Augusta County: "Distinguished Soldier and Citizens," by Unknown, 1922
Summary: Extended, positive obituary for Augusta County veteran
Col. George W. Imboden, noted lawyer, soldier, and public citizen, departed this life from his home at Ansted, Fayette County, W. Va., on January 8, 1922, in the eighty-seventh year of his life.
He was born in Augusta County, Va., and practiced law at Staunton till the breaking out of the War between the States, when in April, 1861, he enlisted and was elected first sergeant of the Staunton Artillery, and second lieutenant in November. On its reorganization, he was chosen major of the 62nd Virginia Infantry, and in December, 1862, was elected colonel of the 18th Virginia Cavalry, with which he served till the close of the war.
He and his four brothers-Gen. John D. Imboden, Capt. F. M. Imboden Capt. J. P. Imboden, and Maj. James A. Imboden-all gained distinction for bravery in the Confederate service, and all continued in service till the surrender of General Lee.
Colonel Imboden was a gallant soldier, leading in many battles in a quiet way and with sound judgment. He kept his own counsels and often sprung surprises on the enemy. At one time he captured a wagon train of fifty-four mule teams, newly equipped and loaded with provisions and corn. When the front wagon was upset and caused a stampede, he ordered all to turn, and at Summersville they ran an old grist mill all night and had a royal feast in the morning. In June, 1863, he surprised and entered Cumberland, Md. Through his noble example of faithfulness, courage, and self-sacrifice he won the respect and confidence of his followers, and with honor and humanity he was always kind to his captured prisoners. He was wounded at Gordonsville in December, 1864, had his jaw broken and was shot in the shoulder. He ever had the confidence of Generals Lee and Stonewall Jackson, who could safely rely on him to carry out the plans intrusted to him.
In December, 1869, Colonel Imboden married Miss Mary Frances Tyree, of Fayette County, Va., and removed to Crittenden, Ky., but in 1870 he came to Fayette County, W. Va., and engaged with the Ganley Coal Company till 1878 as their attorney, also practicing law at the Fayette County bar. He was elected to the legislature when the capital was at Wheeling, was president of the county court for four years, mayor of Ansted, recorder, and was also connected with the Ansted National Bank as president or director from is beginning in 1907.
Several years after the death of his first wife, in December, 1889, he married Miss Angia Mildred, daughter of Col. Hudson M. Dickinson, one of the pioneers of the county and a prominent citizen, with whom he lived in happy companionship for thirty-two years in their home, "Contentment," at Ansted, and who is left to mourn her loss. Politically, Colonel Imboden was a stanch Democrat and a great admirer of Woodrow Wilson and his administration. He was always interested in the development of his State, his county, and especially his own home town, Ansted, where he lived fifty-one years. He was a student, well posted in ancient and modern history, a subscriber to the CONFEDERATE VETERAN, which he always read with great interest. He was a member of the Jeb Stuart Camp, U. C. V. and Commander of the Camp from 1913 until failing health caused him resignation. In faith he was a Presbyterian, and in early life gave his heart to God and became occupied in Church work. He was elected a ruling elder in 1867 and served faithfully in his duties in Kentucky and in Virginia. He was a Sunday school superintendent for forty-seven years. He was not a sectarian, loved all of God's children and joined heartily with them in advancing the kingdom.
At his funeral ministers of the Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Baptist lovingly joined in paying tribute to his memory, after which he was laid to rest, dressed in his Confederate gray, in a gray casket, at the Ansted Cemetery, near the tomb where lie the remains of the sainted mother of Stonewall Jackson.
Soldier of God, well done,
Rest from thy loved employ,
The battle
fought, thy victory won,
Enter thy Master's joy.
Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: Confederate Veteran, Vol. 30 (1922), p. 125.
