George Laster (Union Soldier)

George Laster was born abt.1843 in Franklin County, Tennesseee the son of Isaac Laster and Mary Knight. At the age of 21, he enlisted with the United States Colored Troops in Paducah, Kentucky on February 2, 1864 under the alias name of George Slater. It is uncertain at this time if he was a run away slave or a free man. He served as a Private in Company A, 8th Regiment , Heavy Artillery Division. He was described on the Military Service Record as Dark Completion, Dark Eyes, and Dark Hair. He was discharged when the regiment was mustered out on February 14, 1866 in Victoria Texas. In 1873, he married Phyllis Larkin an Indian women from Franklin County Tennessee. George and Phyllis had eleven childern: Mary, Della, Isaac, Effie, Lena, Buford, Benjamin, Hugh, Alma, James and Frank. He applied for a Veterans Pension in 1891 and received it until his death in 1906. After his death, Phyllis was also able to collect benefits until her death in 1918.

Click on picture to enlarge