Owen Thomas Edgar (June 17, 1831 – September 3, 1929) was, according to data from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the longest surviving U.S. veteran of the Mexican–American War.[1][2][3]
Owen Thomas Edgar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | June 17, 1831 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US |
| Died | September 3, 1929 (aged 98) Washington, D.C., US |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1846–1849 |
| Rank | Apprentice First Class |
| Unit | USS Potomac USS Allegheny USS Pennsylvania USS Experience |
| Battles / wars | Mexican–American War |
Biography
editHe was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the United States Navy as a 2nd-class apprentice on February 10, 1846, and was discharged as an Apprentice First Class on August 8, 1849. Edgar saw service on the frigates Potomac, Allegheny, Pennsylvania and Experience.[4]
After the war, he worked at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for twenty-one years, then worked at a bank for another thirty-one years. He spent his final ten years living at the John Dickson Home in Washington, D.C.[5]
He became the last surviving American veteran of the Mexican-American War on June 17, 1929 when fellow war veteran William Buckner died at the age of 101 in Paris, Missouri.[6][7]
Death and interment
editEdgar died September 3, 1929, at the age of 98 after suffering a fall from a chair that fractured his leg, and was buried in Washington's Congressional Cemetery.[8]
Gallery
edit-
Headstone of Owen Thomas Edgar, Congressional Cemetery
References
edit- ^ "Edgar, Owen Thomas," in "Deaths." Washington, D.C.: The Evening Star, p. 9 (subscription required).
- ^ "Lone Mexican Vet Is 98: Owen Edgar Finds on Birthday That He Is Last Survivor." Spokane, Washington: The Spokesman Review, June 18, 1929, p. 12 (subscription required).
- ^ O'Hare, Herb. "Thomas Owen Edgar, 98, Now Last Mexican War Survivor, Hale, Hearty, Enjoys Honor." Brooklyn, New York: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 23, 1929, p. 30 (subscription required).
- ^ O'Hare, "Thomas Owen Edgar, 98, Now Last Mexican War Survivor, Hale, Hearty, Enjoys Honor," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 23, 1929, p. 30.
- ^ O'Hare, "Thomas Owen Edgar, 98, Now Last Mexican War Survivor, Hale, Hearty, Enjoys Honor," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 23, 1929, p. 30.
- ^ "Lone Mexican Vet Is 98: Owen Edgar Finds on Birthday That He Is Last Survivor," The Spokesman Review, June 18, 1929, p. 12.
- ^ O'Hare, "Thomas Owen Edgar, 98, Now Last Mexican War Survivor, Hale, Hearty, Enjoys Honor," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 23, 1929, p. 30.
- ^ "Edgar, Owen Thomas," in "Deaths," The Evening Star, p. 9.