McHenry County Biographies N-R

James Nish, Treasurer of McHenry County, was born in Wilkirishire, Scotland, in 1824, a son of Nathaniel and Jane (McGeoch)Nish.  He came to America in 1851 and engaged in traveling till 1854, when he located in Cary, Ill., and the following year opened a stock of goods.  After the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted and raised Company I, One Hundred and Ninetyfifth Illinois Infantry, and was appointed its Captain.  He participated in the battle of Champion Hills and siege of Vicksburg.  From November, 1863, till April, 1864, he was detailed a recruiting officer, and was then assigned to take charge of the convalescent camp at Cairo, Ill.; and from there went to Nashville, Tenn., and Huntsville, Ala., and participated in the battle of Atlanta, Ga. He was mustered out Aug. 17, 1865, and resumed the mercanitile business.  He was the pioneer merchant of Cary, and it was through his influence that the postoffice was established there, in 1856.  He was appointed Postmaster by President Buchanan, and the position has been hold by him, his brother and son since that time.  He has served the county as Treasurer since 1875, entering upon the ninth year of his duties in 1884, his present term expiring December, 1886.  Mr. Nish was married in LaPorte, Ind., in 1853, to Caroline Dorrington, a native of England.  She was killed by lightning while standing in the store at Cary, Oct. 1, 1857.  John D., their only surviving child, is a Postal Clerk between Elgin, Ill., and Lake Genoa, Wis.  He married Orissa Crissman, of New York State.  Mr. Nish married, subsequently, Sarah R., daughter of L. A. C. Smith.  They have two children -Annie J. and Matie.  Mr. Nish is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and Grand Army of the Republic.
Source: "History of McHenry County, Illinois"-1885
Transcribed by Anne Kunzen

"Discharged at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., Mar. 31st, 1862, because of injuries received on duty. After getting rid of crutches reinlisted with [your] brother Nathan in 12th Wis Battery at Janesville for period of three years commencing Jan 5th, 1863 [I believe it was 1864 - ggg-granddaughter Sherrie Rice Smith], Captain Zickrick in command. Went thru with Sherman to the sea. Found the battle of Atlanta, Georgia, and fought the Rebels on the March whenever called on to shell them out of any place where they held advance infantry. I was under fire in the rear of Savannah, Geo. 5 days living on 2 small ears of corn a day.

Afterwards on the march north thru So. Car. near Cheraw I was taken prisoner. In Libby Prison for a couple of weeks, then paroled and made my way to Georgetown, So. Car. then to Charlestown then to Port Royal, So. Car. then to Fort T[F}ucalligo So. Car., from there took ocean steamer to Wilmington, N. Car. and there I overtook my battery, found Nathan well and the boys glad to see me.

From there we went to Raleigh, No. Car. and was there when Lincoln was assassinated. From there we came to Richmond, Va, from there to Washington and from there to Madison and was mustered out of service June 7th, 1865.

I was only wounded once, that was in the rear while on duty at the city of Savannah, by a spent ball from a shell. it struck me over the right eye in the forehead and knocked me down acting crazy for a while. I still have the ball. These are some of the most particulars."

23 July 1879 Declaration for an Original Invalid Pension:
William O. Rice who was enrolled on the 16th day of October, 1861 in company A of the First Regiment Illinois Artillery commanded by Charles W. Williard (Williards and Ballou's were prominent men in Oneida County, NY) and was honorably discharged at Pittsburgh Tenn on the 31st day of March, 1862 that his personal description is as follows: age, 37 years; height 5 feet 10 inches; complexion, light hair, brown; eyes Blue. That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of his duty at Pittsburgh, Tenn, in the State of Tennessee on or about the 28th day of February, 1862, he was thrown from a caisson while Battery was on double quick March, producing severe contusion of the right knee, and was discharged from service in consequence of same. Afterward partially recovered and enlisted again in 12 Wisconsin Batter and was enrolled on the 5th Day of January, 1864 was again discharged the 7th day of June, 1865.

That he was treated as follows: in cavalry and artillery hospital Paducah, KY, was treated by John Bowman Asst Surgeon. That his is now almost totally disabled from labor in consequence of the above record at the time state above.

Living principally in County of Trempealeau, WI.
Occupation: Mason and nearly totally disabled.

Daughter in law Bertha Rice daugher Alice Rice Anderson wrote the following: "No mention is made here of the fact that his second enlistment was made because his son, Nathan, enlisted and the father, William O., did not want his son to go alone. He did not think the son (age 17) knew what hardships he was encountering. They served together for the balance of the war. He carried a shell in his knew after his injury. My mother and father talked a great deal about him when I was young."