From Cairo

CAIRO, February 26.

Cairo is quiet to-day, and nothing of interest has transpired.  All military matters are kept secret, and under Secretary Stanton’s orders cannot be telegraphed.

The gunboats are lying in the stream.

Wounded soldiers are continually passing through here on their way home.

The Ohio is rapidly rising and is nearly choked up with drift wood, and the current is very strong.

Nothing transpired in reference to Columbus.

Reports from rebel sources represent that a stand will be made at Columbus, Randolph and Memphis, Tenn.

Forces are constantly concentrating at Memphis.  The streets are barricaded with cotton bales.

The rumored report of the pacification of Tennessee is denied.

A late Memphis paper contains a savage war message from Gov. Harris.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 28, 1862, p. 1

Report of Com. Goldsborough

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.

The Navy Department has received dispatches from Com. Goldsboro [sic], dated 20th inst.  He had received the official accounts of the visit of our vessels to Edenton and to the Currituck canal.  The light house at Cape Hatteras may now be lighted with perfect safety.

The names of the men-of-war destroyed by our vessels since the fleet reached Hatteras Island, are as follows: The Seabird, flag steamer, the Curlew and the Wanny, all steamers, and the Black Warrior, a schooner.  The steamer Edisto was captured.  A new gunboat on the stocks at Elizabeth City was also destroyed, making seven vessels in all.  The first six were remarkably well armed as gunboats.  All of them, excepting the Curlew, were destroyed or captured in the attack on Elizabeth City.  As our forces took undisturbed possession of Edenton, part of a flying artillery regiment, variously estimated from 150 to 300, fled precipitately without firing a shot.

Many of the in habitants also left in consequence.

There are no fortifications at or in the water approaches to Edenton.

Among the results of the expedition ware the destruction of 8 cannon, and one schooner on the stocks at Edenton.  Two schooners were captured in the sound; one having 4,000 bu. of corn.  Six bales of cotton were taken from the custom house wharf.  There were no public stores in the town. – The custom house was empty.

Com. Goldsborough says he remained two hours abreast of the town, and was visited by the authorities and others, many of whom professed sentiments of loyalty to the old Union.

A proclamation, dated the 18th inst., and signed jointly by Com. Goldsborough and Gen. Burnside, to the people of North Carolina, says the mission of the joint expedition is not to invade any rights, but to assert the authority of the United States, and to close with them the desolating war brought upon the State by comparatively a few men in their midst.  The proclamation concludes as follows: “We invite you, in the name of the Constitution, in that of virtuous loyalty and civilization, to separate yourselves at once from their malignant influence to return to your allegiance, and not compel us to resort further to the force under our command.  The government asks only that its authority may be recognized and we repeat that in no manner or way does it desire to interfere with your laws constitutionally established, your institutions of any kind, or your property of any kind whatever, or usages in any respect.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 28, 1862, p. 1

David T. Miller

In both the military and political service of his country David Truxton Miller has won distinction by his loyalty to the public good, his fidelity to the trust reposed in him. On southern battle-fields he has followed the stars and stripes to victory, and in the civic department of the nation's service he has labored to promote the principles which underlie good government and form the foundation upon which all stable prosperity must rest. He has inscribed his name high on the roll of Boise's distinguished citizens, and is now serving as deputy collector of internal revenue there.

Born in Ohio, on the 2d of May, 1843, Mr. Miller is of English and Irish lineage, his ancestors having come to America in 1728. Representatives of the family participated in the war for independence, and in one of the battles of the Revolution the paternal great-grandfather of our subject sustained a gunshot wound in his thigh. Although he carried the ball to the day of his death, he attained the ripe old age of eighty years. His son, David Miller, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Alexander, Virginia, and became the father of John Wesley Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania, and on arriving at years of maturity married Matilda Ford, a native of Washington county, Ohio. They became the parents of eight children, five of whom are living. Throughout his entire life the father engaged in the manufacture of iron, thus providing for his family. He lived to the advanced age of ninety years, and his wife was eighty-nine years of age at the time of her death.

