Four Civil War Veterans Buried In Downers Grove Get New Grave Markers
(CBS) -- The gravestones of some Civil War veterans have been neglected for decades - but now those graves in Downers Grove are getting new markers.
The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, a lineage society centered in the western and southwestern suburbs, has managed to get the federal government to pay for new markers for four Civil War veterans: replacing damaged markers or providing a marker for an unmarked grave.
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David Bailey, past department commander of the Illinois Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, says the government requires descendants to sign off on a new marker.
"Actually one of the more time consuming things we have is actually doing the research and finding descendants of some of these veterans, because it's over 150 years ago when they served," Bailey said.
One of the four veterans getting a new marker is Judson Farrar.
"He's very interesting because he served in the 8th Illinois Cavalry," said Lois Sterba is president of the Oak Hill/Oak Crest Cemeteries Foundation. "And he died June 18, 1863, of wounds suffered in the largest cavalry battle of the Civil War."
Three of the four markers will be dedicated at a ceremony on September 19.
