05/25/2026
MEMORIAL DAY 2026
250th Anniversary of the United States
Louis F. Pelletter.
Silver Creek Village Historian
May 24, 2026
As we celebrate Memorial Day during the 250th anniversary of our country, I thought I would combine excerpts from my past Memorial Day Posts to honor those that served, and those that died in the service of our country.
The Town of Hanover was not in existence during the Revolutionary War, however, these veterans for the most part settled our community.
There will be a self-guided tour of our cemeteries as part of our 250th Anniversary celebration. Here are some of our Revolutionary War Veterans that you will find as you walk through some of our older cemeteries.
Frederick Ward Kates wrote a book called, Patriot-Soldiers of 1775-1783, The Veterans of the War for American Independence of Chautauqua County, New York, Published by the Jamestown Chapter National Society, Daughter of the American Revolution 1981. This book details their stories. On page 27 he lists the soldiers buried in the Town of Hanover Cemeteries:
“Ball Town Cemetery
Ebenezer Cross
William Kirkland
Doty Cemetery
Jesse Clothier
Shibnah Spink Jr.
Evergreen Lawn Cemetery-Hanover Center
Amos Ingraham
William Ingraham
Thomas Nevins
Glenwood Cemetery-Silver Creek
John Darling
John Johnson
Nashville Cemetery
Thomas Frink
Silas Nash
Pioneer Cemetery-Forestville
Reuben Barnes
Abner Cooley
John Ferry
Susannah (Munn)Ferry
Robert Love
Christopher McManus
John Mixer
Robert Pattison
Isacc Van Camp
Jeremiah Wright
Rathbun Cemetery
Solomon Rathbun
Smith Mills Cemetery
Asa Gage”
WAR OF 1812
In the manuscript of the Town of Hanover War Dead, FOR YOUR TOMORROW WE GAVE OUR TODAY, compiled by Frederick Ward Kates Sept 1986, was published by Town Historian, Vincent Martonis in 1987. He researched the six veterans killed during the War of 1812. They are BOVEE (John Bovee), AARON NASH, NATHANIEL BOWEN, ISAAC SMITHS, HUBBARD (James Hibbard), WINSOR (John W. Winsor or John W. Windsor). As you can see there is some confusion with the spelling of their names as they were handed down from the past.
Mr. Bovee, Aaron Nash and Hubbard (James Hibbard) were killed in the retreat from the Battle of Black Rock. Nathaniel Bowen was killed in the Battle of Buffalo. Mr. Winsor was killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights in Canada and Isaac Smith died of disease.
Since there is not much information taught about the War of 1812, even though it greatly affected the Town of Hanover, and New York State. Given that, I will give you a brief and simplified account of how these men died.
(JOHN) BOVEE, AARON NASH , NATHANIEL BOWEN, and HUBBARD (JAMES HIBBARD): In 1813 the American Forces occupied Fort George in the Village of Newark (Niagara on the Lake) Canada. The Americans decided to abandon the fort in December of that year, and to destroy the Village of Newark, even though it did not have any military value. The Americans ordered the residents of this village out of their homes during this cold December day and they burned the village to the ground. Many residents died of exposure since all their homes and any shelters were destroyed. When the British Army arrived in Newark and saw what the Americans had done, they decided to burn the communities along the Niagara River.
The British then captured Fort Niagara. They continued their march towards Black Rock/Buffalo, burning Western New York communities in the process. The American Army was not able to stop this advance at Black Rock. The Chautauqua Militia was marching to this battle as the American Army retreated. The Chautauqua Militia was overwhelmed by the British force, broke and ran. The road was cut off so they were forced to retreat into the forest. The Chautauqua Regiment and other units of the army continued their retreat and flight in the woods, where many were killed. The Village of Buffalo was then burned by the British leaving only 5 building standing.
ISAAC SMITH is listed in this manuscript as having died from disease, having contracted fever. However, in Frederick Ward Kates booklet THE WAR OF 1812 SOLDIERS OF THE TOWN OF HANOVER, CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, NEW YORK 1984, it states he was able to make it back home and died there. There were no cemeteries at the time so it was assumed he was buried on his own land.
Rodney B. Smith Jr., son of Rodney B. Smith, served during the Civil War and was a Lieutenant, in Co H, 100 Regt, N.Y. Vol. Inf. He contracted malaria. In the Town of Hanover War dead it states, “Lieut. Smith, sick with fever, was sent to Savage Station, and in the retreat from the Bottom’s Bridge, and the ex*****on of that order of General McClellan’s that all ambulances should leave empty, and that all the sick that could walk should make their way to the James River, it is supposed that he, with others, had started, lost their way, and died from exposure, or some other cause, as he was never heard of after the movement began.” The location of his grave is unknown.
WINSOR (JOHN W. WINSOR, or JOHN W. WINDSOR) was killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights: The 18th NY Detachment Militia, our Chautauqua Militia was part of this detachment.
