From: "Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and
Brown Counties, Illinois 1892", by Biographical Review Publishing
Company, Chicago, Illinois; pages 201202, a reprinted by Stevens
Publishing Co., Astoria, Ill., 1971, is sold by the Schuyler County
Historical Society, Rushville, Illinois.
William C. Bollman, Postmaster at Browning, is a native of Pike
county, Illinois, born March 13, 1839. His parents were John and
Rebecca (Hedgen) Bollman. Both were natives of Ohio and came to
Illinois in 1837, locating in Pike county, where the father died in
1850, and the mother died in Quincy, of the cholera, when it was raging
there. There were seven children by this marriage, and two by the
former one. The brothers and sisters of William were: Michael,
deceased; our subject was the next child; Samuel, still living in Pike
county, married; John, deceased; Orville, deceased; Sarah Massey of
Fulton county, Illinois; Mary O., married; Aaron Finton resides near
Pittsfield, Illinois, The other two are dead.
William grew to manhood in Pike county, and married there Miss
Amanda Preston, of Ohio. Her parents were John and Hannah Preston. The
father died when Mrs. Bollman was a child, but the mother died in
Browning with her daughter, Mrs. Bollman.
Mr. Bollman farmed for many years in Pike county, and then
removed to Browning, Schuyler county, where he lived until 1861, when
he enlisted in Company H, Third Illinois Cavalry, as a private, and
became Quarter Master Sergeant of his regiment. He served four years
and two months, and participated in the battles of Pea Ridge; was with
Sherman when he made the attack on Haines' Bluff, at Vicksburg; was at
the capture of Arkansas Post, and from thence to Hollow Springs,
Mississippi; did scouting duty in Mississippi, and afterward had a
serious engagement at Gravelly Springs, Tennessee, and he was also
engaged in many other skirmishes and battles of less importance. After
the surrender of the rebel armies, the regiment was sent across the
plains to award the Indians, and remained there until October, 1865.
They were mustered out at Minneapolis, October 10, 1865. Mr. Bollman
returned to Browning, and engaged in farming, and remained in that
business until 1887, when he engaged in mercantile business. He was
appointed Postmaster in 1890, and still holds that position.
Mr. and Mrs. Bollman have had nine children, but only one of
that number is living, Frank, now twenty-three years of age, is married
and resides in Beardstown, Illinois. The Bollman family are of German
and Irish origin. Mr. Bollman is a Republican, though he entered the
army as a Democrat, but changed his views while in the service, and has
faithfully voted with the Republican party ever since. He is a member
of the G.A.R., also of the I.O.O.F., Browning Lodge, No. 309. He is a
P.G., and has represented his lodge for two years at the Grand Lodge of
the State. Mr. and Mrs. Bollman are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
Mr. Bollman was not the only member of his family who served in
the late war; a brother, Samuel, served three years in the Ninety-ninth
Illinois Infantry. Both escaped injury, except to general health.
