UPDATE: A long-forgotten grave of Civil War veteran Joseph H. White has been identified in Seward, Alaska, nearly 110 years after his death. The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War confirmed the location of White’s burial site in Woodlawn Cemetery, where he was laid to rest in 1916. A ceremony is set for July 2025 to honor his service and install a permanent headstone.
For decades, White’s grave remained unmarked and neglected, hidden beneath overgrown trees in an abandoned cemetery. Recent efforts by local historians and veterans’ groups have finally brought attention to his resting place. A small U.S. flag, a replica Union Army cap, and a framed picture of White now adorn the site, marking the place of a hero who served with the 73rd and 69th New York Infantry Regiments.
Tom Simmons, a member of the Sons of Union Veterans, played a crucial role in identifying White’s grave by examining old cemetery maps and recognizing a distinct ground depression—a telltale sign of a burial site. “You can sometimes see kind of a divot in the ground, and it is very apparent there,” Simmons stated. His determination led to the discovery of White’s final resting place after reviewing pension records of Civil War veterans in the state.
White was born in New York in 1837 and initially enlisted in the Union Army in 1862. He was wounded at the Battle of Fair Oaks and later reenlisted in 1864. After moving to Seward in 1906, he contributed to the community by repairing boats and running a roadhouse along the Alaska Railroad. He passed away at the age of 78, leaving behind a widow but no children.
The upcoming ceremony aims to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, providing a fitting tribute to White and highlighting Alaska’s historical ties to the Civil War. Simmons hopes this recognition will deepen Alaskans’ understanding of their state’s place in American history.
“This is the first grave identified by our group in Alaska,” Simmons emphasized, suggesting it may be the only unmarked grave of a Union veteran in the state. Efforts are ongoing to identify additional graves of Civil War veterans in Alaska, with Simmons stating that fewer than 50 marked graves have been documented.
As volunteers continue to maintain Woodlawn Cemetery, the Sons of Union Veterans have plans to install a headstone provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, honoring White’s service. The ceremony will not only commemorate White but also inspire future generations to appreciate the contributions of veterans, especially those who remain lesser-known.
Stay tuned for more updates as we approach this significant event in Seward, where history will be honored and remembered.
