Eliphlet James Stonebraker was born in Mt. Morris in 1847 and grew to manhood in that community. He attended the rural school of Ogle County, Illinois, and later attended Mt. Morris College. After completing his schooling, he was engaged for a time as a school teacher in that county. When he was 17 years of age, he enlisted in the 46th Illinois Infantry and served
under Capt. F.H. Marsh. He was in three major battles, the capture of Fort Beekely, the Battle of Mobile, and the Spanish Fort. He was married to Emma Marsh at the home of her brother, Captain Marsh, in Oregon, Illinois. They made their home in Oregon, Illinois for several years. In 1870, they came to Hampton, Iowa. He was engaged in painting and
decorating business and during his active years, he was prominent in the work of the G.A.R. and served as State commander of the Iowa department in 1926 and a charter member of McKenzie Post. He served as an Officer in the local organization for many years.

HAMPTON HEADS G. A. R.
E. J. Stonebraker Elected State Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic at Encampment Held in Keokuk Last Week.

Hampton was placed in the limelight at the encampment of the Iowa Department of the Grand Army of the Republic, held in Keokuk last week, by the promotion of one of its well known Civil War veterans to the post of State Commander. At the election of officers, which took place Wednesday afternoon, E. J. Stonebraker who during the past year served as junior vice commander, was chosen commander on the first ballot receiving a majority vote over two other aspirants for the place. His election to this high office not only pleases the citizens of Hampton, but it is especially gratifying to members of J. W. McKenzie Post, No. 81, G. A. R., for; it gives that organization a record of having three of its members chosen state commander, a distinction not equaled by any other G. A. R. post in Iowa. L. B. Raymond, deceased, was elected state commander in 1903 and L. J. Kron in 1922. Mr. Stonebraker was born and raised on a farm near Mt. Morris, Ill. At the age of 17 he ran away from home and enlisted in Company E, 46th Illinois Veteran Volunteers and remained with the regiment until the close of the Civil War when he returned to Mt. Morris, attended the Rock River Seminary for a year and then for several years taught school. In 1870 he came to Hampton and has since made his home here. In 1879 he joined Company H of the 4th regiment of the Iowa National Guard and the was first sergeant of the company until promoted to color bearer of the regiment, which position he held until the outbreak of the Spanish American war, when his age prevented him from further army service.
Mr. Stonebraker is a charter member of J. W. McKenzie Post, No. 81, G. A. R., and has been chosen commander of that organization five times. He has never missed a state G. A. R. encampment and has attended most of the national encampments. In a word, his interest and enthusiasm for the Grand Army of the Republic has never wavered. He is sure to fill the position of state G. A. R. commander in a way that will reflect credit to himself and the organization.

Mr. Stonebraker arrived in Hampton from Keokuk on the M. & St. L; passenger Friday noon and was met at the station by a delegation composed of members of the local G. A. R. Post and Woman's Relief Corps and escorted to the Memorial hall where he was accorded a warm welcome home. Impromptu congratulatory talks were made and a real jollification held for almost an hour. The occasion was most fitting and one that will be recalled with pleasure by all who were fortunate enough to be there.

Newton was selected as the city for the 1927 encampment of the Iowa department of the G. A. R. at the Keokuk convention last week.

Submitted by Jane Edson

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