Samuel Anibal, Civil War Veteran

Evening Recorder, Amsterdam, N.Y., Wed., May 25, 1938

INDIAN LAKE.

May 25. - Swirling back through the pages of history to 75 years ago, there stood a stately youth beside a cannon just across the Mason-Dixon Line. He was battle-scarred but still looking for the enemy. He was fighting for the North, for Abraham Lincoln and for righteousness. It was during the Civil War.

Next Monday may bring a tear or two to the eyes of this still erect stately but more aged, man who today is the lone surviving Hamilton County veteran who fought in the War of the Rebellion. He is Samuel Anibal, 91 years of age, who will be especially honored during the extensive Memorial Day ceremonies here.

Mr. Anibal, a resident of Benson, N. Y., is known as "Dad" to thousands who live in or visit this section of the Central Adirondack each year. His keen sense of humor, his psychology toward life, his personality are found in the rarest of cases.

In addition to being a farmer and lumberjack, he spent many years aiding his son, Leon R. Anibal, who owns and operates the Anibal House, a hunting and fishing lodge at Piseco Lake.

For about five years he was caretaker of the Summer home of Attorney John L. Hill, New York, located at Piseco Lake. And for a few years he accompanied Attorney Hill to the metropolis, where he cared for the stables and was a handy man around the New York estate.

Mr. Anibal now lives with his daughter, Mrs. George Darling, at Benson. He has one surviving brother, Charles W. Anibal, also of.that community.

Gloversville NY, Morning Herald, 21 Dec 1943

Samuel Anibal, Age 96, Dies in Benson; Last GAR Vet in Fulton-Hamilton Counties.

Samuel G. Anibal, 96, last survivor of the Civil War in Fulton and Hamilton Counties, died yesterday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cora Darling, Town of Benson. Mr. Anibal, a former resident of Northville, was active until two months ago when his health failed. He also was one of the oldest resident of both counties.

Born in the Town of Benson, May 10, 1847, he was the son of the late George and Hannah Porter Anibal.

Saw Active Service

Mr. Anibal saw service in some of the most important battles of the Civil War During the last year and one-half of that struggle. He was a member of a local artillery company in the Union ranks. Although participating actively in several battles, he was not wounded.

As the suriving member of the Grand Army of the Republic in both counties, he was guest of honor last Memorial Day at Stanley Steves Post, American Legion, at exercises held at Speculator.

After the Civil War he was engaged both as a farmer and lumberman but has been retired for many years. The past ten years he has resided in the Town of Benson. Previously he lived in Northville with his son, Leonard M. Anibal, who at the time operated the Avalon Hotel. Later he removed with his son to Piseco where the son is proprietor of the Anibal House.

Survivors Listed

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Darling and Mrs. Nettie Bloss, Glversville; one son, Leonard M. Anibal, Piseco; one gradnson, William Darling, Johnstown; one granddaughter, Mrs. Clarence Amadon, New Jersey; several nieces and nephews. His wife, Rosilla Call Anibal, died many years ago.

The body has been removed to the Yates and Corey funeral home, Northville, from where military services will be conducted tomorrow at 2 P.M. Rev. George Frazer, retired Presbyterian minister, will officiate. The military services will be conducted by the American Legion. Burial will be made in the family plot in Benson cemetery.