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

CHAPTER XXXVI.
Pages 482 - 497
_____________

     Company K was enrolled by Dr. Robert G. Rider at Topeka, in Mason county, between July 18 and August 17, 1862. The men were mostly farmers from Mason county, although Iroquois, McDonough, Peoria, Stephenson, Tazewell, and Will counties were represented in its ranks. At the organization of the company the following commissioned officers were elected: Dr. Robert G. Rider, captain; Samuel Yates, first lieutenant, and Isaac C. Short, second lieutenant.

     Of the 89 officers and men of which this company was composed, 22 were hit with shot or shell, 4 of whom were killed in action, while 18 lived to be discharged or mustered out, 1 officer resigned, 29 men died of disease, 14 were discharged for disability incident to their hard service, 5 were transferred to other organizations, and 45 were present at the final muster out.

     From first to last, the company was ably commanded, and being one of the skirmish companies was well drilled in that special drill in addition to the usual drill of the others. The men were above the average in intelligence, and the surviving members of the company may justly feel proud of the part it bore in its three years’ service, and all may rejoice in the fact that they did their full share in the overthrow of the slave-holders’ rebellion.

 

THE COMPANY ROSTER

CAPTAIN ROBERT G. RIDER (promoted major. See field and staff).

CAPTAIN SAMUEL YATES was born in Fletcher, Miami county, Ohio, in 1831, removed to Illinois, was married and a wheelwright when he enlisted from Topeka, in Mason county. He had been active in recruiting, and at the organization of the company was elected first lieutenant. He served in that capacity through the Kentucky campaign and was promoted captain at Nashville, Tenn., April 6, 1863. From this time until the close of the war he commanded the company, and was mustered out with the regiment. At the close of his service he returned to Topeka and resumed work at his trade, but was killed by a boiler explosion within a few years of the close of the war.

FIRST LIEUTENANT ISAAC C. SHORT was born in Page county, Virginia, November 21, 1831, removed to Illinois in 1860, and settled on a farm in Mason county. He enlisted from Topeka and probably recruited more men for Company K than any other one man. He was elected second lieutenant at the organization of the company; served through the Kentucky campaign, and was promoted first lieutenant April 6, 1863, at Nashville, Tenn. He served with his company until the close of the war and was mustered out with the regiment. He removed to Missouri in October, 1865, where he engaged in farming and engineering. He served as marshal of Montgomery City for seven years, and now resides at Old Orchard, Saint Louis county, Missouri.

SECOND LIEUTENANT ELI F. NEIKIRK enlisted as a private; served through the Kentucky campaign, and at Nashville, Tenn., he was promoted second lieutenant under date of April 6, 1863. He served in that position until November 4, 1864, when he resigned on account of failing health. Returning to Illinois he engaged in business as a merchant at Forest City, where he died in about 1880.

FIRST SERGEANT ROBERT F. REASON, aged twenty-three, single, farmer, born in Waynesville, Warren county, Ohio, and enlisted from Havana, Ill., was chosen first sergeant at the organization of the company, but fell sick at Louisville, Ky., and died October 22, 1862. His remains are buried at No. 863 in the hallowed ground of the national cemetery at Cave Hill near Louisville, Ky.

FIRST SERGEANT JOHN N. HOLE, aged thirty-two, single, clerk, born at Salem, Washington county, Indiana, and enlisted from Havana, Ill. He was chosen second sergeant at the organization of the company; promoted first sergeant; served through the Kentucky campaign, and was discharged for disability at Nashville, Tenn., February 3, 1863. Returning to Illinois he became a merchant in Bath; removed to Belvidere, Neb., where he sold goods for several years, and then removed to Norton, Norton county, Kansas, where he was a merchant when he died a few years since.

FIRST SERGEANT SMITH B. HORSEY, aged twenty-seven, single, minister, born in Circleville, Pickaway county, Ohio, removed to Illinois, and enlisted from Forest City as a private. He served through the Kentucky campaign, and at Nashville, Tenn., was promoted first sergeant. In this position he served with his company until killed in the battle of Jonesboro, Ga., September 1, 1864. Is buried at No. 3285 in the national cemetery at Marietta, Georgia.