David T. Miller, whose name introduces this sketch, spent the first ten years of his life in Newark, Ohio, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, a location being made at Sigourney, where he pursued his education in the public schools. Later he became a student in the Iowa State University, but left that institution in December, 1863, in order to enter his country's service as a member of Company G, Fifteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The civil war was then at its height and thousands of brave men on both sides had sacrificed their lives for the cause which they were following. It required great courage for volunteers to go to the front and take the place of those who had been shot down in battle, for the country now realized that the war was no holiday affair, but an awful actuality that carried death, destruction and sorrow with it. Prompted by an unfaltering patriotism, however, Mr. Miller donned the blue. He was with Sherman throughout his brilliant campaign and on the celebrated march through Georgia to the sea, and thence through the Carolinas, and with the victorious army participated in the grand review in Washington, "where wave after wave of bayonet crested blue'' swept through the streets of the city. Through all his service Mr. Miller was never off duty for a single day, and though often in the thickest of the fight was never wounded or disabled. In July, 1865, he received an honorable discharge and with a military record of which he may justly be proud he returned to his home.

He then resumed his interrupted education by pursuing a two years' course in the State Normal School of Iowa, after which he engaged in teaching and also read law in the office of Judge Cory, of Ottumwa, Iowa, being admitted to the bar in 1870. He then began practice in Ottumwa, continuing a member of the bar of that place until 1891, when he came to Boise and opened a law office in April. He soon won a liberal clientage, and also became active in the movements calculated to advance the interests of the city. He was very prominent in an effort to build a railroad from Boise to Butte, Montana, but on account of the financial panic which occurred this project had to be abandoned.

In his political views Mr. Miller has always been a stalwart Republican and is widely recognized as one of the influential and capable workers in the ranks of the party in Idaho. In 1892 he received the nomination of his party for representative to the state legislature, made an excellent canvass and was elected. Further honors awaited him, for after the assembling of the session he was chosen speaker of the house, in which capacity he served in a most creditable manner. His knowledge of parliamentary law, his absolute fairness and freedom from all partisan or personal bias, his uniform courtesy and urbanity, all combined to make him one of the most able speakers that has ever occupied the chair in the lower house. In the fall of 1896 he made a vigorous canvass in behalf of President McKinley, and his logical, instructive and entertaining addresses did not a little in turning the tide of favor for the Republican candidates. Recognition of his services came through his appointment to the position of deputy United States collector of internal revenue, and on the 1st of December, 1897, he entered upon the discharge of the duties of the office. The business of the office has been largely increased during his incumbency, and he is now taking in many thousands of dollars annually for the government.

On the 2nd of October, 1872, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Mary Griswold, and with their two children, Maud and Sidney, they occupy a very pleasant home in Boise, where they enjoy the warm regard of many friends. Mr. Miller is widely and favorably known throughout the state, his abilities well fitting him for a position of leadership in political, professional and social life. The terms progress and patriotism might be considered the keynote of his character, for throughout his career he has labored for the improvement of every line of business or public interest with which he has been associated, and at all times has been actuated by a fidelity to his country and her welfare.

SOURCE: An Illustrated History Of The State Of Idaho, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1899, p. 220-1

From the 15th Regiment

We learn from a private letter that Capt. Hutchcraft was wounded in the arm severely; Capt. Blackman in the back slightly; and Capt. Day in the hip.  Lieutenants Perryman, Hamilton and Fisk were killed, and J. Monroe Reid wounded in neck slightly.  Twenty-five privates were killed.

Col. Reid, Dewey and Belknap arrived at Cairo on the 12th and are probably on the way up.

- Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Wednesday, April 16, 1862

The Rebel Jones

The ex-Hon. Geo. W. Jones, having been released from Fort Lafayette, by a recent decision affecting that class of rebels, is expected home at Dubuque this week.  There are enough rebels in that city to turn out and give him a warm reception for the distinguished part he has recently played in behalf of rebeldom.  Whether they will be permitted to make any open demonstration of their sympathy with the secession proclivities of the gentleman who has cast a stain upon the fair name of Iowa, remains to be seen; but we hope there is enough Union sentiment in Dubuque to forbid the public manifestation of any such feeling.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 28, 1862, p. 1

Funeral of Capt. Slaymaker

As we mentioned yesterday, the body of the lamented Capt. Slaymaker arrived on the train from the East on Wednesday evening.  It was conveyed to the residence of Mr. H. Y. Slaymaker, where it was visited yesterday by friends and citizens.  The remains were incased in an elegant metallic coffin.  The plate bore the inscription:

CAPT. J. S. SLAYMAKER

Company C,

SECOND IOWA REGIMENT,

Killed while gallantly leading his Company in the

charge on the fortifications at the

siege of Fort Donelson,

FEB. 15, 1862.

At 2 o’clock the remains arrived at St. Luke’s Church, and were brought in and deposited in front of the chancel.  A company of the 16th regiment, under Captain Smith, numbering one hundred men, formed the escort.

The beautiful burial service of the Episcopal church was then read, Rev. Mr. Powers officiating, assisted by Bishop Lee and Rev. Mr. Judd.  Mr. Powers made a few feeling and impressive remarks on the character and virtues of the dead, speaking of him as a friend, a parishioner, a Christian, and a patriot.  After the exercises at the church were concluded, the body was reconveyed to the hearse, the funeral procession formed, and the remains taken to its resting place, Oakdale Cemetery, where another brave soldier sleeps his last sleep, and where, it is hoped, all our lost heroes may be gathered together.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 28, 1862, p. 1

Peter Walker

Peter Walker was a skillful physician.  He was a surgeon in the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry [sic] during the Civil War and lost his life in his country's cause, dying soon after the battle of Arkansas Post.

SOURCE: Portrait and Biographical Record of Marion and Hardin Counties, Ohio, p. 433, abstracted from the biographical sketch of Gen. Moses B. Walker.

NOTE:  Peter Walker served as an assistant surgeon in the 30th Iowa Infantry and not the 15th Iowa Infantry.

John C. Cook

John C. Cook, one of the leading citizens of the Rifle section of Garfield county, this state, is a native of Dearborn county, Indiana, born on October 29, 1838, and the son of Elisha and Charlotte (Briddle) Cook, the father born in the state of New York and the mother in Maryland. They settled in Indiana in very early days and remained in that state until 1852, when they moved to Iowa, locating in Wapello county. There the father became a successful and prosperous farmer. He was an ardent Republican in political allegiance, and both he and his wife were active members of the Baptist church. Their offspring numbered eight, four of whom have died. The four living are Andrew N., a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa: John C the subject of this article; and Nancy J. and Sarah E., twins, who are still living in Wapello county. Iowa. The father died in 1880 and the mother in 1886. John C., the second in age of the living children, received a common-school education and remained at home working for his parents until he attained the age of twenty-seven. He then began farming in Iowa for himself and remained there engaged in that pursuit until 1874. Before this, however, early in the Civil war, he enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company D. Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, and was in active field service until he was seriously injured at the battle of Shiloh. This disabled him for further service and he soon afterward received an honorable discharge. After spending a short time at his Iowa home when he returned from the war, he came to Colorado and settled on the Divide, north of Colorado Springs. Here he ranched and raised stock until 1885, when he moved to his present location, three miles north of Rifle. He has a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, one hundred acres of which are easily cultivated and yield abundant and profitable crops of hay, fruit and vegetables. He has a good water right to his property with a sufficient supply of water for irrigation and the wants of his large herds of cattle, and his business in both general ranching and the stock industry is extensive. He is a zealous Republican in political affiliation and takes a leading part in public local affairs. From 1888 to 1892 he served as county commissioner and in addition has held other local offices of importance, rendering good and faithful service to the county in each and winning the approval of the citizens generally without regard to party. On December 28. 1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Calvin, who was born in Edgar county, Illinois, and is the daughter of John C. and Elizabeth A. (Lewis) Calvin. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of Illinois. The father was a merchant in early life, and on retiring from this business became a farmer. He also was a stanch Republican in politics. He died in 1873. having survived his wife, who passed away in 1869, four years. They had eight children, six of whom are living, Wesley, Charles, William P., Amos, Josephine (Mrs. Cook), and Margaret, wife of Isaac N. Craven. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have had seven children. Grant died on July 12, 1880, and Elisha R. on November 8, 1903. The five living are Elmer, Frank, Harry, Josephine G. (Mrs. Ora Card, of Salt Lake City) and Roy. When Mr. Cook located on his present ranch the country was wild and undeveloped. Deer, he says, were as thick as snow-birds and Indians were numerous, but they gave the new settlers no trouble. The region was a good field for his enterprise and this was wisely and diligently employed.

