Virginia and would have been 85
years old next August 11th. He moved to Lawrence county with his
family at the age of 4 years, locating at Vesuvius Furnace. He
enlisted with the 27th Negro Infantry at the outbreak of the Civil War
at the age of 19 years and served until peace came, when he returned
to Ironton. He was employed at Toledo for some time, but then returned
to Ironton and for 20 years was an employee at the old Dupuy tannery.
His wife preceded him in death 33 years, but he is survived by three
children, Joseph and Clarence of Cleveland and Mrs. Susie Gordon of
Ironton. A daughter-in-law, Mrs. Carrie Finley of Pittsburgh will
arrive Thursday to attend last rites, which will probably be held
Friday.
Mr. Finley was a member of the G. A. R. and attended
reunions of that organization until his health started failing. He was
a member of Quinn Chapel for 60 years and for 43 years resided at
Ninth and Maple streets.
Funeral arrangements are in charge of Gholson and Sons
and will be announced later.
Ironton Evening Tribune, 7 May 1930, Wednesday, Page
10.
FINLEY
Funeral services for James Finley, negro Civil
War veteran, will be held at Quinn Chapel Sunday afternoon at 2:30
o’clock. Burial will be made in Woodland cemetery under direction of
Gholson and Sons. Rev. Anderson will have charge of the rites, with
Rev. Merritt and Rev. Freeman assisting. Members of Dick Lambert Post,
G. A. R. will attend in a body.
Ironton Tribune, 9 May 1930, Friday, Page 9.
