Local connection to Battle of Gettysburg

Union Cemetery holds a member of the 1st Minnesota who fought at Gettysburg.

Morritz (nicknamed Morris) Earhardt (some spellings note Ehrhardt or Erhardt) was a German immigrant born March 7, 1844. His family settled in Stillwater in 1852 after coming to America in spring 1846.

role Carlberg plays as a reenactor is Gen. George Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac, who defeated the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia led by General Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg.

The retired colonel plans to play Hancock at the Union Cemetery event. He will also lead the parade and emcee the ceremony. Three politicians are slated to speak about the 50th anniversary of Vietnam, Private Erhardt (see side story) and the Battle of Gettysburg, Carlberg said.

Following the speeches, he will order members to “take those colors (take the flag).” They will fix bayonets to 1861 Springfield muskets, load blanks and fire “three volleys of musketry.”

“For those who haven’t seen soldiers in Civil War uniform loading, fixing and firing, it will be quite the event,” Carlberg promised.

The VFW Honor Guard will shoot its volleys with “echo” Taps concluding the ceremony.

You Should Know

The annual parade to Union Cemetery starts near City Hall at 9:30 a.m. The cemetery ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

When the Civil War began, Earhardt enlisted at a rally in his new hometown. He was mustered into Company B, 1st Minnesota Infantry on April 29, 1861, at Ft. Snelling. He lied about his age, claiming to be 18 when he was really 17. His father, a veteran of the Mexican War, also served in Company C of the 8th Minnesota infantry.

A piece about Earhardt by Wayne Jorgenson says he was wounded in the left ankle at Gettysburg during the regiment’s fateful charge July 2, 1863. His wound never healed and, eventually, infection led to his death years later. He was discharged May 24, 1864, when his commitment was up and he returned to Stillwater.

In 1867, Earhardt moved to White Bear, married Anna Milner Dec. 24, 1878, and had a son, Lincoln Morris Erhardt, around 1880.

A civic-minded citizen, Earhardt became a charter member of the E.B. Gibbs GAR Post 76 and held positions as village roadmaster, marshal and street

In addition to his involvement in high school sports, Larry enjoyed playing baseball for the Cushing Tigers, skiing at Trollhaugen, and playing golf and hockey.

After graduating from high school, Larry married the love of his life, Lois Minnie Wiesender, on September 11, 1954 at the famous Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They were later blessed with four children.

Larry was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin River Falls where he studied Psychology and Mathematics. He attended from 1969 to 1972 and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree. Larry worked at Andersen Corporation before becoming a Chemical Dependency Technician and later a Human Resource Manager at Tenere Inc. Larry took up running and ran Grandma’s Marathon at the age of 46 in 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, younger brother Dick Fisk and sister-in-law Karen Fisk. He is survived by his wife, Lois, his children Terry Fisk and wife Jeannine (Eau Claire, WI), Cindy Newlin and husband Tim (Taylors Falls, MN), Randy Fisk and wife Laurie (Shoreview, MN), Rick Fisk (Maplewood, MN), brothers Jon Fisk (Mahtomedi, MN) and Eddie Fisk and wife Sandie (Venice, FL), as well as thirteen grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.

Larry enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was an avid traveler and sports fan who loved cheering on his favorite teams (Minnesota Golden Gophers) and the Chicago Cubs with his brother Jon. Larry was known for his athleticism, sense of humor and kind heart. He will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him.

Larry’s cremains will be buried in the St. Croix Falls, WI Cemetery, and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

DEBRA NEUTKENS commissioner. He was a member of the Village Council and Justice of the Peace and served on the board of education.

Morritz Earhardt, an infantryman with the 1st Minnesota, is one of 17 Civil War veterans buried at Union Cemetery. He died at age 64 from wounds suffered years earlier in the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg.

The Gettysburg gunshot wound would plague him all his life. In 1907, his left leg was amputated below the knee. A cancerous infection in the stump was considered the cause of his death Dec. 17, 1908, at the age of 64. Jorgensen wrote: “The bullet that took him down at Gettysburg finally took his life 45 years later.”

According to the area historical society, St. Mary’s parish purchased land for its cemetery from the Earhardts around 1893.

Debra Neutkens

James Allen Thompson

Age 91, Passed away April 27.

Survived by his wife Rosanne of 63 years; son Tim (Beth), daughter Kim (Scott) Newell; brothers Ralph (Genny), Mike (Louise), nieces, nephews, many relatives, and friends. Jim was proud of his service in the U.S. Navy, Jim was a carpenter. They have lived in White Bear Lake the past 59 years. Memorial Service 11 a.m. Thursday, June 1, 2023 at HONSA FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 2460 East County Road E, White Bear Lake, with a visitation one hour before the service. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Arrangements, Honsa Family Funeral Home, 651-429-6172

David L. Potter

Age 86 of White Bear Township. Dave passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 3, 2023.

Survived by wife of 65 years, Joyce; children, Steven (Jinxiu Li) Potter, Keith Potter and friend, Dr. Barb Gibson, Lynne (William) Swanson, Curtis Potter and friend, Jeanine Chagnon, Nancy (Scott) Stankiewicz, Cheryl (Jason Vavra) Baden and David (Kathleen) Potter; grandchildren, Lise, Danielle, Henry, Reid, Scottie, Hailey, Harry, Adam, Hobie, Lucy and Grayson; great-granddaughter, Claire; siblings, Rita Zarich, Phil Potter, Christine Potter and Anthony “Tony” (Jackie) Potter.

Services were held on May 13, 2023, at HolcombHenry-Boom-Purcell .