Albert Woolson Ceremony

The Duluthian and former last living Union veteran of the Civil War is honored with an 11 a.m. wreath-laying ceremony at Park Hill Cemetery, followed by a wreath-laying at the Duluth Depot at 1 p.m.

Albert Henry Woolson was born in Antwerp, Jefferson County, N.Y. on Feb. 11, 1850. His father, Willard Woolson, enlisted in the Union Army and was mortally wounded at the Battle of Shiloh. Albert and his mother moved to Windom, Minn. where he was cared for at an Army hospital before he passed. On Oct. 10, 1864, at 14 years old, Albert enlisted into Company C, 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery as a Drummer Boy. The company never saw action and Woolson was mustered out of the Regiment on Sept. 7, 1865.

Woolson married twice and raised a family that included Albert Jr., who served in the Spanish-American War. They lived in Mankato, Saint Peter, and Windom before they moved to Duluth around the turn of the century.

Albert Henry Woolson was active in the Grand Army of the Republic, held the position of National Sr. Vice Commander. He was also a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War under the service of his father Willard Woolson. Albert Woolson passed away on the August 2, 1956. He was 106 years old and known to be the last living Union soldier and widely recognized and the last Veteran of the Civil War from either side.