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Conrad L. Roell

Faribault High School

Company B, 2nd Regiment Minnesota National Guard 1893-1898

Company B, 12th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps 1898

Unknown

Narrative

This is the obituary of Conrad that was in the Faribault papers. Conrad was one of four members of Company B, 12th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment that died from typhoid fever.

MUSTERED OUT

Sergeant Conrad Lawrence Roell of Co. B 12th Minn. Vol. Inf. the first Faribault boy to die as the result of sickness contracted at Chickamauga was buried Wednesday afternoon. Sergeant Roell was ill for a time at Camp Thomas but was well enough to move with the regiment and at Lexington fell victim to typhoid fever. His condition was so alarming that his brother George went south a week ago to care for him.

A letter received Sunday morning announced a slight improvement in the invalid’s condition, but in the afternoon a telegram came stating simply that “Conrad died last night”. The body was brought north, reaching Faribault Tuesday morning, and met at the station by delegations from the Foresters and Fireman’s Relief Associations, of which the deceased was a member. After the casket had been draped with a large national flag it was placed in the hearse and carried to the home of the parents, Mr. And Mrs. Christ. Roell on Maple Street.

Requiem Mass was held at the Church of St. Lawrence at ten o’clock Wednesday morning by Fathers Elshorst and Monge, with Minn O’Neil at the organ. Father Elshorst delivered the address speaking freely of the patriotism of the deceased in answering his country’s call, and saying that in all the relations of his life, as a son, a brother, a citizen, a man, a soldier and a Christian he had never failed in their performance.

The internment took place at the German Catholic Cemetery, wither the remains were escorted by Michael Cook Post G.A.R., the Fireman’s Relief association, Foresters, city council, and hundreds of sorrowing friends. The pallbearers were Messrs. E.J. Healy Jr., Napoleon Pkouf, Timothy Varley, Albert Ochs, John Bieter and William Cook.

There was also a military guard of honor under command of Capt. H.F. Klemer, the squad consisting of Sgt. Thompson of the 1st Ill. Cav., Sgt Milligan, Privates Peasley, Wright, Wall, Liebrandt and Norton of Co. B 12th Minn. Vol. Inf. Who were home on sick leave. After church services the squad fired three volleys over the grave of their dead comrade, and W. H. Holden of Michael Cook Post sounded “Taps”, the plaintive bugle notes waking tender thoughts in all who heard them.

Conrad Lawrence Roell was born in Faribault on July 12 1875. He was educated in the public schools and afterwards learned the cigarmaker’s trade. He was for a number of years a member of the fire department, and served as a member of Co. B Minn. Natl. Guard for five years previous to enlisting in the volunteer company last April. He was a quite, unassuming young man, and well liked by all who knew him. The number of his friends was in a measure attested by the wealth of floral offerings heaped about the casket. Among the larger designs were the following; Cloak for casket from the public school children, and Gates Ajar from their teachers; pillow marked “Brother” and anchor marked “Our Son” from the family; a large wreath from the Foresters; a cross , the Fireman’s Relief Assn.; harp – the St. Lawrence Dramatic Club; anchor Miss Anne Gohlike; large bunches of roses from the Soldiers Relief Society and the Misses Littel and dozen of clusters of fragrant blossoms from other friends and acquaintances.