----Source: WEEKLY CLARION (Dorchester, Clark Co., WI) 10/02/1925

Ploof, Joseph (15 AUG 1843 - 26 Sep 1925)

Joseph Ploof, a veteran of the Civil War and one of the early pioneers in Dorchester country, answered the last roll call last Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26th, 1925, at his home in Abbotsford. Mr. Ploof was 82 years, 1 month and 11 days old, and has been ailing for the past few years with cancer of the stomach, which finally resulted in his death.

The funeral services were held Tuesday morning from St. Bernard's Catholic church at Abbotsford, Rev. Father Eisenman officiating, and interment was made in the local cemetery on the north edge of the village while the entire services were under the dircetion and charge of undertaker E. J. Fuschgruber of Dorchester.

A large number of people gathered to witness the last sad rites and the funeral cortege was led by three old Civil War comrades, Tom Dillon, George Holton and Fred Haylett, while ten veterans of the World War acted as an escort, five marching on each side of the corps. At the grave a firing squad fired a salute and taps were blown on the bugle by Maurice Thompson.

The pallbearers were Peter Kramer, Louie Heisler, Henry Leiders, Andrew Leiders, Julius LeClaire and Alfred Schuman.

Joseph Ploof was born on Aug. 15th, 1843, at Coopersville, N.Y., where he grew to manhood's estate. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Co. I of the 118th Infantry of New York and took part in the battles of Quaker Bridge, Fredricksburg, Port Walthall, Arrowsfield Church, Fort Darling, Hatches Run, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and High Bridge. At Cold Harbor he was wounded in the left shoulder and confined to a hospital for several months and was honorably discharged from service in June 1865.

On Sept. 18, 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Olive Young. Three years later they moved to Fond du Lac where they lived 14 years, and then to Ogema for 8 years. During this time Mr. Ploof was employed as foreman in lumber camps. In the early 80's Mr. and Mrs. Ploof came to Dorchester, Clark County, Wis. country and purchased the farm now known as the Oliver Stetter place. For twenty-two years they toiled and made a home for themselves and put under cultivation many acres of land. In 1912 they sold the farm and moved to Abbotsford where they have since resided. Mrs. Ploof died three years ago. The past two years Mr. Ploof has been with the Julius LeClaires.

The deceased is survived by one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Malvina Ploof, of Superior; five grandchildren, Mrs. Agnes White and George Ploof, Superior, Joe Ploof, Chicago, Mrs. Genevieve Beisner and Miss Florence Ploof of the town of Mayville, Clark County, and six great-grandchildren.