Thomas F. Mardis

Co. C, 18th Iowa Infantry

He was born November 19, 1837 in Ohio, son of Thomas & Elizabeth (Kain) Mardis. In 1857 he migrated to Iowa where he resided in Washington County, two years later removed to Clarke County before finally settling in Madison County, Iowa in 1873 where he owned 172 acres of land. In 1870 the value of his combined real and personal estates was $2,100, and by 1900 he owned his house free and clear with no mortgage. He held offices of town trustee and school director. He was a brick manufacturer, mason and contractor and had been engaged in the brick business from his boyhood, and therefore thoroughly conversant with all its details.

A veteran of the Civil War, at age 24 he enlisted as a private in Co. C, 18th Iowa Infantry on July 14, 1862 and was mustered into national service on August 6, 1862. On December 14, 1862 he was promoted to 1st Sergeant and on January 8, 1863 was slightly wounded at Springfield, Missouri. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on July 1, 1865 and then he was mustered out on July 20, 1865.

On October 17, 1860 he married Huldah Ann Clark. She was born July 21, 1841 in Fulton County, Illinois. They had four children, all of whom were born in Iowa: John C., about 1862; Hattie R., about 1869; Freddie, about 1875 & Anna S. Mardis, born December, 1884.

Thomas F. Mardis died April 7, 1908 and his wife Huldah died December 19,1918 in Madison County. They are buried in Winterset Cemetery in Winterset, Madison Co., Iowa.

SOURCES: Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System; Iowa Gravestone Photo Project; http://www.ancestry.com/; Roster and Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion, Vol. 3, p. 183; The History of Madison County, Iowa (1879); 1870 Federal Census, Green Bay Township, Clarke Co., IA; 1880 Federal Census, District 14, Winterset, Madison Co., IA; 1900 Federal Census, District 21, Center Township, Madison Co., IA