History of the 85th Illinois Volunteers
Illinois Volunteer Infantry
by
Henry J. Aten

Biographies - B
 

     JESSE BAILOR was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, December 26, 1829, and removed with his parents to Illinois in 1845. He enlisted July 29, 1862, served with his company to the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He was captured at the battle of Peach Tree creek, Georgia, July 19, 1864, but was exchanged and returned to duty about two months later. After the close of the war he removed to Iowa, and now resides at Bard, in Louisa county. (Company B, Chapter 28, page 366)

     HEZEKIAH BARNES was born in Mason county, Illinois, in 1844, and enlisted as a farmer from his native county. He served to the close of the war and was mustered out with the regiment. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 352)

     REUBEN W. BARTRAM was born in Jersey county, Illinois, in 1843, and was a farmer when he enlisted from Spring Lake. He served to the close of the war, but was absent (sick) at muster out of the regiment. He was honorably discharged, and now resides at Manito, Mason county, Illinois. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 350)

     CORPORAL ISAAC G. BASH, aged twenty-one, enlisted as a private, was promoted corporal and transferred to the invalid corps. This transfer must have been made after he served through the Kentucky campaign, and probably while the regiment was on garrison duty at Nashville, Tenn. But the writer has been unable to find the date of transfer or anything relating to his subsequent career. (Company B, Chapter 28, page 366)

     GIBSON BASS was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1832, and was married and a farmer when he enlisted from his native county. He was wounded in the battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862, recovered and returned to duty with his company, but died in the hospital July 3, 1863. His remains are buried at No. 3417 in the national cemetery at Nashville, Tenn. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 351)

     CHAPLAIN JOSEPH S. BARWICK was born in Maryland, September 22, 1815, and removed with his parents to Indiana when about seven years of age, locating on a farm near Brookville, in Franklin county. He graduated from Asbury (now De Pauw) University, and was ordained a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church in 1837. After filling pastorates in Evansville and Indianapolis, he received the degree of doctor of divinity from the university from which he graduated. In the fall of 1850 he removed to Jacksonville, Ill., to accept the professorship of Latin in the Illinois Conference Female College. He continued teaching some six years, but was preaching at Havana when he was commissioned chaplain at the organization of the Eighty-fifth. This was an office so often filled by clerical adventurers that the men watched and waited before placing their confidence in the chaplain. The position was as difficult as it was thankless, and he who would fill it worthily must be pure in heart, chaste in act and clean in speech. Chaplain Barwick was thus equipped, and his presence put the men upon their honor. His care of the sick, kindly aid to the wounded and hearty sympathy for those in trouble, sealed the bond between him and the men which will hold good to the end of their lives.
     He served through the war and was mustered out with the regiment. In 1866 he removed to Missouri and became principal of a college at Glasgow, and later was in charge of a church at Saint Joseph. Returning to Illinois, he preached some three years at Griggs' Chapel, near Beardstown, and in 1877 he was transferred to the Missouri conference, and in 1878 was the presiding elder of the Linneus circuit. He was residing in Linneus, Mo., and had been superanuated a year or more at the time of his death, which
occurred on October 5, 1890.  (Chapter 26, pages 341-342)

     WILLIAM H. BECHSTEAD, aged eighteen, deserted December 25, 1862. (Company B, Chapter 28, page 368)

     FIRST SERGEANT ALBERT G. BEEBE was born in Canandaigua, Ontario county, New York, and enlisted from Manito, in Mason county, Illinois. He was chosen first sergeant at the organization of the company, was severely wounded at the battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862, and was discharged for disability arising from his wounds on February 11, 1863. He was twenty-nine years of age when he enlisted, and now, advanced in years, is residing at Manito, Ill. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 345)

     MARTIN BEEKMAN, aged twenty-two, served through the Kentucky campaign, and was transferred to the invalid corps. Date not found. He returned to Fulton county at the close of the war, and now resides at Enion, Ill. (Company B, Chapter 28, page 367)

     OLIVER P. BEHYMER, aged twenty, enlisted August 18, 1862, served with the company to the battle of Peach Tree creek, July 19, 1864, where he was wounded by gunshot in left leg. He recovered, returned to duty, and served to the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He returned to Illinois, where he died about 1885. (Company B, Chapter 28, page 368)

     THOMAS M. BELL, aged twenty-three, enlisted August 4, 1862, was wounded at the battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862. Some time after returning to duty, probably at Nashville, Tenn., he was transferred to the marine corps. He is supposed to have died, but whether in the service or since, the writer has been unable to learn. (Company B, Chapter 28, page 368)

     CORPORAL JOSEPH K. BISHOP, aged thirty-three, enlisted from Mason county, and was chosen corporal at the organization of the company. He served to the close of the war and was mustered out with the regiment. He returned to Mason county, and was living in Havana when he was killed by lightning November, 1888. (Company B, Chapter 28, page 364)

