JEFFERSON COUNTY NEW YORK CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS' BIOGRAPHIES

Alpheus Wakefield

Union Soldier - Distinguished Service

Alpheus Wakefield, was born September 9, 1828, the son of Simon Wakefield and Mittie Howard, was reared upon a farm in Adams and learned the wagonmakers' trade. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in Co. M, 20th New York Cavalry, and served to the close of the war. He married, first, Ann Eliza, daughter of Benjamin Bliss, in 1855, by whom he had a son, Bliss C., born in 1856. For his second wife he married Clara Eliza, daughter of George and Adaline (Rogers) Whiting, in 1877. Mr. Wakefield was a millwright. He died in Becket, Mass., on September 25, 1925 at the age of 100 years and 16 days, and was buried in Smithville, NY.

OSWEGO DAILY PALLADIUM, Saturday, February 17, 1923
Another Son of Veteran of War of 1812 Found.
To the Editor of the Palladium:
Sir-
I saw an account in the Pulaski Democrat of your article in regard to sons of veterans of the War of 1812. Living with me is Alpheus Wakefield, ninety-seven last September, who was the son of Simon Wakefield, of Jefferson county, who was a soldier in the War of 1812.
respectfully,
MRS. MAY H. MOORE.
Bancroft, Mass., Feb. 16th, 1923.

Jefferson County Journal, Wednesday, September 30, 1925:
WAKEFIELD: In Becket, Mass., Alpheus Wakefield, formerly of Smithville, N. Y., aged 100 years, 16 days. Burial in Smithville.

Jefferson County Journal, Wednesday, October 14, 1925 LAKE SHORE October 7, Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Hazlewood, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Hazlewood and Mrs. Naomi Hazlewood attended the funeral of their uncle, Alpherius Wakefield, who died in Massachusetts Sept. 25, aged 100 years and 16 days.

His remains were brought to Smithville, his former home, and funeral services were held at the Baptist church in that village Tuesday morning, Sept. 28. Interment was made in the Smithville cemetery. Mr. Wakefield had been in excellent health up until one week previous to his death, and on his 100th birthday which occurred Sept. 9th, he received 97 cards and letters from friends and relatives, besides numerous other presents. He was a war veteran of the '60's and was receiving a pension of $70 a month at the time of his death. He was always a very active man and prided himself on the distance he could walk at his age, often declaring he could do as good a day's work as he ever could if his sight were better. This was his only infirmity, but he could distinguish objects and people he was accustomed to seeing. Years ago he was a wagon maker in Smithville, where he resided with his wife and one son. His wife passed away many years ago and the son died at his home in Richland about six years ago, so his nearest surviving relatives were nieces and nephews, the nearest being Mrs. Naomi Hazlewood, Mrs. Emma McClen of this vicinity, Mrs. Etta Trowbridge of Adams and William VanWinckle of Utica. The many beautiful floral pieces presented by the Smithville people as well as the profusion of flowers accompanying the body from Massachusetts, spoke well of the esteem in which he was held.

Sources:
Hamilton Child's Gazetteer of Jefferson County, N.Y., published in 1890, TOWN OF ADAMS
Jefferson County NYGenWeb, US Civil War Service Records, "Electronic," for Alpheus Wakefield
Newspaper - Jefferson County Journal - Wednesday, September 30, 1925
Newspaper - Jefferson County Journal - Wednesday, October 14, 1925
Newspaper - OSWEGO DAILY PALLADIUM, Saturday, February 17, 1923

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http://jefferson.nygenweb.net/cwbwakefield.htm updated March 7, 2009