FIRST SERGEANT WILLIAM H. HOLE was born in Salem, Washington county, Indiana, April 13, 1836, removed to Illinois in 1856, and settled on a farm in Mason county. He enlisted from Havana, and was chosen sergeant at the organization of the company; served through all the campaigns in which the regiment was engaged; was promoted first sergeant at Jonesboro, Ga., and was mustered out with the regiment. At the close of his service he returned to Illinois, and is among the prosperous farmers of Mason county. He resides at Mason City, Ill.

SERGEANT JOHN S. WALKER, aged twenty-one, single, farmer, born in Shelbyville, Shelby county, Indiana; removed to Illinois, and enlisted from Havana. He served with his company until discharged at Chattanooga, Tenn., May 20, 1864, for disability. Upon returning to Illinois he read medicine and began to practice at Forest City, where he died, but the date of his death is unknown to the writer.

SERGEANT A. A. CARRINGTON was born in Mount Carmel, Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1836; removed to Illinois, and was farming in Mason county when he enlisted from Topeka. He was chosen sergeant at the organization of the company; served with his company through all the campaigns in which the regiment was engaged, and was mustered out with the regiment. Upon his returned to Illinois he resumed farming, and now resides at Manito, Illinois.

SERGEANT WILLIAM MASTERSON, aged twenty-two, single, farmer, born in Hagerstown, Wayne county, Indiana, and enlisted
from Forest City, Ill. He was transferred to the Fourth United States Cavalry at Nashville, Tenn., December 1, 1862. His subsequent career is unknown.

SERGEANT CHARLES POND, was born in Menard county, Illinois, November 9, 1841, and enlisted from Pekin, in Tazewell county. He was appointed wagoner, but was mounted and served two years of his term at brigade and division headquarters. He was wounded at the battle of Jonesboro, Ga., but soon returned to duty; was promoted sergeant, and at the close of the war was mustered out with the regiment. He returned to Illinois, married Rebecca A. Shubert at Havana in 1866, and in 1869 removed to Nebraska. He is a prosperous farmer in Richardson county, and resides near Shubert, Neb.

SERGEANT CHARLES ERICK was born in the Kingdom of Sweden, October 10, 1834, emigrated to Illinois in 1854, and was a farmer when he enlisted from Havana. He was promoted sergeant August 1, 1864; served through all the campaigns in which the command was engaged, and was mustered out with the regiment. He removed to Iowa and engaged in farming in Henry county, where he owns land. He now writes his name Charles E. Hult, and his address is Swedesburgh, Henry county, Iowa.

SERGEANT ADAM J. HIMMILL, aged twenty-one, farmer, born in Baden, Germany, emigrated to Illinois, and enlisted from Topeka. He was promoted sergeant; served until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. Upon returning to Illinois he engaged in farming near Topeka, where he committed suicide in about 1867.

CORPORAL THOMAS JEMMISON, aged nineteen, farmer, born in Jefferson City, Mo., and enlisted from Havana, Ill. Was chosen corporal at the organization of the company; served through the Kentucky campaign, and died at Nashville, Tenn., December 20, 1862. Is buried at No. 6069 in the national cemetery near that city.

CORPORAL JOSEPH BODLE, aged thirty, farmer, enlisted from Havana, Ill., was chosen corporal at the organization of the company; served to the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He removed to Nebraska in 1875, and engaged in farming near Pawnee City, and died there in 1892.

CORPORAL WILLIAM K. ROSE, aged thirty-two, was chosen corporal at the organization of the company; served until sent to the hospital at Danville, Ky., where he died November 8, 1862. Is buried at No. 47 in the national cemetery at the place.

CORPORAL JOHN M. DURHAM, aged thirty-two, was chosen corporal at the organization of the company, and served until the command reached Bowling Green, Ky., when he was sent to the hospital, and died there January 22, 1863. His remains are buried at No. 10526 in the national cemetery at Nashville, Tenn.

CORPORAL ROMEO MAGILL, aged twenty-one, farmer, born in Springfield, Ill., and enlisted from Topeka. Was chosen corporal at the organization of the company, and served until sent to the hospital at Danville, Ky., where he died December 8, 1862. Is buried at No. 302 in the national cemetery at that place.

CORPORAL JAMES JIMMISON, aged twenty-one, farmer, born in Boundbrook, Somerset county, New Jersey, and enlisted from Havana, Ill. Was chosen corporal at the organization of the company, and served until killed in the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864.

