The Last Soldier Project: Barron County
Ancel W. Goolsbey

Ancel W. Goolsbey (also spelled Ansel Goolsbeg) died Tuesday, November 13, 1947 at the age of 100. He was the GAR's last Wisconsin Department Vice Commander. Due to ill health, he last attended a National GAR Encampment in 1941.

Goolsbey was a native of Ohio, who also resided in Indiana and Minnesota. Orphaned at an early age, he enlisted at age 17 as a private in Co. C of the 7th Minnesota Regiment, serving in Louisiana and Alabama. He mustered out on 16 August 1865 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. In 1897, Goolsbey settled on a farm west of Chetek and engaged in farming until 1914. He was an ardent gardener and fisherman until he was well past 90. He was commander of Chetek's Albert Wetherbe GAR Post #128 until it was disbanded in 1924. He was survived by six children, 19 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren.


Researched by PC-in-C Steve Michaels



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Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Department of Wisconsin

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