58th Reunion, August, 1931, Urbana Ohio. From the Urbana Citizen: But four faithful members of the 1,000 boys of the old 45th Ohio regiment met at the 58th annual reunion held at the home of Captain John P. Neer, in Scioto street, Wednesday, on the 69th anniversary of the organization of the regiment; when it was mustered into service at Columbus, boarded onto flat cars and ordered to Fort Thomas, Ky. for service. Comrade Eli Pence of St. Paris, Comrade William Porter of Alger, Ohio, comrade Joseph A. Huff of Springfield, Ohio and Captain Neer, the host, were in attendance. None of the veterans is less than 83 years of age. ...Comrade Pence is almost 90 years of age and his enthusiasm for a get-together with his comrades is evidenced in the fact that he drove an Overland coupe, bearing two granddaughters, Miss Pence and Miss Sarah Michael also of Paris, to the reunion. 60th Reunion, August 16, 1933, Urbana, Ohio. From the Springfield Sun, August 17, 1933:: One lonely veteran answered the roll call today for the 60th and final reunion of the old 45th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. One man, who as a lad of 21 summers marched proudly down the streets of Columbus on that August day in 1862 as one of a thousand men who answered President Lincoln's call, stood silently at attention, the weight of 92 winters on his shoulders, as the silvery notes of a bugle sounded "Taps" for the regiment's last mortal meeting. He was Eli Pence, of St. Paris, the group's last president and, perhaps, its last survivor, for invitations had been sent to all of the members known to be alive a year ago -- and he alone responded. There were other Civil War veterans there -- L.S. Raff, commander of Brand Post, G.A.R.; Charles McDargh, past senior vice commander of the state department; A.B. Lillie and Benoni Wilson, veterans all -- but only one from the old 45th. Mr. Pence spoke briefly and honored the memory of his late comrades and then listened attentively while Commander E.P. Ludlow, of the H.M. Pearce Post, American Legion, sketched the history of the 45th Regiment. C.C. Murray, of Woodstock, "Fifer" Shibler, of Milford Center, played the martial airs which thrilled the wearers of the blue in Civil War days, Clyde Shyrigh and Lou Hovey formed the drum corps. Mrs. Minnie E. Liles, Lakewood, who for the past 28 years has acted as the regiment's secretary, spoke briefly. Benediction was pronounced by Rev. H.C. Ackerman and Shyrigh sang "(End of a) Perfect Day." From the hallway came the notes of a bugle. Eli Pence appeared to be looking away...into the future..into the past. It was taps for the old 45th.  From the Urbana Citizen, August 16, 1933: As a soloist sang the closing lines of  "The End of a Perfect Day," a hidden bugler played taps at noon Wednesday, and the famous fighting 45th Ohio Volunteer Infantry closed a chapter that started on August 19, 1862, when this organization, destined to play such an important role in the Civil War, was formed in Columbus. Only one member of the stalwart thousand was able to attend the sixtieth and last reunion, held at Douglas hotel, Urbana, Wednesday. That member was Eli Pence, 92, of St. Paris, the last president of the reunion organization. The grizzled veteran sat at one end of a long table in a private dining room of the hotel, while at the other end was seated Miss Minnie E. Liles, of Lakeview, daughter of a veteran of the regiment, who died several years ago. For 28 years Miss Liles has attended the reunions, and only through her efforts have the annual gatherings been made possible in the past few years. Miss Liles made a beautiful talk, after being introduced by Commander Fax Ludlow of H.M. Pearce Post. No. 120, American Legion, who presided at the reunion and who helped Miss Liles arrange the last meeting of these Boys in Blue. Miss Liles reviewed the regiment's history, told of the reunions of the past, paid a tribute to the memory of each veteran that has gone, and the few who remain, but were too old or broken in health to attend regimental reunions. "The work these men did must not be forgotten, but must be perpetuated in loving memory. Others must carry on in their places, no matter what comes, and I pass the torch to you, Commander Ludlow, to see that the American Legion carries on.," said Miss Liles in closing. Commander Ludlow, in a few words, extended greetings to Commander Eli Pence. 