CORPORAL ORPHEUS AMES was born in Canton, Fulton county, Illinois, March 5, 1840, and was farming when he enlisted from Topeka, in Mason county. He was wounded at Buzzard Roost, Georgia, February 25, 1864, and again near Atlanta. Was promoted corporal, served to the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. His arm is yet stiffened from the first wound. He is engaged in farming in Oklahoma, his address being Alba, Woods county, Oklahoma.

CORPORAL GEORGE N. HOPPING was born in Aurora, Dearborn county, Indiana, December 19, 1843; removed with his parents to Illinois in 1851, and was a farmer when he enlisted from Topeka. He served with his company through all the campaigns in which the command was engaged; was promoted corporal, and was mustered out with the regiment. Returning to Illinois at the close of the war, he engaged in farming until 1890, when he removed to Nebraska. He is a prosperous farmer, and resides at Beaver City, Furnas county, Nebraska.

CORPORAL GEORGE HETZELER was born in Germantown, Montgomery county, Ohio, November 12, 1829, removed to Illinois in 1850, and settled at Bunker Hill, where he was farming when he enlisted. He served with his company to the close of the war; was wounded at the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864; promoted to be corporal, and was mustered out with the regiment. He returned to his home at Bunker Hill, Ill.; has been alderman of his town, and constable at Mason City, Ill. He resides at Bunker Hill, Macoupin county, Illinois.

CORPORAL WILLIAM H. MASSEY, aged twenty, farmer, was born in Hagerstown, Washington county, Maryland, removed to Illinois, and enlisted from Topeka. He served with his company until the close of the war, having in the meantime been promoted corporal, and was mustered out with the regiment. After the close of the war he removed to Missouri, and is supposed to be living at or near Long Branch, Monroe county.

CORPORAL CONRAD NUHN, aged twenty-four, single, farmer, born in Germany, emigrated to Illinois, and enlisted from Gilman, in Iroquois county. He served with his company until killed in the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864. Is buried at No. 9309 in the national cemetery at Marietta, Ga.

CORPORAL ZIMRI N. THOMAS, aged twenty-one, clerk, born in Columbus, Fayette county, Indiana, and enlisted from Havana, Ill. Was promoted corporal; slightly wounded in the fight at Buzzard Roost, Georgia, February 25, 1864; served to the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. After the close of his service, he settled at Oxford, Benton county, Indiana, where he died within recent years.

CORPORAL SOLOMON WEIDEMAN, aged twenty-one, farmer, born in Switzerland, emigrated to Illinois, and enlisted from Topeka. He served with his company to the close of the war; was promoted corporal, and mustered out with the regiment. After the war he engaged in farming near Manito, Ill., and was accidentally killed in 1891 by his reaper running over him.

CORPORAL WILLIAM H. WAGONER, aged twenty-one, farmer, born in Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, removed to Illinois, and enlisted from Havana. He served with his company to the close of the war; was promoted corporal, and mustered out with the regiment. He is a farmer, and now resides at Olathe, Johnson county, Kansas.

MUSICIAN JAMES B. DURDY (promoted principal musician. See field and staff).

MUSICIAN GEORGE HOAGLAND, aged thirty-three; served through the Kentucky campaign, and was discharged for disability at Nashville, Tenn., February 3, 1863. He settled at Topeka, Ill., where he died about 1868.

CLARK N. ANDRUS (promoted adjutant. See field and staff).

GEORGE ANDREWS, aged twenty-five, carpenter, born in Hessia, Germany, emigrated to Illinois, and enlisted from Woodford county. He appears to have been wounded while in the service, but the writer has been unable to fix the time and place. He served to the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. Is supposed to be dead.

WILLIAM L. BECK was born in Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, April 23, 1844, removed with his parents to Illinois in 1855, and was farming near Mason City when he enlisted. He served with his company until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He is now farming at Rogers, Benton county, Arkansas.

WESLEY C. BLAKELEY, aged twenty-three, single, farmer, born in Havana, Mason county, Illinois, and enlisted from Topeka. He served through the Kentucky campaign, and died at Nashville, Tenn., March 7, 1863. Is buried at No. 887 in the national cemetery near that place.

JOHN M. BARR, aged eighteen, farmer, born in Pekin, Tazewell county, Illinois, and enlisted from Havana. Served through the Kentucky campaign, and died at Nashville, Tenn., February 26, 1863, and is buried at No. 928 in the national cemetery near that place.