SOURCE: A. W. Bowen & Co., Progressive Men Of Western Colorado, p. 76

Secretary Stanton's Devotion To His Duty

The people can appreciate Secretary Stanton’s devotion to the war, from the fact that, to dispatch certain business, he has within two weeks stayed three days and three nights in his office, having his food brought to him in a basket, and using a sofa to recline on, in the intervals of clerical preparations of papers.  At the last reception at his house, in conversation with three Brig. Generals, he publicly said:

“You must fight.  If we are defeated, it can not be helped.  If victorious, so much the better.  But you must fight.”

It is this spirit which has animated the war in Tennessee and Carolina, which will soon crush the enemy opposite the capital, save the nation from bankruptcy, and restore the Republic.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 2

Skirmish at Blooming Gap

The following is a vivid description of one of those bold exploits for which Gen. Lander is so noted.  What could surpass the cool courage of riding into a body of officers and demanding their swords?

Gen. Lander’s intention was to charge through the Gap in the night, as the position of the enemy could not be turned, and then halt his cavalry on the east side of the town, and check their retreat toward Winchester until the infantry provided for a support arrived.  It was believed that whatever force of the rebels, in the darkness and confusion the quarters of the officers could be surrounded and the officers taken before their men could form.  It was one of those dashing exploits for which this officer has been so justly celebrated.  But the enemy had retired beyond the town, and when led by the General and his staff the cavalry flew through the Gap and rallied beyond it, the bird had flown.  Col. Anastanzel was at once ordered to push forward on the Winchester road with the cavalry, reconnoiter, and, if possible, overtake and capture the baggage of the enemy.

Gen. Lander meantime brought up Col. Carroll with the 8th Ohio regiment, and the 7th Virginia, Col. Evans, for a support.  Col. Anastanzel encountered the enemy at the head of the pass, two miles from Blooming.  He was met by a sharp fire, and halted his command, instead of pushing through to the front.  On hearing the firing Gen. Lander came up and ordered Anastanzel forward.  The men faltered before the musketry of the enemy, when Lander saying “follow me,” halting at the head of the column only long enough to tell the men to remember their holy mission and follow their General to victory.  His appeal was answered by one private named John Cannon, a Virginia refugee.  Gen. Lander charged, followed by Major Armstrong, Ass’t Adj’t General; Fitz Jas. O’Brien, the well known poet, of his staff, and Major Bannister, Paymaster U. S. A. who had volunteered for the expedition.  A group of rebel officers were distant about 300 yards, encouraging their men.  Gen. Lander being mounted on his celebrated horse, outran the rest of the party, and cut off the retreat of the rebel officers, “Surrender, gentlemen,” he said and coolly dismounting, extended his hand to receive the sword of Col. Baldwin, whom an instant before he had appeared, to outside observers, to be riding directly over.  Five of the rebel officers surrendered to Gen. Lander, and four more immediately afterward, to the officers of his staff, among them the Assistant Adjutant General of Gen. Carson.

