March Madness Post, The Final Four, Plus One

An astounding five Civil War veterans from Russell County lived until 1941 or 1942. Imagine having lived through the bloodiest conflict in United States history, only to see the country at war again, and again, and again. Here are quick biographies of the remaining five soldiers.

Haskew Ball
b. 8/28/1844 d. 4/26/1942

Haskew Ball was the son of John W. and Rebecca Ball. He left his job as a school teacher and cabinet maker to join the Confederate Army. On his pension application from 1910, he claims service in Company B of the 22nd Virginia Cavalry. No war time record of his service exists, but it is very likely that he did serve.

He married Cynthia Hurt in 1868 and had seven children, four of whom survived him.

John Patton Wilson

b. 10/24/1844 d. 3/2/1942

John Wilson was the son of Abner and Jane Wilson. He also served in the 22nd Virginia Cavalry, in Company D. Prior to joining he 22nd, he served in the 2nd Virginia State Line. He moved to Washington County in 1904. On his 96th birthday he was presented with a handsome silver mounted cane by the local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

He was married twice and was survived by five daughters and three sons.

Henry Nathan Thacker Meade
b. 9/27/1841 d. 1/11/1941

Henry Meade was the son of Richard L. and Loutitia Meade.

In his 1932 pension application, he claimed service in the 1st Virginia Infantry, which is unlikely. A war time Compiled Service Record exists for him in the 6th Battalion Virginia Reserves. On his application, he states he was only in the army for a short while, when he injured himself carrying a load of wood. As a result of the injury, part of his leg bone was removed. In a 1938 news article, written when he was buying a car at the age of 97, he claims to have been shot in the leg.

He had 15 children and over 160 descendants when he died, just short of 100 years old.



James H. Gray

b. 9/9/1849 d. 4/1/1942

James H. Gray was the son of Harvey and Nancy Gray. He may have served in the 37th Virginia Infantry prior to enlisting in the 22nd Virginia Cavalry. However, he would have been extremely young. In his pension application he states he enlisted in the 22nd Virginia Cavalry in February of 1864. War time records agree.

He was married three times before his death in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Calvin Jones
 b. 1846 d. 9/8/1941

Calvin Jones was born in Wythe County to John A. and Lucinda Jones. He enlisted in the 29th Virginia Infantry in 1862 and served until the surrender at Appomattox.

Post war he moved to Kentucky where he resided until his death in 1941. He was survived by his wife and two sons.