'It is only when we are thrown with real old timers like you that we veterans of the World War realize how little yet we really know of the world and life," said Ludlow. "It is my hope that when we reach the same time of life you have now attained, that we will command the same reserved respect that you Civil War veterans enjoy in the community." It was a touching talk, that of Commander Pence, presiding at a one-man reunion, with only memories of his former buddies sitting as shadows in vacant chairs scattered about the room. Mr. Pence predicts another World War, and soon, one really embroiling the entire world, after which he thinks there will be real peace. I will not attempt to give a history of the war,' he said. "You have histories to read, while I have yet another in my heart. Bless you all for coming here to this last reunion." Rev. A..C. Ackerman, rector of Church of Epiphany, Urbana, pronounced the benediction. The table was beautifully decorated with flowers sent down from the Murphy gardens, while a white angel food cake, presented by Miss Liles, and which bore 60 candles, occupied a place of honor before Mr. Pence. Clyde Shyrigh of East Court street, Urbana, sang three well-chosen numbers. during the program, and also rendered "Perfect Day."  accompanied by Mrs. Shyrigh. Walter Duffy, of East Reynolds street, also of Urbana, was the bugler. Before dinner and during the program Mr. Pence and a scattering of Civil War veterans of other outfits, including Commander L.S. Raff of the Brand post, G.A.R., Urbana, were regaled with martial music ripped off in lively old-time fashion by Clyde Shyrigh and Lou Hovey, drummer of Urbana, and two clever fifers, C.C. Murray of Woodstock, and E.M. Shibler, of Milford Center who volunteered their services and gave the day to help entertain.   About 25 men and women attended the dinner, including representatives of Pearce Post, Urbana, and the St. Paris Post, of American Legion, and Brand Post, G.A.R. The D.A.R. was represented, as well as other organizations. The dinner was served to the liking of the Boys in Blue, who recalled the strange contrast with the army fare they have never forgotten. The desert course was ice cream, in red, white and blue brick.

36th Reunion, August 10, 1909, Bellefontaine, Ohio. From the minutes: ...Colonel Ben R. Runkle was then call up for an address. He gave us a good talk on what the 45th done for uncle Sam.           Mrs. Blanch Sarver gave us some more musick on the pianna. Ex post master J.G.A. Campbell gave us a splendid talk. Mrs. Sarver gave us another piece of musick on the pianna.           General A.P. Kennedy was then called. He think that the boys when they join the malecia that they should be examined just the same as if they were joining the army. His talk was very interesting. Raymond Burke and Golda Sarver sang a duet title "The Stinga Kid." Mrs. Blanch Sarver whistled & plaid a solo... Excerpted from the Bellefontaine Republican: ...Gen. Ben P. Runkle, of Gov. Harmon's staff, Columbus, spoke to the comrades in the afternoon much to their interest and enjoyment. Gen. Runkle is six feet tall and as straight as an arrow, carrying his years with the greatest ease, and looking debonair and handsome in his fashionable summer suit of light grey. His hair and beard are snow white, but his eye is keen and his joy is great to meet and mingle with the comrades of the Civil war...   39th Reunion, August 19, 1912, Bellefontaine, Ohio. The following article excerpt appeared in the Weekly Index Republican: ...The youngest member present was Comrade Durfey, who is 60 years of age, and the oldest was Comrade A.R. Walmer, who is 84, of Degraff.            