Thomas Kesiah died at the home of his niece, Mrs. J.C. Coddington on Prospect Street at 12:35 o'clock Wednesday morning, February 5, of general disability, aged seventy-five years, five months and two days. Mr. Kesiah belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic, having fought in the war of 1863. Deceased was born at St. Frances, Canada, and for many years conducted a store in Paterson, N.J. His health failing, he retired from business and went west, but the climate there not agreeing with him, he returned to the East and made his home with his niece, Mrs. Coddington. The Funeral services will be held at two o'clock on Friday afternoon, Rev. George Dumbell of Grace Episcopal Church, officiating. The internment will be in Monroe Cemetery, under the direction of Mr. Merritt, funeral director.
Mr. Thomas Kesiah, the Indian survivor of his generation, of Benekee [sic Abenaki -NL] tribe of Canada, has passed to his long home. A soldier and pensioner of the war of the rebellion, his Grand Army badge and flag draped casket bore testimony to his faithful Americanism. His romantic life in camp at many places in this state; as a traveler on the Mississippi River, an expert weaver of Indian baskets at many summer resorts (Saranac Lake, Saratoga Springs, Glen falls, Catskill Mountains and Greenwood Lake and other places) made for him a life rich in remembrances. Perhaps the climax of romance was reached when his wife, Margaret Kesiah, dressed in mens clothes, stealthfully accompanied him to the front, in the war of the rebellion, where, after discovery of the ruse, she remained and assisted in nursing sick and wounded soldiers. He understood and used the Indian dialect fluently when conversing with Mrs. Kesiah. He was fond of music, a good singer, most kindly and sympathetic and gentle in his home. He will be long remembered and cherished by those so fortunate as to have known him intimately. He made his home for some time past with Joseph Coddington of Monroe, N.Y., whose wife was a grand niece and a daughter of his niece, Mrs. David Ball of Greenwood Lake, N.Y., who with her children Thomas, Fred, George, Harold, Minnetta and Emmett are his surviving relatives.
Contributed by: Kevin M. Wolfe, Jul-1999 (Wolfekev@aol.com)
