Company G.
A. W. Hosford was born June 14th, 1839, in Lorain county, Ohio, where he resided until the spring of 1855, when, with a determination to do and dare for himself, he packed his grip and started for the far west, arriving at Dubuque, Iowa, March 17th of that year. At this date no railway had penetrated the northwest as far as the Father of Waters, the terminus of the Illinois Central railroad then being Galena, Illinois. At this place he took stage for Dubuque, Iowa, a lively town of about eight thousand inhabitants. Having been brought up on a farm he sought employment as a farm hand; failing to find immediate employment in this line, he worked in a brick yard for three months, when he engaged with a farmer, receiving a man's wages, twenty dollars per month, though but sixteen years of age. Here he remained, working at whatever he could find to do, until August, 1857, when he concluded that to fight successfully the battle of life required a better education than he had yet received. So, gathering up his effects, which amounted to two hundred and fifty dollars, he returned to Oberlin, Ohio, where his mother then lived — entering college at this place, pursuing special studies until the spring of 1859, when with a depleted treasury he returned to Dubuque, Iowa. Here he at once secured a position as teacher in a public school near Reed's Chapel, where he had formerly worked. After teaching this school one term, he was appointed teacher at Rockdale, near Dubuque, which position he held until the breaking out of the rebellion.
The disaster to the Union arms at the battle of Bull Run removed all doubt from his mind as to his duty to the Government he had early been taught to love and reverence. So he immediately enrolled his name in the cavalry company then forming in Dubuque, which became Company G, First Iowa Cavalry. In this company he served till its final muster out, February 15th, 1866. He was appointed corporal October 1st, 1861; promoted sergeant May 11th, 1863; re-enlisted December 9th, 1863; commissioned Second Lieutenant, April 4th, 1864, and placed in command of detachment of Company G composed of non-veterans and recruits. This detachment he commanded until the return of the veterans from their furlough and Missouri campaign, when he was placed in command of the company. Was promoted Captain January 3d. 1865. Served as Provost Marshal on General Thompson's staff during the Texas campaign under General Custer.
After his muster out he returned to Dubuque, married Miss Sidonia Nailer, settled down on a farm, followed this avocation till the spring of 1874, when he sold out, and with his family visited Europe, where his youngest surviving child was born. Returning home a year later, he bought an interest in the Rockdale flouring mills, which with his partner he continued to operate until the autumn of 1884. The succeeding two years he improved and operated his farm at Manchester, Iowa,
January 1st, 1887, he opened a real estate, loan and insurance office, where at this writing, September 5th, 1890, he may be found, at the southeast corner of Main and Eighth streets. Dubuque, Iowa. He occupies a pleasant house with his wife and three children. Amanda L., Richard W. and Ida F., in the suburbs of Dubuque, Iowa, Here he expects to remain till he shall conquer his last enemy and be gathered to his fathers.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 339-40
A. W. Hosford was born June 14th, 1839, in Lorain county, Ohio, where he resided until the spring of 1855, when, with a determination to do and dare for himself, he packed his grip and started for the far west, arriving at Dubuque, Iowa, March 17th of that year. At this date no railway had penetrated the northwest as far as the Father of Waters, the terminus of the Illinois Central railroad then being Galena, Illinois. At this place he took stage for Dubuque, Iowa, a lively town of about eight thousand inhabitants. Having been brought up on a farm he sought employment as a farm hand; failing to find immediate employment in this line, he worked in a brick yard for three months, when he engaged with a farmer, receiving a man's wages, twenty dollars per month, though but sixteen years of age. Here he remained, working at whatever he could find to do, until August, 1857, when he concluded that to fight successfully the battle of life required a better education than he had yet received. So, gathering up his effects, which amounted to two hundred and fifty dollars, he returned to Oberlin, Ohio, where his mother then lived — entering college at this place, pursuing special studies until the spring of 1859, when with a depleted treasury he returned to Dubuque, Iowa. Here he at once secured a position as teacher in a public school near Reed's Chapel, where he had formerly worked. After teaching this school one term, he was appointed teacher at Rockdale, near Dubuque, which position he held until the breaking out of the rebellion.
The disaster to the Union arms at the battle of Bull Run removed all doubt from his mind as to his duty to the Government he had early been taught to love and reverence. So he immediately enrolled his name in the cavalry company then forming in Dubuque, which became Company G, First Iowa Cavalry. In this company he served till its final muster out, February 15th, 1866. He was appointed corporal October 1st, 1861; promoted sergeant May 11th, 1863; re-enlisted December 9th, 1863; commissioned Second Lieutenant, April 4th, 1864, and placed in command of detachment of Company G composed of non-veterans and recruits. This detachment he commanded until the return of the veterans from their furlough and Missouri campaign, when he was placed in command of the company. Was promoted Captain January 3d. 1865. Served as Provost Marshal on General Thompson's staff during the Texas campaign under General Custer.
After his muster out he returned to Dubuque, married Miss Sidonia Nailer, settled down on a farm, followed this avocation till the spring of 1874, when he sold out, and with his family visited Europe, where his youngest surviving child was born. Returning home a year later, he bought an interest in the Rockdale flouring mills, which with his partner he continued to operate until the autumn of 1884. The succeeding two years he improved and operated his farm at Manchester, Iowa,
January 1st, 1887, he opened a real estate, loan and insurance office, where at this writing, September 5th, 1890, he may be found, at the southeast corner of Main and Eighth streets. Dubuque, Iowa. He occupies a pleasant house with his wife and three children. Amanda L., Richard W. and Ida F., in the suburbs of Dubuque, Iowa, Here he expects to remain till he shall conquer his last enemy and be gathered to his fathers.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lothrop, A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, p. 339-40
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