     DAVID P. BLACK (musician) was born in Blair county, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1842, and with his parents removed to Illinois in 1857. He enlisted from Mason county, served to the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. Returning to Mason county he engaged in farming, has served as school director, and was treasurer of the school board for ten years. He now resides at Manito, Ill., where he has served as trustee and president of the town board. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 349)

     SERGEANT GEORGE BLACK was born in Dalrymple, Ayrshire county, Scotland, in 1828, emigrated to Illinois and enlisted as a farmer from Mason county. He served through the Kentucky campaign, was promoted to sergeant at Nashville Tenn., and had a part in all the campaigns in which the regiment was engaged until captured at the battle of Peach Tree creek, Georgia, July 19, 1864. He was held in various rebel prisons until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged under date of June 17, 1865. He returned to Mason county, but soon after went west, and is supposed to have died.  (Company C, Chapter 29, page 378)

     CAPTAIN SAMUEL BLACK was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, July 4, 1827, and was married and a farmer when he entered the service from Mason county. He commanded the company through the Kentucky campaign, resigned at Nashville, Tenn., February 7, 1863, and returned home. He removed to Wisconsin in July, 1863, and engaged in farming in Dunn county. Has served as county clerk six years, and as justice of the peace, chairman of the town board, and member of the legislature. He has also been engaged in merchandising and in the livery business. He is retired now, and resides in Menomonie, Dunn county, Wisconsin. (Company C, Chapter 29, page 375)

     BENJAMIN F. BLAIR, aged twenty-one, enlisted August 13, and deserted November 9, 1862. (Company B, Chapter 28, page 368)

     CAPTAIN GEORGE A. BLANCHARD was born in Henderson, Jefferson county, New York, May 14, 1833, and with his parents, Aaron and Anna Blanchard, removed to Illinois and settled in St. Charles in Kane county, in 1833. He served for a time as a deputy sheriff and circuit clerk of Kane county, married Amanda Walker, March 17, 1857, and removed to Havana, in Mason county, where he engaged in general merchandise. He assisted in recruiting Company C, and at the organization of the company was elected first lieutenant. He was promoted to be captain February 7, 1863, and commanded the company until captured at the battle of Peach Tree creek, Georgia, July 19, 1864. He was held in various prisons until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged May 15, 1865. Upon his return to Havana he was appointed master in chancery for Mason county, holding the position until 1868, when he was elected circuit clerk. At the close of a four-years’ term he became the secretary of the Springfield and Northwestern railway, and was serving in that capacity when he died May 4, 1875. (Company C, Chapter 29, page 375-376)

     WILLIAM D. BLIZZARD was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1844, and enlisted as a farmer from Tazewell county. He served to the close of the war and was mustered out with the regiment. He is supposed to be living at Topeka, in Mason county, Illinois. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 352)

     CORPORAL LEWIS BOARMASTER, aged forty-one, enlisted as a private, was promoted to be corporal and served with his company until killed at the battle of Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864. His remains are buried at No. 3284 in the national cemetery at Marietta, Ga. (Company B, Chapter 28, page 365)

     GEORGE W. S. BOBBITT (musician) was born in Mason county in 1843, and was a musician when he enlisted from his native county. He served to the close of the war and was mustered out with the regiment. He is supposed to be living at Geneva, Neb. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 349)

     CORPORAL CALVIN W. BOON was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1841, and was married and a farmer when he enlisted as a private from Tazewell county. He was promoted corporal and served with his company until severely wounded at the assault on Kennesaw mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864. He was removed to the hospital at Chattanooga Tenn., where he died July 14, 1864. His remains are buried in No. 11,809 in the national cemetery on Orchard Knob near Chattanooga. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 348)

     JOHN A. BOON was born in New Berlin, Union county, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1839, and removed with his parents to Illinois in 1849. He was a married farmer when he enlisted from Mason county, served with his company through all the campaigns in which the regiment had a part, and was mustered out with the regiment. He removed to Nebraska in 1872, and was residing at Utica, in Seward county, where he died on November 24, 1899, and was buried by his comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 350)

     JOHN W. BOOTH was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1844, and enlisted as a farmer from Tazewell county. He served with his company until his health failed in the Chattanooga campaign, when he was sent to the hospital, where he died November 27, 1863. His remains are buried at No. 6398 in the national cemetery at Chattanooga, Tenn. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 351-352)

     JACOB BORTZFIELD was born in Wayne county, Indiana, December 9, 1839, and enlisted from Tazewell county, Illinois. He served with his company to the close of the war and was mustered out with the regiment. Since the war he has served as postmaster twelve years, justice of the peace thirteen years, and as constable eight years. He is now a grain dealer and resides in Parkland, Tazewell county, Illinois. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 351)

     JOHN BORTZFIELD, JR., was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1842, and enlisted from Mason county. He had been a farmer, served through all the campaigns to Resaca, Ga., where he was slightly wounded. At Peach Tree creek, Georgia, July 19, 1864, he was wounded in the right leg and was discharged for wounds, February 7, 1865. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 351)

