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Show Tlie Oldest Veteran of the War, Some time ago an investigation was set on foot for the purpose of ascertaining who could cluim rightfully the distinction distinc-tion of being the oldest member of the Grand Army of the Republic. It was soon established that precedence belonged be-longed to William Field, whose real name was Nathan Frink, and who was born at Deerrield. Mass., Oct. 27, 1800. While a lad young Frink adopted the name of Field, by which he was known for over seventy years. As far back as 1833 he held a commission commis-sion as captain in the First regiment, Massachusetts state militia, and from 1810 to 1801 he officiated as justice of the peace in tho village vil-lage of Harwich. When the civil war began Mr. Field, although over 60 years of age, enlisted as ft private in the Thirty-ninth regiment reg-iment of Massachusetts Massa-chusetts volunteers, volun-teers, and served nt the front dur- WIUjAM' ram ing the entire struggle, being mustered out with his comrades Juno 17, 1885. He was a member mem-ber of Post 00, G. A. R., of Franklin, Mass. , and fully intended to be present at the big Boston reunion which recently took place. But illness intervened, and on tho day whim be had hoped to take part in the monster parade of veterans William Field breathed his last. |