| Thomas S. Walterhouse |
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Major Thomas S Walterhouse Dies Suddenly At His Home West Of The City. It is with feelings of unfeigned sorrow that we record the death of Majot Thomas S Walterhouse, which took place at his residence one mile west of the city at three o'clock this morning. But few persons were aware of his sickness and the sad intelligence of his death will be a surprise to all who knew him. The Major had not been in the enjoyment of good health for some time past but had been able to attend to business until within the last two or three weeks, since which time he has been continued to his house with rheumatism. Yesterday he told a friend who had called to see him, the he felt so much better and thought he would speedily recover. Last night, however, his affliction assumed a more violent form and at three o'clock this morning his suffer- ings were relieved by death. It is thought the immediate cause of his death was rhumatism of the heart. We find in Kingman's history of Delaware County the following sketch of the life of Major Walterhouse: Major Thomas S Walterhouse, a prominent attorney of Muncie and a gallant officer during the war of the rebel- lion, was born Sept 6, 1832, in Genesee County, N Y. * * * In the spring of 1855 he removed to West Liberty, Ohio, where in partnership with William Nichols, he opened a jewelry store. In the following May, with a number of citizens of West Liberty, he emigrated to Montezuma, Powesheik County, Iowa. Here he again engaged in the jewelry trade, but finding the business unsatisfactory, he sold his stock and entered the law office of Reuben Michle Esq, to complete a course of reading, and prepare himself for the practice of the profession which from boyhood had been his choice. He was admitted to practice in the Powesheik District Court on the 26th day of November 1857. In Oct 1859, on account of his wife's failing health, he removed to Muncie, Ind, where in the spring of 1860 he formed a partnership with David Nation, a prominent lawyer of Delaware County. * * * Early in the war of the rebellion he abandoned his practice to take part in he victories or defeats of his comrades and old-time neighbors, in their efforts to prevent secession and quell an eternal stain upon our fair name as a Nation. On the 17th day of July, 1862, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant to recruit a company for the 60th Regiment Indiana Volunteers, which regiment was then about to be organized by Col. W. A. Bickle. He was a valuable and successful recruiting officer, and in response to his earnest pleading, the muster-roll of the 69th received many a name and many valuable additions to its ranks. By the unanimous choice of the members of Company B of this regiment, he became Captain of the Company, and was commissioned as such on the 8th of August 1862. On the 19th day of the same month he was commissioned Major of the regiment by Gov Morton, and mustered into service in this capacity. At the unfortunate battle of Richmond, Ky, on the 30th of August, 1862, he was shot in the left hip and at nearly the same time Col Korff and Lieut Col Stout were also seriously wounded. The command of the regiment then devolved on the Major, and in spite of the pain caused by his bleeding would he remained in his saddle giving orders and encouraging his men. * * * He was forced to resign on account of physical disability and was honorably discharged on the 15th of February 1863. While at Montezuma, Iowa, he became acquainted with Miss Zerelda B Kemper, sister of Dr G W H Kemper, of Muncie. Friendship ripened into love, and on the 12th day of April 1857, they were united in marriage. * * * * In 1868 a great sorrow came over his home, until then the abode of joy and happiness. His wife was taken from him by death, and three children - John T, Charles R and Sarah Zerelda - were left to mourn her loss and comfort her husband in his gried. In Sept 1869 he was wedded to Miss Sarah M Kemper, his present companion and the sister of his first wife. Major Walterhouse was a member of the Baptist Church of this city and has long been connected with the Masonic Fraternity, being a member of the Delaware Lodge (illegible) Chapter, Muncie Council and a charter member of the Muncie Commandary No 18 Knights Templar. His funeral will be held at his residence to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Revs. N B Raridan and F T Simpson will conduct the religious exercises at the house. The Knight Templar will have charge of the remains and the burial will be conducted by them with the beautiful and impressive cememonies of the order at Beech Grove Cemetery. [Additional coverage the following day]. |