JEFFERSON BOWERS, aged eighteen, farmer, born in Indianapolis, Ind., and enlisted from Havana, Ill. He was severely wounded at the battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862, and was discharged for disability at Louisville, Ky., February 28, 1863. He died in about 1896.

NELSON BURR, aged twenty-seven, married, farmer, born in Jefferson county, New York, and enlisted from Peoria, Ill. He served through the Kentucky campaign, and was transferred to the invalid corps at Nashville, Tenn., September 1, 1863. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war, and when last heard from was living at Knoxville, Tenn.

JOSEPH R. CHAPLAIN, aged twenty-one, farmer, born in Washington, Washington county, Pennsylvania, and enlisted from Havana, Ill. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He was a brick layer, and resided until some two years ago at Parsons, Labette county, Kansas, but now resides at Everett, Snohomish county, Washington.

DAVID B. COLGLAZIER, aged thirty-three, enlisted from Havana, Ill., served in the Kentucky campaign until the command reached Danville, when he was sent to the hospital, and died December 9, 1862. His remains are buried at No. 337 in the national cemetery at Danville, Ky.

GEORGE H. COTTRELL, aged nineteen, farmer, born in Peoria, Ill., and enlisted from Forest City. Adjutant general’s report says: “Supposed dead. Last heard from Harrodsburg, Ky., October --, 1862.” His surviving comrades say “That he fell sick just before after the battle of Perryville, Ky., and was cared for at a farm house. While convalescing he over ate, and died in a relapse.”

ROBERT L. DURDY (promoted principal musician. See field and staff).

GEORGE DRAKE was born in Plainfield, Union county, New Jersey, April 5, 1846, and removed with his parents to Illinois in 1852. He enlisted from Topeka; served through the Kentucky campaign, and at Nashville, Tenn., was detailed for two months to man the heavy artillery in the defenses. Was for a time mounted at brigade headquarters, but returned to his company, and was twice wounded on the Atlanta campaign – once at Kennesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864, and again in the fight for the Sandtown road. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. After the end of his service he learned the blacksmith’s trade, and in 1874 removed to Iowa, where he has since conducted that business. He resides at Clinton, Clinton county, Iowa.

WILLIAM H. EVANS, aged twenty-three, born in St. Clairsville, Belmont county, Ohio, and enlisted from Havana, Ill. Served through the Kentucky campaign, and was discharged from disability at Edgefield, Tenn., November 25, 1862.

JACOB ELLER, aged twenty-four, single, farmer, born in Germany, and enlisted from Groveland, Tazewell county, Illinois. He
served until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He is supposed to be dead.

ISAAC FOUNTAIN was born in Spalding, Lincolnshire, England, March 26, 1838, emigrated to Illinois in 1859, was married and a farmer when he enlisted from Forest City. He served with his company until the close of war; was twice wounded – once in the battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862, and again in the fight at Buzzard Roost, Georgia, February 25, 1864. He was mustered out with the regiment, and in 1874 he removed to Nebraska and engaged in farming in Franklin county. Has been assessor, and for fourteen years a notary public. His address is Upland, Franklin county, Nebraska.

JOHN FRANK, aged eighteen, farmer, born in Germany, emigrated to Illinois, and enlisted from Mason City. He served to the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He resides at Chaflin, Barton county, Kansas.

WILLIAM GURNBELL, aged twenty-four, single, farmer, born in Germany, emigrated to Illinois, and enlisted from Forest City. He served to the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. Was farming near Warsaw, Ill., where he died February 15, 1890.

BENJAMIN H. GROVER, aged twenty-one, farmer, born in Stark county, Ohio, and enlisted form Topeka, Ill. He served in the Kentucky campaign until the regiment reached Bowling Green, where he fell sick and died January 5, 1863. Is buried at No. 10909 in the cemetery at Nashville, Tenn.

ABNER D. GRIFFIN, aged twenty-six, single, farmer, born in Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, and enlisted from Mason City, Ill. He served through the Kentucky campaign, and died at Nashville, Tenn., December 19, 1862. Is buried at No. 4322 in the national cemetery near that place.

ISAAC N. GRIFFIN, aged eighteen, farmer, born at Way, Miami county, Ohio, and enlisted from Mason City, Ill. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He died February 2, 1891.

ROBERT C. GARRISON, aged eighteen, farmer, born at Cape May, N. J., and enlisted from Mason City, Ill. He served with his company until killed in the fight at Buzzard Roost, Georgia, February 25, 1864.