A pathetic feature of the reunion was the meeting of Comrade Hiram Shirk, of Harrisburg, Franklin County, Ohio, and his sister, Mrs. William Reames, husband of West Liberty, who had not seen each other for thirty-five years. William Reames, husband of Mrs. Reames, was also a member of the Forty-fifth and he and his wife came to the reunion Wednesday. Little did they dream that they would see Mrs. Reames' brother, who while a member of the regiment, was not of the same company as Mr. Reames. The families had lost all trace of one another and the reunion was a reunion in more ways than one for these people. Mr. Shirk is a stone mason in his home town. He went to West Liberty from here where he will visit with his sister for a while. ...An occasion of this kind is the only opportunity that the veterans have of getting together and talking over old times and war experiences and it is one of the most profound enjoyment to them and also to those who see them together. Before and after the sessions little knots of the veterans congregated on the streets beneath the shade trees and talked over old times to their hearts' content. While there are a few no doubt that will not be among the number to reune next year all look forward to the meeting with joy in their hearts. One aged veteran was heard to exclaim: "I wish these reunions came every day instead of once a year: it gives me great pleasure to circulate among my old comrades and recall some of the hair-raising experiences through which we went years ago."            The regiment has no record of any of its members deserting during their long service in the war, which is a notable feature... 41th Annual Reunion, August 14th, 1914, Bellefontaine, Ohio. From the Weekly Index Republican: ...The morning session was devoted to hearing the reports of the officers of the regiment and to general business.            The afternoon session was in the nature of a camp fire at which a number of enthusiastic speeches were delivered and many war stories were related. The program was in charge of C.H. Durfey, president. ...The response was made by Attorney W.K. Williams, of Columbus, son of S.K. Williams, a member of  the 45th. Mr. Williams is the Democratic nominee for Common Pleas Judge in Franklin county. He lauded President Wilson and said that he would make a great war president in case we should become involved in such a contest because he was slow to wrath...

59th Reunion of the 45th OVI, at the Urbana, Ohio home of John P. Neer (center)

58th Reunion, August, 1931, Urbana Ohio. From the Urbana Citizen: But four faithful members of the 1,000 boys of the old 45th Ohio regiment met at the 58th annual reunion held at the home of Captain John P. Neer, in Scioto street, Wednesday, on the 69th anniversary of the organization of the regiment; when it was mustered into service at Columbus, boarded onto flat cars and ordered to Fort Thomas, Ky. for service. Comrade Eli Pence of St. Paris, Comrade William Porter of Alger, Ohio, comrade Joseph A. Huff of Springfield, Ohio and Captain Neer, the host, were in attendance. None of the veterans is less than 83 years of age. ...Comrade Pence is almost 90 years of age and his enthusiasm for a get-together with his comrades is evidenced in the fact that he drove an Overland coupe, bearing two granddaughters, Miss Pence and Miss Sarah Michael also of Paris, to the reunion. 60th Reunion, August 16, 1933, Urbana, Ohio. From the Springfield Sun, August 17, 1933:: One lonely veteran answered the roll call today for the 60th and final reunion of the old 45th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. One man, who as a lad of 21 summers marched proudly down the streets of Columbus on that August day in 1862 as one of a thousand men who answered President Lincoln's call, stood silently at attention, the weight of 92 winters on his shoulders, as the silvery notes of a bugle sounded "Taps" for the regiment's last mortal meeting. He was Eli Pence, of St. Paris, the group's last president and, perhaps, its last survivor, for invitations had been sent to all of the members known to be alive a year ago -- and he alone responded. There were other Civil War veterans there -- L.S. Raff, commander of Brand Post, G.A.R.; Charles McDargh, past senior vice commander of the state department; A.B. Lillie and Benoni Wilson, veterans all -- but only one from the old 45th. Mr. Pence spoke briefly and honored the memory of his late comrades and then listened attentively while Commander E.P. Ludlow, of the H.M. Pearce Post, American Legion, sketched the history of the 45th Regiment. C.C. Murray, of Woodstock, "Fifer" Shibler, of Milford Center, played the martial airs which thrilled the wearers of the blue in Civil War days, Clyde Shyrigh and Lou Hovey formed the drum corps. Mrs. Minnie E. Liles, Lakewood, who for the past 28 years has acted as the regiment's secretary, spoke briefly. Benediction was pronounced by Rev. H.C. Ackerman and Shyrigh sang "(End of a) Perfect Day." From the hallway came the notes of a bugle. Eli Pence appeared to be looking away...into the future..into the past. It was taps for the old 45th.  