OSCAR A. PHINNEY -- 2nd VETERAN CAVALRYELIZABETHTOWN POST -- February 7, 1901 - Oscar A. Phinney, died at hisBrainard's Forge home in the Town of Westport at 4 o\'clock on theafternoon of January 30th at 59 years old. He was born in Stowerville,in the Town of Lewis, April 17, 1842. He enlisted in Plattsburgh toserve as a soldier in the ranks of the Union army. It was in the monthof July, 1863, that be joined the 2nd Veteran Cavalry, having forcomrades such men as Albert A. Boynton, Ed. Longware, Lawrence Redmond,Henry Hutchins, Thomas Jefferson Cross and Richard Cross, who stillsurvive and are well known Elizabethtown and Lewis. The regiment went toLouisiana and there remained during the autumn of 1864 and winter of1865. In fact, most of the winter of \'64 and '65 was passed at MorganzaBend, in camp watching for the enemy, waiting for orders, etc.After the close of the war Oscar came home to his native county. Hepurchased a farm in the Brainard\'s Forge section, also went intospeculation to quite an extent. He was a large, robust man and presenteda fine figure on horseback, as those who have seen him acting as Marshalat the Essex County Fair in Westport will readily recall. He served asHighway Commissioner of the Town of Westport back in the 80s. InNovember 1888, he was elected Sheriff of Essex County and tookpossession of the office Jan. 1, 1889, serving to Jan. 1, 1892.He took a prominent part in getting a Grand Army post established. Hisname stands at the head of the Charter Members of S. C. Dwyer Post andhe was elected and installed its first Commander, in December. 1884.From that time to the day of his death he took a great-interest in GrandArmy matters, being regular in attending meetings and liberal in hisfinancial support. At the time of the Centennial Celebration ofWashington\'s inauguration Oscar A. Phinney and Daniel S. French,present Supervisor of Lewis, went to New York City to represent the Postand took a creditable part in the military parade up Fifth Avenue April30, 1889.After his retirement from the office of Sheriff, Oscar fixed over hisfarm buildings, introducing many modern improvements. At that home heloved so well he delighted to entertain his friends, especially his oldcomrades. He bought the sawmill at Brainard\'s Forge and stocked it withlogs, most of which were cut on lots he owned. A few years since hishealth began to break down and his once giant form gradually wastedaway.Funeral services were held at his late home Saturday afternoon at 1o\'clock, being largely attended, there being over 100 teams assembled.Rev. D. H. Corkran, Methodist, of Westport officiated at the house. Thefuneral was a G. A. R. one and the services at the grave in theRiverside Cemetery at Wadhams Mills were conducted by S. C. Dwyer Post.Deceased is survived by one brother. George Phinney, and one sister,Mrs. Oscar Wheelock, both of Moriah. His widow, formerly Frances Prouty,and four married sons---Scott E., who lived with his father. Earl, wholives on the Philetus Merriam farm. Herbert, who lives on the Lewis farmand Rupert, who lives on the Cleland farm.