By this time the rebel infantry, perceiving the small number of their adversaries commenced a heavy fire from the woods, but the cavalry had recovered from its panic and now poured up the hill.  Gen. Lander once more ordered Anastanzel to charge up the road and capture the baggage of the enemy.  The cavalry dashed forward; the advance guard soon overtook and turned out of the road fifteen wagons and horses, but the main force of the cavalry seemed paralyzed and would not face the fire.  Two of the gallant privates in front were shot by the enemy, who had again rallied and there was another check.  Colonel Evans now came up with his regiment of infantry, and captured many more of the rebels.  Gen. Lander shot at one of his own cavalry men who refused to go forward, saying, “The next time I’ll hit you, and if you don’t clear the road this regiment I shall deploy and fire upon you.”  Col. Carroll then came up; “Go on,” said Gen. Lander to Carroll, “we need you now – clear them out and take their baggage.”  Col. Carroll cleared the road as he went, both infantry regiments behaving admirably; following the engaging enemy to the last, until ordered back.  The pursuit was continued eight miles.

The result of this affair was the capture of 18 commissioned officers and 45 non-commissioned officers and privates.  Thirty of the rebels were killed, with a loss on our side of seven killed and wounded.  Col. Carroll drove the enemy beyond the limits of Gen. Lander’s department and returned.

Gen. Lander has applied to the Governor of Maryland for the promotion of John Cannon to a Lieutenantcy.

Gen. Lander subsequently made complaint to Secretary Stanton of Col. Anastanzel’s unsoldierly conduct.  The following was the Secretary’s characteristic reply:–

WAR DEPARTMENT, Feb. 13 1862.

“If Gen. Lander is satisfied that Col. Anastanzel was guilty of cowardice or misbehavior before the enemy, he may be tried on the spot, and if found guilty, the sentence of death may be executed on the spot, or he may be cashiered by his commanding General at the head of his regiment.  The former course is recommended as the preferable one.  Cowardice in an officer, exhibited on the field of battle should receive the swift punishment of death.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of war.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 2

Ben McCulloch

Ben McCulloch is finally dead.  This time there is no mistake.  The fact is confessed by his own friends, and made the subject of a special order.  His “last moments” are described as having been ludicrously tragic.  He would not believe that his time had come – swore and raved terribly – vowed that it wasn’t in the power of the Yankees to kill him.  Finally feeling himself going, and being told he had but a few minutes to live, he exclaimed, “Ho, Hell,” turned his face away and expired.

His death rids the earth of a great scourge.  He was a man of infamous principles and infamous life.  Few had done more to foster lawlessness – few had done more to corrupt the people.  He was one of the leading spirits of the rebellion in the Southwest; and his voice and example were potent in spurring his half savage followers to deeds of violence and brutality.

And yet we are told he had little of the ruffian in his appearance.  In his normal moods he was the

 – “Mildest mannered man

That ever scuttled ship or cut a throat.”

He was soft of speech, [illegible] and could enact the polished gentleman to the life.  It was only when his passions were aroused that the desperado shone forth. – Albany Evening Journal.

– Published in The Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862, p. 1

Newspapers . . .

. . . with less than two thousand circulation, or whose receipts are less than one thousand dollars per annum for advertisements, are excepted from any advertising tax.

– Published in The Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862, p. 1

Human Life

Men seldom think of the great event of death until the shadows fall across their own path, hiding forever from their eyes the traces of loved ones, whose living smiles were the sunlight of their existence.  Death is the great antagonist of life, and the bold thought of the tomb is the skeleton of all feasts.  We do not want to go through the dark valley, although its passage may lead to paradise; and with Charles Lamb we do not want to lay down in the muddy grave, even with kings and princes for our bed-fellows.  But the fiat of nature is inexorable.  There is no appeal from the great law which dooms us to dust.  We flourish and fade as the leaves of the forest; and the flowers that bloom and within in a day have not a frailer hope upon life than the mightiest monarch that ever shook the earth with his footsteps.  Generations of men appear and vanish as the grass, and the countless multitude which fills the world to-day will disappear as the footsteps on the shore.

– Published in The Cedar Falls Gazette, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1862, p. 1

The Queen’s Address

The following paragraph contains all that Queen Victoria, in her address to Parliament, had to say of American affairs: –

“A question of great importance, and which might have led to very serious consequences, arose between Her Majesty and the Government of the United States of North America, owning to the seizure and forcible removal of four passengers from on board a British mail packet by the commander of a ship-of-war of the United States.  The question has been satisfactorily settled by the restoration of the passengers to British protection, and by the disavowal of the United States Government of the act of violence committed by this naval officer.  The friendly relation between Her Majesty and the President of the United States are therefore unimpaired.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 2

The Credulity of the Secessionists

From the Richmond Dispatch of the 1st.

A SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

On Thursday night, a stranger, wending his way through Capitol Square, encountered a good-natured news seeker, and informed him that he was going to the President’s house with an official dispatch of the great battle of Bowling Green, where seven hundred Federals  were killed, one thousand made prisoners, and the rest driven into the river.  This news, he said was strictly true, and it was his proud office to communicate it in person to the President.  The listener rushed into the capitol, wrote it all down, marked it “official,” and sent it immediately to the officers of the House of Delegates.  It was silently read, then passed from one to another until finally a member arose and asked that proceedings might be suspended for the purpose of acquainting the House with some highly favorable news.  The dispatch was then read, and its “official” character explained.  Instantly the hall resounded with a shot of joy and the members gave full license to their expressions of congratulation.  They were, however, somewhat mortified the next morning when they found that the much abused newspapers failed to confirm the story of the victory at Bowling Green.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 2

Speaking his Mind in a Crowd

Among the crowd of persons who were on the levee yesterday morning, looking at the steamboats loaded with the Fort Donelson prisoners, was one individual who made himself quite prominent by the tone and manner of his conversation; remarking that the prisoners on those boats “had, if the truth were then known, more friends than they would have had were they Union men in the hands of the secessionists,” with much more of a seditions sort of winding up by saying, “It’s not safe for a man to speak his mind now-a-days in this city, for he does not know his friends from his foes, as people are often arrested for remarks made in common conversation, and there might be an officer in this crowd now, in fact, nearer me than I am aware of.”

“That’s so; I am that man; and you must come along with me,” broke upon the astonished ears of the secessionist, who was none other than W. J. Stratton, Esq. of this city, who felt a heavy hand laid upon his shoulder.

“What does this mean?”

“It means that I arrest you for treasonable language.”  At the same time the officer displayed to the astonished vision of Mr. Stratton a silver shield, warn as a badge, with “U. S. Police” legibly engraved thereon.

The upshot of the whole affair is that Mr. W. J. Stratton is now confined in the city military prison, corner of Fifth and Myrtle streets, where he will have ample time to reflect on the consequence of “speaking his mind in a crowd.” – Mo. Dem.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 2

Sponges

The Clinton Herald says that, “it may be taken as an invariable rule that those who require most of an editor, are they who do the least toward the support of his press; and those who complain most of the conduct of his sheet, are they who are its constant readers, but whose names do not appear upon the subscription list, or if by chance they are so recorded, they are sure to point to a long arrearage dues unpaid.”  True, every word of it; but editors are generally good natured people, and so they submit to it.

                                   

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 27, 1862, p. 2

Josiah Houdescheldt

Josiah Houdescheldt, one of the first settlers of Mills county, Iowa, removing to that state from Virginia in 1856. He was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry. He held membership in the Christian church and died in that faith in 1872, when fifty-two years of age. His wife passed away in Mills county, Iowa, on the 22d of February, 1869, when forty-five years of age, loved and respected by all who knew her.

SOURCE: A Biographical And Genealogical History Of Southeastern Nebraska, Volume 2, p. 750, abstracted from the biographical sketch of Peter D. Starr.

George Bennett

George Bennett, died in Illinois, was a son of Wesley Bennett, and served his country as a soldier in the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry. His death occurred in 1882.

SOURCE: A Biographical And Genealogical History Of Southeastern Nebraska, Volume 2, p. 1024, abstracted from the biographical sketch of Daniel Mather.

Henry C. Welch

Henry C. Welch, who is now filling the position of commander of J. W. Moorehouse Post No. 188, G. A. R., at Tobias, Nebraska, well merits representation in this volume not alone because of his excellent army record but also because he is one of the early homesteaders of the county, having established his residence here on the 20th of May, 1871. He secured a tract of land from the government, and with the agricultural interests of the county has since been closely identified.