From the Urbana Citizen, August 16, 1933: As a soloist sang the closing lines of  "The End of a Perfect Day," a hidden bugler played taps at noon Wednesday, and the famous fighting 45th Ohio Volunteer Infantry closed a chapter that started on August 19, 1862, when this organization, destined to play such an important role in the Civil War, was formed in Columbus. Only one member of the stalwart thousand was able to attend the sixtieth and last reunion, held at Douglas hotel, Urbana, Wednesday. That member was Eli Pence, 92, of St. Paris, the last president of the reunion organization. The grizzled veteran sat at one end of a long table in a private dining room of the hotel, while at the other end was seated Miss Minnie E. Liles, of Lakeview, daughter of a veteran of the regiment, who died several years ago. For 28 years Miss Liles has attended the reunions, and only through her efforts have the annual gatherings been made possible in the past few years. Miss Liles made a beautiful talk, after being introduced by Commander Fax Ludlow of H.M. Pearce Post. No. 120, American Legion, who presided at the reunion and who helped Miss Liles arrange the last meeting of these Boys in Blue. Miss Liles reviewed the regiment's history, told of the reunions of the past, paid a tribute to the memory of each veteran that has gone, and the few who remain, but were too old or broken in health to attend regimental reunions. "The work these men did must not be forgotten, but must be perpetuated in loving memory. Others must carry on in their places, no matter what comes, and I pass the torch to you, Commander Ludlow, to see that the American Legion carries on.," said Miss Liles in closing. Commander Ludlow, in a few words, extended greetings to Commander Eli Pence. 'It is only when we are thrown with real old timers like you that we veterans of the World War realize how little yet we really know of the world and life," said Ludlow. "It is my hope that when we reach the same time of life you have now attained, that we will command the same reserved respect that you Civil War veterans enjoy in the community." It was a touching talk, that of Commander Pence, presiding at a one-man reunion, with only memories of his former buddies sitting as shadows in vacant chairs scattered about the room. Mr. Pence predicts another World War, and soon, one really embroiling the entire world, after which he thinks there will be real peace. I will not attempt to give a history of the war,' he said. "You have histories to read, while I have yet another in my heart. Bless you all for coming here to this last reunion." Rev. A..C. Ackerman, rector of Church of Epiphany, Urbana, pronounced the benediction. The table was beautifully decorated with flowers sent down from the Murphy gardens, while a white angel food cake, presented by Miss Liles, and which bore 60 candles, occupied a place of honor before Mr. Pence. Clyde Shyrigh of East Court street, Urbana, sang three well-chosen numbers. during the program, and also rendered "Perfect Day."  accompanied by Mrs. Shyrigh. Walter Duffy, of East Reynolds street, also of Urbana, was the bugler. Before dinner and during the program Mr. Pence and a scattering of Civil War veterans of other outfits, including Commander L.S. Raff of the Brand post, G.A.R., Urbana, were regaled with martial music ripped off in lively old-time fashion by Clyde Shyrigh and Lou Hovey, drummer of Urbana, and two clever fifers, C.C. Murray of Woodstock, and E.M. Shibler, of Milford Center who volunteered their services and gave the day to help entertain.   About 25 men and women attended the dinner, including representatives of Pearce Post, Urbana, and the St. Paris Post, of American Legion, and Brand Post, G.A.R. The D.A.R. was represented, as well as other organizations. The dinner was served to the liking of the Boys in Blue, who recalled the strange contrast with the army fare they have never forgotten. The desert course was ice cream, in red, white and blue brick.