CIVIL WAR
In an Evening Observer Article written by Frederick Ward Kates on May 28, 1983, titled, “Hanover’s Civil War Dead, a historical glimpse for Memorial Day”.
In his article he wrote about the following four young soldiers.
“The youngest of Hanover’s soldiers to die in military service during the Civil War, or any of the nation’s wars so far as has yet been ascertain, was John Green. He enlisted in Co. D, 9th Regt, N.Y. Vol. Cav. at age 16 years, 6 months. He died of disease at Lovettsville, Va., Jan. 25, 1865, after 134 days of life as a soldier.” He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Hanover Center.
“Deria D. Rolf (Rolph), who enlisted as a private in the 154th N.Y. Vol. Inf. at age 16 years in 1862 and was killed in action at Stafford Court House, Va., April 7, 1863.”
“Malcolm W. Gage, who enlisted in Co. C, 112th Regt, N.Y. Vol. Inf. July 28, 1862 at age 17 years and died of typhoid fever at camp at Suffolk, Va., Dec 14, 1862.”
“James Haley of Co. K. 9th N.Y. Vol. Cav., who died of disease at Lovettsville, Va., Feb. 7, 1865 at age 17 years, 10 months. On the headstone at the grave of James Haley in Maple Grove (also called Christy or Log Village) Cemetery, Town of Hanover, is inscribed: I left my home at the North, My Country to save. I have done my duty, And fill a Soldier’s Grave.”
Mr. Kates list for the Civil War continues
"44th Regt. NY Vol. Inf.- George W. Sanders (Saunders)
49th Regt. NY Vol. Inf., Company I
Joseph Allen Alva Hunting (Cherry Creek)
Nathan F. Alverson Lafayette Hunting (Cherry Creek)
Charles N. Boorn William Klein
James E. Counradt George Little
Rasselas Dickinson Charles Re*****on
Edwin A. Graves Franklin Re*****on
John Grisley Benedict Rich
Erastus D. Holt
49th Regt. NY Vol. Inf., Company K – Orton Turner (Ellicott)
64th Regt. NY Vol. Inf. – George Johnson Co H
John Johnson, Co K
68th Regt. NY State National Guard-Charles Lee O’Donaghey, Co F
72nd Regt. NY Vol. Inf. – Ralph R. Doty
Charles H. Miller
90th Regt. NY Vol. Inf. – Marvin Hartman
100th Regt. NY Vol. Inf.
Co C – John Heintzmann (Klinzman)
Frederick Luckmann
Co G – Barney (Barry) McDermott
Co H – Alonzo Huton James Lanphere
Jacob Dailey Samuel M. Patterson, Jr.
Charles Fone Titus Pomeroy
Jacob Harder Rodney B. Smith, Jr.
Frederick Harnes
104th Regt. NY Vol. Inf. – Truman Harrington
111th Regt. NY Vol. Inf. – Franklin J. Niles
112th Regt. NY Vol. Inf., Co C –
Charles H. Barhite David Mills
Sumner Boss Henry H. Pierce
Walter A. Counradt (Coonrod) J. Munroe Potter
David S. Crowell Lewis Scofield
Thomas W. Frink Frederick B. Scott
Malcolm W. Gage John Smith
Franklin Harrington James Stafford
Ira A. Knowlton (Jamestown) Darius D. Van Vliet
Henry Mann James G. Walrod
Philip McEvoy George Abell Watson
Samuel S. McKee Albert A. Weaver
Barton Merritt John Reese Wickham
112th Regt. NY Vol. Inf., Co G – Charles W. Lawrence
112th Regt. NY Vol. Inf., Co I – Henry J. Sweet (Stockton)
112th Regt. NY Vol. Inf., Co K
Alfred F. Barber John Guiles (Gayles)
Daniel Adelbert Blanding Franklin W. Harris
Theodore Burr Henry Hull
Risley Cole Smith Peacock
Warham S. Foote Albert H. Stone
Nelson Gage, Jr. Loren White
Edwin T. Goodwin William Wilson
114th Regt. NY Vol. Inf. – Albert J. Holmes
146th Regt. NY Vol. Inf. – Adelbert L. Parish
154th Regt. NY Vol. Inf. – Deria D. Rolf (Rolph)
Byron A. Wiggins (Arkwright)
186th Regt. NY Vol. Inf. – Franklin J. Holmes
1st NY Sharpshooters, Co. #8 – Robert Bertram
9th Regt. NY Vol. Cavalry
Co. A - Edgar W. Potter
Co. D - H. (Henry) Clay Burch
John Green
Flavius J. Rathbone
Co. F - Benoni Freeman
Co. H - William Rolph
Co. K - James Haley
22nd Regt. NY Vol. Cav., Co. K – Martin (or Louis) Fairchild
13th US Artillery – Varnum (Vernon) Archibald
14th Heavy Artillery – Rosell Dewell
33rd Battery, US Artillery – Benjamin T. Weller
112th Regt. Illinois Vol. Inf. – Cyrus B. Lord
130th Regt. Illinois Vol. Inf. – Charles Beverly
20th Regt. New Jersey Vol. Cav., Co. A – Ebenezer P. Downer
12th Regt. Pa. Vol. Inf., Co. B – William Smith
98th Regt. Pa. Vol. Inf., Co. H – Edward P. McKee
111th Regt. Pa. Vol. Inf. – Phineas P. Burnham
John S. Cochrane
Daniel Scofield
Soldiers Regarding Whom Full Military Information Is Lacking
Michael Farley Thaddeus Gates
Delos Gurnsey Jack McMarrow
Noah Jones"
World War I
WORLD WAR I- The beginning statement of the World War I anti-war book and movies:
“ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT”
by Erich Maria Remarque
1929
“This book is to be neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure, for death is not an adventure to those who stand face to face with it. It will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped shells, were destroyed by the war.”