JAMES GRANT, aged twenty-three, single, farmer, born in Albany, N. Y., and enlisted from Secor, Woodford county, Illinois. He died at Peoria, Ill., September 8, 1862, his being the first death in the regiment.

BENJAMIN HIBBS, aged twenty-eight, single, farmer, born at Catawassa, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and enlisted from Havana, Ill. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. Was a farmer near Poplar City, Ill., where he died in about 1890.

CHARLES E. HITCHCOCK, aged eighteen, farmer, born at Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio, and enlisted from Havana, Ill. He served through the Kentucky campaign and was discharged for disability at Nashville, Tenn., February 3, 1863. Was living in Los Angeles, Cal., until about a year ago. Is supposed to be in Arizona.

EPHRAIM HOPPING was born near Aurora, Dearborn county, Indiana, April 29, 1846, removed with his parents to Illinois in 1860, and enlisted from Topeka. He served until the close the war, but was absent (sick) when the regiment was mustered out. He was honorably discharged from the hospital at Camp Butler, Ill., but never entirely regained his health. He spent some twenty years in the South, and was living at Little Rock, Ark., at the time of his death, which occurred in July, 1896.

DANIEL T. JONESON, aged thirty, single, farmer, born in Berrytown, Kent county, Delaware, and enlisted from Havana, Ill. He served until captured, probably about Chattanooga, Tenn., but time and place are unknown, and died in Libby prison at Richmond, Va., February 4, 1864. He is supposed to be buried among the unknown dead in the national cemetery at Richmond, Va.

WILLIAM H. JIMMISON, aged twenty-five, single, farmer, born in Rockport, Mo., and enlisted from Havana, Ill. He served until the regiment reached Bowling Green, Ky., when he was sent to the hospital and was discharged for disability January 1, 1863. The pension office reports his death, but gives neither date nor place.

JOSEPH E. JACKSON was born in St. Petersburg, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1844, removed with his parents to Illinois in 1852, and was farming when he enlisted from Topeka. He served to the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn. He is engaged in farming near Miami, in the Indian Territory.

JAMES A. KELSOE, aged twenty-five, married, farmer, born in Canton, Fulton county, Illinois; enlisted from Peoria; served through the Kentucky campaign, and was transferred to the invalid corps at Nashville, Tenn., September 1, 1863. Was honorably discharged, and was living near Hesston, Harvey county, Kansas, when last heard from.

WILLIAM McKILLIP, aged eighteen, farmer, born at Liberty, Union county, Indiana, and enlisted from Havana, Ill. He served through the Kentucky campaign, and was discharged at Benton barracks, Missouri, for disability, February 24, 1863. He is said to be living at Belvidere, Thayer county, Nebraska.

HENRY F. MOHLENBRINK was born in Hanover, Germany, January 13, 1843, emigrated with his parents to Illinois in 1849, and was a clerk when he enlisted from Havana, Ill. He served with his company to the close of the war; was twice wounded – once at the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864, and again near Atlanta, Ga., and was mustered out with the regiment. Since the war he has served as township trustee and as assessor. He removed to Kansas in1879 and engaged in farming in Marshall county and in 1898 removed to Oklahoma, and is farming near Cropper, Garfield county, Oklahoma.

FRITZE MOHLENBRINK, cousin of above, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1843, emigrated to Illinois, and enlisted from Havana. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment.

JOSIAH McKNIGHT was born in Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, May 24, 1843, removed with his parents to Illinois in 1849, and was a farmer when he enlisted from Mason City. He served with his company to the close of the war, but was severely wounded at Buzzard Roost, Georgia, February 25, 1864, by a gun shot through both thighs. He returned to duty and was mustered out with the regiment. He returned to duty and was mustered out with the regiment. He returned to his former home, and is a prominent farmer at Mason City, Ill.

LESTER N. MORRIS was born near Saint Paris, Champaign county, Ohio, February 15, 1844, removed with his parents to Illinois in 1856, and was a farmer when he enlisted from Topeka. He served with his company until the close of the war; was slightly wounded at the battle of Stone River, and was mustered out with the regiment. Since the war ended he has engaged in farming and carpenter work, and is now janitor of the public school building at Lincoln, Logan county, Illinois.

ALFRED T. MORRIS, aged twenty-six, single farmer, born in Carysville, Champaign county, Ohio, and enlisted from Peoria, Ill. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment.

