John K Afton, at age 44,  enlisted July 31, 1861; mustered in on August 2, 1861, as a private in Co. G, 1st Michigan Infantry; mustered out at Gaines Mill, Virginia, on June 24, 1862.

During his lifetime, John went by a number of different name variations. He was listed as Kaspar Aftung on the ship's manifest when he immigrated in 1836. Beginning in early 1837 his given name is listed as Caspar but his last name appears as either Afftung and Aftong. By the mid 1860's his name becomes John Afton or sometimes Aften.

John enlisted twice during the Civil War. The first time as John G. Aftong or Afton. He enlisted in Grand Rapids in Company G, First Infantry, July 31, 1861. Mustered in on August 2, 1861. Discharged for disability at Gaines's Mill, Virginia, on June 24, 1862.

The second time John K. Aften enlisted in Grand Rapids in Co. K, 7th Cavalry. Mustered out February 28, 1863. Wounded in the hand and taken prisoner at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863 but returned to the regiment October 1, 1863. Discharged for disability December 1, 1864.

September 1, 1869 he was admitted at North-Western Branch National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Milwaukee, WI. The disability listed on admittance was gunshot wound of the right hand.

John died May 22, 1871 of cancer of the head and face. He was buried the same day; the very first interment at the new Soldier's Home Cemetery. In 1937 the name was changed to Wood National Cemetery. The street within the cemetery on which he is buried is named Afton Circle.

His daughter Margaretha was born November 7, 1838, and baptized at St. Mary's German Catholic Church in Detroit, Michigan, on November 8, 1838. There is no further record of her after that date.

Headstone of John K Afton at the Wood National Cemetery

Wood National Cemetery

JOHN AFTON: DESCENDANTS HONOR FIRST VETERAN BURIED AT WOOD NATIONAL CEMETERY ON 150TH ANNIVERSARY Learn more here: bit.ly/3eyvitH

JOHN K AFTON

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