Mr. Welch was born in Lake county, Illinois, about forty miles north of Chicago, where Zion City now is, and is a son of Daniel and Caroline (Parker) Welch, both of whom were natives of Vermont, in which state they spent the days of their childhood. After their marriage they came to Illinois in 1846, settling in Lake county upon a farm, and subsequently they removed to Will county, Illinois, residing near Joliet, and in 1853 they removed to Iowa, settling near North English, in Iowa county. The father devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. In politics he was a Republican, and as a citizen was always loyal to the best interests of the community in which he made his home. He died in Iowa at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife passed away in Iowa at the age of thirty-three years. She left seven children, three sons and four daughters, namely: Henry C, Albert, Clarissa, Emma, Almeda, David H. and May.

Henry C. Welch was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, spending the days of his childhood and youth in Illinois and Iowa. He attended the public schools through the winter months and in the summer seasons assisted in the work of the fields. Experience, reading and observation have added greatly to his knowledge and made him a well informed man. He was a resident of Iowa until 1871, when he came to Saline county and secured a homestead near where the town of Tobias has since been built. He has here one hundred and sixty acres of land constituting a very desirable farm. Its splendid appearance is due to his efforts, for when the property came into his possession it was unimproved. The place is located on section 10, township 6, range one east, in Atlanta township. The first house was a little board shanty eight by sixteen feet, and in the succeeding fall he built a sod house twelve by sixteen feet. Many hardships and discouragements were to be faced, but with resolute spirit he met all the difficulties that lay in the path to success. - In the year 1874 the grasshoppers entirely destroyed all crops, and droughts were caused by hot winds, while the blizzards of winter also proved detrimental, but Mr. Welch never faltered in his determination to make a good farm in Nebraska and his labors were at length crowned with a gratifying measure of success. He continued to reside upon his farm until 1890 and he still owns the property, upon which is a substantial residence, good barns, an orchard and grove, and many other modern accessories. His residence is a modern structure comfortably furnished, and hospitality there reigns supreme. He owns in all two hundred and forty acres.

Mr. Welch was married in Marengo, Iowa, in 1865, to Miss Malinda J. Baldwin, a daughter of Noah and Lydia E. Baldwin, of Iowa, who removed from Ohio to the Hawkeye state in 1854, becoming early residents there. The father's death occurred in the Buckeye state, and the mother is still living in Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Welch have been born five children: Cora M. Hall, who is now living near Friend, Nebraska; Mrs. Caroline A. Porter, a resident of Atwater, Ohio; Elmer S., who is serving as cashier of a bank in Cameron, Illinois; Mrs. Mellie A. Upton, of Tobias, Nebraska; and Marietta, at home. The children were all provided with good educational privileges, and Elmer S. finished his course in Elliott's Business College at Burlington, Iowa.

Mr. Welch is numbered among the veterans of the Civil war, for on the 31st of October, 1864, he enlisted at Grinnell, Iowa, as one of the boys in blue of Company K, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry. He served under Captain William McDowell and Colonel George P. Premott. He went from Iowa City to the south and marched through Georgia with General Sherman's army. He was also at Columbia, South Carolina, took part in the Carolina campaign and was in the battle of Bentonville when General Joe Johnston surrendered. He afterward marched on to Richmond, thence to Washington, D. C, where he participated in the grand review, which was the closing ceremony of the long and great struggle which was necessary to preserve the Union in. tact. He was then honorably discharged in the capital city on the 26th of June, 1865. He votes with the Republican party and has filled a number of local offices. He has also been a delegate to the county conventions and is active in support of the interests of his friends. A leading member of the Grand Army of the Republic in southeastern Nebraska, he is now serving as commander of the post at Tobias, and is popular with the members of that organization, and with the citizens in general throughout this portion of the state. As and energetic, upright and conscientious business man and a gentleman of attractive social qualities, he stands high in the estimation of the entire community.

SOURCE: A Biographical And Genealogical History Of Southeastern Nebraska, Volume 2, p. 756-9