CHARLES MORRIS, aged twenty-two, single, farmer, born in Manchester, Adams county, Ohio, removed to Illinois, and enlisted form Topeka. He served to the close of the war, and was mustered out with regiment. Is said to reside at Havana, Ill.

JACOB H. PRETTYMAN was born in Philadelphia, Pa., July 30, 1845, removed with his parent to Illinois in 1845, and enlisted from Havana. He served with his company until the close of the war; was wounded in the assault on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864, and was mustered out with the regiment. At the close of his service he returned to Illinois, and is an architect and builder residing at Peoria.

ADONIRAM ROBINSON was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 27, 1836, and removed with his parents to Illinois in 1851. He first enlisted form Havana, August 1, 1861, in Company A, Twenty-eighth Illinois Infantry, and was discharged for disability November 9, 1861. He again enlisted from Havana, and served in Company K until discharged for disability at Nashville, Tenn., February 3, 1863. He afterward enlisted and served in Company L, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, until in 1866, when he was honorably discharged. He was a printer before the war and since had been a reporter on various papers. He settled in Elgin, Ill., in 1885, and still regards that place as his home, but is now an inmate of the National Military Home at Leavenworth, Kan.

JOHN RAKESTRAW, aged twenty-three, single, farmer, born in Warren county, Illinois, and enlisted from Havana. He died at Louisville, Ky., January 28, 1863.

CHARLES P. RIDDLE, aged nineteen, farmer, born in Germany, emigrated to Illinois, and enlisted from Topeka. He fell sick on the Kentucky campaign; was sent to the hospital at Bowling Green, where he died November 27, 1862. Is buried at No. 10673 in the national cemetery at Nashville, Tenn.

HORACE F. REASON was born in Waynesville, Warren county, Ohio, July 23, 1845, removed with his parents to Illinois in 1861, and enlisted from Havana. He served with his company until the last year of the war, when he was detached, and served as orderly at General Morgan’s headquarters until the mustered out with the regiment. Returning to Illinois he settled at Mason City, where he has been mayor, member of the county board for ten years, and is now a member of the county central committee. Address, Mason City, Ill.

WILLIAM RAMIGE was born in Mohawk, Herkimer county, New York, August 17, 1841, removed with his parents to Illinois in 1848, and was a farmer when he enlisted from Pekin. He served with his company until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He removed to Iowa in 1875 and engaged in farming in Calhoun county. His address in Rockwell City, Calhoun county, Iowa.

ABRAM SHELABARGER was born in Lima, Allen county, Ohio, October 3, 1840, removed with his parents to Illinois in 1856, and enlisted as a farmer from Topeka. He served with his company until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He removed to Nebraska in 1877, and has been farming in Furnas county ever since.

JOHN W. SHELABARGER, aged twenty, farmer, born in Lima, Allen county, Ohio, removed to Illinois with his parents, and enlisted form Topeka. He served with his company until captured near Lee and Gordon’s Mills, Georgia, in the spring of 1864, was exchanged, returned to duty, and was mustered out with the regiment. He is farming near Pawnee City, Pawnee county, Nebraska.

JAMES A. STONE was born in Washington, Washington county, Pennsylvania, was a farmer when he enlisted from Havana, Ill., at the age of twenty-one. He served with his company until captured near Leet’s tanyard, Georgia, in the spring of 1864; was exchanged and honorably discharged May 12, 1865. He removed to Missouri soon after the close of the war, and is farming near Madison, in Monroe county.

MOSES SHAW, aged twenty-seven, enlisted from Havana, and died at Louisville, Ky., November 17, 1862. His remains are buried in the national cemetery at Cave Hill, Kentucky, at No. 1047.

HENRY SPILLMAN, aged twenty-one, single, farmer, born in Danville, Pa., and was farming when he enlisted from Topeka, Ill. He served with his company to close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. At the close of the war he returned to Illinois and resumed farming, but was a resident of Cheyenne county, Kansas, when he died October 9, 1887.

JOHN SEIBENBORN, aged twenty-two, single, farmer, born in Germany, and enlisted from Topeka, Ill. He served with his company until he fell sick on the Atlanta campaign, and died in the field hospital at Dallas, Ga., May 28, 1864.

MICHAEL SPEICHT, aged twenty-one, farmer, born in Tazewell county, Illinois, and enlisted from Groveland. While on the Kentucky campaign, he was sent to the hospital at Harrodsburg, where he died October 30, 1862. Is buried at No. 359 in the national cemetery at Camp Nelson, Ky.