     WILLIAM BORTZFIELD was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1838, and was a married farmer when he enlisted from Tazewell county. He served with his company until severely wounded at the battle of Peach Tree creek, July 19, 1864. His left leg was amputated, and he was shot in the left shoulder. He died in the hospital at Chattanooga, Tenn., August 14, 1864, and was buried in grave No. 2045 in the national cemetery on Orchard Knob.  (Company A, Chapter 27, page 351)

     CORPORAL ELLIS BOWMAN, aged thirty-eight, enlisted as a farmer from Fulton county, and was chosen corporal at the organization of the company. He served through the Kentucky campaign, and was discharged for disability, February 8, 1863. He returned to Illinois, resumed farming and died near Sepo, in Fulton county, in about 1875. (Company B, Chapter 28, page 364)

     JAMES M. BRADBURN was born in Perryville, Vermillion county, Indiana, February 18, 1842, removed with his parents to Illinois in 1844, and enlisted from Tazewell county. He served to the close of the war, for a year or more being mounted as a scout at brigade headquarters, and was mustered out with the regiment. He removed to Missouri in 1872, where he has served as school director, and is now residing on a farm near Metz, in Vernon county, Missouri. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 350)

     JAMES M. BRADBURN, JR., was born in Vermillion county, Indiana, in 1844, and enlisted from Tazewell county, Illinois, served to the close of the war and was mustered out with the regiment. He was wounded in the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, but soon returned to his company. He settled on a farm near Perryville, Ind., where he died soon after the close of the war. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 351)

     JOHN W. BRADBURN was born in Vermillion county, Indiana, in 1836, and was an unmarried farmer when he enlisted from Tazewell county. His health failed while in the Kentucky campaign, and he died at Bowling Green, Ky., November 1,1862. (Company A, Chapter 27, page 351)

     DAVID BRADFORD, aged twenty-one, born in Madison county, Ohio; was a farmer when he enlisted from Mason county, Illinois; served with his company until captured at the battle of Peach Tree creek, Georgia, July 19, 1864. He was thought to have died in prison, but the record shows that he was honorably discharged from Springfield, Ill., June 7, 1865. (Company C, Chapter 29, page 383)

     JOHN W. BRECKENRIDGE was born in the province of Canada West, July 18, 1837, emigrated to Lockport, Will county, Illinois, in the spring of 1850, and settled in Fulton county in 1857. He enlisted from Fulton county and served through the Kentucky and Murfreesborough campaigns and to Franklin, Tenn. In the winter of 1862-3 he was taken prisoner and held for a short time, being stripped of nearly all of his clothing, pockets rifled, and nearly every thing taken except a small pocket testament. In the summer of 1863 he was transferred to Company C, Eighth Veteran reserve corps, and was discharged therefrom October 2, 1863. Was a farmer before and since the war, and has held the following offices in Waterford township: School director and township clerk ten years, supervisor (member of county board) four years. His post office address is Lewistown, Ill. (Company B, Chapter 28, page 367)

       CORPORAL ALMON BROOKS, aged twenty-seven, born in Union county, Ohio, was married and a farmer when he enlisted from Mason county, Illinois. He was promoted corporal, served through the Kentucky campaign, and died at Nashville, Tenn., April 7, 1863. Is buried at No. 3257 in the national cemetery near that city. (Company C, Chapter 29, page 381)

     SERGEANT HENRY H. BUCK was the son of Captain Frederick Buck, a native of Denmark, and Esther Lawson, a native of Massachusetts, and was born in Havana, Mason county, Illinois, August 21, 1835. He attended the Illinois college at Jacksonville from 1854 to 1858, when failing health compelled him to quit his studies. He taught school at Bath and Mason City and enlisted from the latter place. He was promoted sergeant and participated in all the campaigns and battles in which the regiment had a part until instantly killed by a shell that shattered his skull at the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864. He was buried with so many others where he fell, but in 1866 his remains were brought to his former home, and interred in the cemetery at Havana, Ill.  (Company C, Chapter 29, page 377-378)

     WILLIAM BUFFALOW, aged thirty, enlisted August 10, 1862, and served with the company until the battle of Peach Tree creek, July 19, 1864, where he was mortally wounded and fell into the hands of the enemy. He was taken to Atlanta, where he died July 21. (Company B, Chapter 28, page 368)

     SIMON BURKHOLDER was born in Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, August 18, 1835, and removed to Illinois in 1858. He enlisted from Fulton county, served to the close of the war and was mustered out with the regiment. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864, but soon recovered and returned to duty. He enlisted in the Veteran Reserve corps in 1867, and served three years. He then enlisted in the First Regular infantry, and served until the army was reduced in 1873, when he resumed his trade at Smithfield, in Fulton county, where he now resides. (Company B, Chapter 28, page 367)

     JOHN L. BURNETT, aged thirty-two, born in Clay county, Indiana; married, and a farmer when he enlisted from Mason county, Illinois; served with his company until killed at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864. His remains are buried at No. 9313, in the national cemetery at Marietta, Ga. (Company C, Chapter 29, page 383)

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