John Drain

John W. Drain

Highlighted in this article is the obituary of Corporal John W. Drain, the last living Civil War veteran of Keokuk and a formerly enslaved Black man. During the series celebrating 175 years of The Daily Gate City, an interview with Drain was showcased, but this article was written the day after his death on Feb. 29, 1940. Cpl. Drain is buried in Oakland Cemetery on plot L2-00-41.

John W. Drain, Last Civil War Veteran Here, Is Dead

John W. Drain, 96, Lee County’s last Civil War veteran, died last evening at 7:18 o’clock in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ella Drain-Taylor in Montgomery City, Missouri, after an illness of some time. Mr. Drain had suffered a paralytic stroke. He had spent the greater part of his life in Lee County and considered this his home.

One of Mr. Drain’s most treasured memories and a source of delight to him was his visit to the Gettysburg battlefield two years ago when he was encamped with thousands of other Civil War veterans from all sections of the United States. He was accompanied on the historic trip by his son, Alonzo Drain, of Keokuk.

Born in Slavery

Mr. Drain was born a slave on Jan. 9, 1844, in Clark County, Missouri. He was the only son of Edward and Emaline Drain. His early years were spent on the farm. He was owned by Judge Llewlyn, who moved from Clark County to Montgomery County, where John Drain lived until the Civil War broke out. He had three half-sisters and seven half-brothers. At the age of 18, he ran away from the slave home and enlisted in the Union Army in Wellsville, Missouri, on Jan. 18, 1864, under Col. Campfield. At that time, the weather was bitter cold. To reach the Union headquarters, Drain traveled all night through snow and intensely cold weather.

Escapes Death

About a week after enlistment, Drain, with 150 recruits, was sent to Saint Louis in a boxcar with no fire and only straw on the floor. Drain was mustered into Co. D 67th Regiment U.S. Colored Volunteers under Captain Wright with Colonel Lowrey, regimental commander. After training in Benton Barracks for four months, the regiment was ordered by boat to Helena, Arkansas, where the regiment went on guard duty for several months, during which time there were a number of skirmishes with the rebels. When the regiment passed Lookout Mountain, the men were fired on by the rebels, but the fire was not returned, the distance being too great. At Port Hudson, the rebels almost annihilated the entire regiment; all the officers were killed, and the men were run over by the rebel cavalry and cut to pieces. John Drain escaped by running down the bank of the bayou and, from there, made his way to the Mississippi River, then crawled and walked under the bank up the river until he made good his escape to the Union headquarters. He was in a heavy engagement on the Red River, where a great number of men were killed. At Mogenzes Bend, a sharp battle took place, and then the troops were moved to St. Francisville, then to Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and the Gulf Coast.

At Baton Rouge, the 67th Regiment was consolidated with the 60th Regiment, and Drain was transferred to Co. E of the 65th Regiment. After seeing service in New Orleans for some time, the regiment was ordered back to Baton Rouge, where the troops were mustered out in January 1867. John Drain was sent to Saint Louis, Missouri, by boat but could get no farther than Cairo, Illinois, because of ice. The men were transferred to the railroad and were brought to Saint Louis in a box car. At Saint Louis, the men received their pay in Schofield Barracks. At the close of his military service, Drain returned to his home and resumed farming.

Upon resuming civilian life, Mr. Drain was one of the founders of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. He was a member of the Pratt Post of the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) there and was its last surviving member. During his years of residence in Keokuk, he was a member of the Bethel A.M.E. Church and, for several years, served as steward and class leader. Mr. Drain was also a member of Union Lodge A.F. and A.M., Prince Hall Affiliation.

Two Children Survive

Mr. Drain is survived by two children — Mrs. Ella Drain-Taylor, of Montgomery City, Missouri, and Alonzo W. Drain, of Keokuk; two grandsons, Elliott A. Drain and Milford R. Drain, both of St Louis. His wife, Mary Drain, preceded him in death on May 13, 1928, together with a daughter, Margaret Bruce Drain.

The body will arrive in Keokuk Friday and will lie in state in Greaves Mortuary until funeral services which will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock in the Bethel A.M.E. Church in the charge of Rev. W. F. Ogleton.

Source: Daily Gate City 11 Feb. 2023