EVERARD TEGARD, aged nineteen, farmer; enlisted from Starfield, Ill., but was born in Jefferson, Green county, Pennsylvania. Of this soldier the muster out roll says, “Supposed to dead. Last heard from as Danville, Ky., November --, 1862.”

DAVID PATTERSON VAN HORN was born in Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, February 4, 1842, removed to Illinois with his parents in 1857, and enlisted as a farmer from Mason City. He served with his company until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He removed to Iowa, where he has prospered as a farmer; owns four hundred acres of land, and resides near Cotter, in Louisa county.

JAMES M. WHITTAKER was born in Canton, Fulton county, Illinois, August 28, 1844, and enlisted as a farmer from Topeka. He served with his company to the close of the war; was wounded in the battle at Buzzard Roost, Georgia, but recovered; returned to duty, and was mustered out with the regiment. Since the war he has been farming, and in 1891 he removed to Nebraska, and now resides at Beaver City, in Furnas county.

HENRY WENT, aged twenty-five, single, farmer, enlisted from Topeka, Ill., but was born in Hanover, Germany. He served with his company until close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. At the end of his service he settled in Chicago, where he died in about 1892.

JOHN B. WRIGHT (was promoted adjutant. See field and staff).

DAVID ZENTMIRE was born in Oregonia, Warren county, Ohio, September 27, 1840, removed to Illinois in 1861, and was farming when he enlisted from Mason City. He served with his company until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment. He returned to Illinois at the close of the war, and resumed farming, but removed to Kansas some years later, and is a clerk and assistant postmaster at Cherokee, Crawford county, at present.

JOHN ZANISE, aged twenty-one, farmer, born in Lancaster, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and enlisted from Manito, Ill. He served through the Kentucky campaign, and died at Nashville, Tenn., December 6, 1862.

_______

RECRUITS.

SEBASTIAN G. BLUMENSHINE was born in Washington, Tazewell county, Illinois, June 17, 1843, and was a farmer when he enlisted from his native town, December 12, 1863. He served until the close of the war, and when the Eighty-fifth was mustered out he was transferred to Company C, Sixteenth Illinois, where he served until July 8, 1865, when he was mustered out with that regiment. He is farming near Clearwater, in Sedgwick county, Kansas.

AUSTIN CONNET enlisted from Jackson, Ill., January 15, 1865; was transferred to Company C, Sixteenth Illinois, at the close of the war, and was mustered out with that regiment July 8, 1865.

FRANKLIN EVANS enlisted from Wilmington, Ill., January 15, 1865, and was transferred to Company C, Sixteenth Illinois, at the close of the war. He was mustered out with that regiment July 8, 1865.

N. J. KEMP – The records do not disclose the date nor the place of his enlistment, but he was present and was wounded in the fight at Rome, Ga., May 17, 1864. A piece of shell struck him on the belt buckle, driving it under the skin, but not through the wall of
the abdomen. It passed round to the back of the bone, where it was located and cut out by Surgeon Dieffenbacher. When the regiment was mustered out this soldier was absent (sick of his wound in the general hospital at Camp Butler, Ill., and was honorably discharged therefrom.) After the close of the war he settled at Sparta, Wis., where he still resides, if living.

OWEN McDONALD – The date and place of enlistment does not appear on the records of the company, but he was mustered out with the regiment. He was born in Ireland, and after the close of his service located at Havana, Ill., where he committed suicide by drowning in about 1870.

JOHN CLIFTON – No record; is a farmer and resides at Shubert, Neb.

GEORGE EMIT enlisted from Reed, Henderson county, Illinois, January 10, 1865.

DANIEL FLEMING enlisted April 10, 1865, from Buena Vista, Ill.; mustered out May 11, 1865.

PETER HELD enlisted from Chicago, Ill., October 4, 1864. No further record.

WASHINGTON SMITH enlisted from Blandinsville, Ill., November 18, 1863. Was born in Ohio county, Kentucky, and discharged without date.

GEORGE THOMPSON enlisted from Chicago, Ill., November 8, 1864. No further record.

RICHARD WILSON enlisted from Chicago, Ill., October 8, 1864. No further record.

JOSEPH ZIMMERMAN enlisted from Buena Vista, Ill., April 19, 1865, and was mustered out May 11, 1865.

    

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