The following is a continuation of the list compiled by Fredrick Ward Kates in his book “FOR YOUR TOMORROW WE GAVE OUR TODAY”.
LAWRENCE TENNANT BALLARD—Killed in France during WWI on Oct. 1, 1918. His body was shipped home from France to New York and was accompanied by his boyhood friend E.S. Hunter, who enlisted with him, served in the same outfit, and was by his side when he was struck by enemy fire.
JOHN VERDI-Called to service April 1, 1918. he was sent to Camp Dix and sailed for France in May. He belonged to Company E, 309th infantry. His father, John Verdi, received word that he died Nov. 6, 1918 from wounds received in action
HARRY MILLER: Killed in the Battle of Champaign, France on October 3, 1918
DON MARTIN: War Correspondent for the New York Herald died during the Chateau Thierry campaign from the Flu-pneumonia.
LELAND F. URCKFITZ-Died of disease.
NORMAN VEITH-Killed in Action July 19, 1918
HENERY SILAS TITUS-Died of disease in France
GERALD G. BROWN-1st resident from Forestville to die in World War 1
J(JAMES) CARTER KNAPP-Killed in Action October 24, 1918
HOLMES VAN RENSSELAER-Killed in action-France
ALBERT BURGUN (Bergen)
EGAN KUJAWA
WORLD WAR II
“Hanover Men Who Died On Land, At Sea, Or In The Air, And Who Are Not Buried In Town Of Hanover Cemeteries
Homer Adsitt Manley John Merrill
Samuel Joseph Ark Robert C. Mondo
Samuel Joseph Cimino William Carter Montgomery
Salvatore Cuccia Howard E. Nordblum
Wallace C. Gould John J. Notto
Marvin Grantier Edward S. Robinson
Louis J. Griewisch Robert Ward
Erwin Kramer Ralph L. Watkins
Douglas Lock Roger Herman Wolfe
Charles Meadows
Hanover Men Buried In Town Cemeteries
Donald Alvin Newton Lester P. Seibert, Jr.
Francis P. Grisanti Daniel F. Shaw
Paul E. Heenan Vernon Ellsworth Stearns
Raymond Martin Koch Samuel A. Genco
Carl Ludwig Kuell, Jr. Walter J. Majkowski
Louis McGowan George E. Reynolds, Jr.
Hanover Men Buried In Nearby Cemeteries
Edward S. Parr William Jacobs
Edward Weimer, Jr. Harlan C. Laye
Gilbert Oscar Seegert Leland Laye
Phillip Perkins Edward C. Schrader
Jeremiah Joseph Sullivan, Jr. George M. Press
KOREA
Robert J. Goodwin * Horace M. Bifaro, Jr.
VIETNAM
Thomas E. Lawton *Norbert H. Zepp, Jr.
*Gregory K. Johnson *William Eugene Hallmark
Thomas R. Connell David Lynn Ferry
John P. Cornwell Larry Earl Smith
Charles Herbert Voss
Vietnam & Regular Army Afterwards
Richard R. Stanbro”
List Compiled by Frederick Ward Kates
117 Main Street, Silver Creek, NY
October 1985
Photo 1-Washington’s Dream Lithograph-Revolutionary War
Photo 2-Relutionary War Marker- Hanover Boat Launch-Sunset Bay
Photo 3- Silver Creek-Town of Hanover Civil War Veterans-Memorial Day 1895
Photo 4-Frank Taylor-Wounded in Action World War I
Photo 5-World War II- They Gave their lives-Observer 1945
Photo 6-World War II- Original Roll of Honor 1940’s Village Park
Photo 7-World War II- 1st Casualty Samuel Cimino
Photo 8-Lakeshore News and Times-June 21. 1951-Willis Lebarron killed in action in Korea. Walter Robinson receives Purple Heart for being wounded in Korea.
Photo 9-Photo/Poster of Chautauqua County Viet Nam War Dead. On the wall in the County Office Building
Photo 10- Gulf War Veterans 1991
Photo 11- Gulf War Veterans 1991-close up
Photo-12-Wall of Honor-VFW Wall 2005
