Frank Finkel Is Taken By Death
Long Time Resident of County-Veteran of Indian Wars.
Frank Finkel, a highly esteemed
pioneer resident of Columbia county,
passed away at his home in this
city Thursday, August 28, at the
age of 76 years. Death followed an
illness of many weeks.
The funeral was held Saturday
afternoon from the Hubbard-Rogg
chapel, the service being conducted
by the Rev. W. C. Gilmore, pastor
of the Congregational church. The
services at the cemetery were in
charge of the Odd Fellows lodge, of
which Mr. Finkle had been a member for many years.
Mr. Finkel was born in Germany
January 29, 1854, and came to this
country when a boy. He enlisted in
the army before he was 21 years of
age and is believed to have been the
only survivor of the Custer massacre,
his story of that memorable fight,
and of his experiences following,
being of thrilling interest. A few
years later he came out west and
established a home in Columbia
county, where he was engaged in
farming for some years, retiring
several years ago from active work.
Mr. Finkel is survived by his
widow, one daughter, Mrs. Milton
Koch of this city and two sons, Ben,
a resident of Idaho, and Elmer of
Milton, Oregon.
The Chronicle-Dispatch has at
hand an interesting statement of
his experiences in connection with
and following the Custer massacre,
which will be published in next
week's paper.