On our last posting, we revealed the second marriage of Catherine (Foy) REIF, to Samuel NEITZ in 1869. The pension detectives found the paperwork to prove this marriage, and no paperwork that Catherine had reported the marriage. That would have suspended her pension support from the government. She continued to receive support during this second marriage. Catharine's pension support ended June 6, 1875, upon her marriage to Simon Geeting, who passed away in 1905.
page 178-179/220 of the Reif Civil War Pension files
The Declaration for Widow's Pension, Act of September 8, 1916. Notice: this can be executed before a Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, or a Court of Record, or any officer duly qualified to administer oaths.
This form is typed, with a notation that the official is a Justice of the Peace. Catherine Geeting is now aged 73, still living in Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois. Furthermore, it repeats all of the facts regarding Ernst Reif and his service in the U.S. Army, Company H of the 34th Illinois Infantry. It confirms that she was married to Ernst (the second time, because the first could not be proven from 1861) on October 4, 1863, officiated by Rev. J.K. Bloom. Catherine Geeting has signed her name to this document. Also signing as witnesses to the document: Jacob F. SWANK and High S. STANLEY, both of Forreston, Illinois. Cyrus BILLIG has signed as the Justice of the Peace, dated October 14, 1916.
Page 180/220 The official record of the second marriage of Catherine
The affidavit from the county clerk of Ogle County, in the town of Oregon:
I, Robert F. Adams, clerk of the county court in and for said county, hereby certify that Samuel L. Neitz and Mrs. Catherine Rife (sp) were joined in Matrimony on the 20th day of May, 1869 by J. N. MOHR, Minister of the Gospel in the said county, as appears on the records in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of said county, at Oregon, Illinois this the 24th day of February, 1917. signed Robert F. ADAMS, clerk of the county court, Lillie SHELLEY, Dep. Clerk
Page 181-186/220 The Divorce Decree: Catherine vs Samuel
handwritten document, dated January 31, 1873, State of Illinois, County of Ogle, Circuit Court
Catherine NEITZ appears with her attorney, Thomas J. HEWITT, with summons issued against Samuel L. Neitz. The county Sheriff has returned the summons to the court, without being able to find Samuel in this county, and inability to locate him elsewhere. Proof of the publication of this summons was shown to the court, and approved. It was considered that Samuel NEITZ has willfully deserted Catherine for over two years without just cause, since the ninth day of September, AD 1869. Catherine has received no word or support from Samuel during this time. It has been decreed that the bonds of matrimony between both parties are hereby dissolved. Both parties are at liberty to marry again in like manner as if they had never been married. Catherine was ordered to pay the costs and charges of the court of this suit. Signed by W. W. HEATON, Judge.
Clerk of the Circuit Court notes that he certified the foregoing decree is a true, full and perfect copy of the decree in the said case as appears in the records of his office, Record E Chancery, page 210
signed H.P. LASON, clerk. The gold seal of the county is affixed to this document
Page 187/220 General Affidavit, Henrietta Swank
Sister of Catherine, Henrietta Swank, age 63, appears in the matter of Catherine Geeting, formerly widow of Ernst C. Reif, deceased veteran. She testifies her statement to the Notary Public, William H. HETRICK, age 69, both being residents of the town of Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois. The statement reads that Catharine is will known to the Swanks, and know from personal knowledge that she has never married since the death of her late husband, Simon Geeting, and that they are of such close acquaintance with her, as that they would have known if she had re-married, and that at this date she is still unmarried. Both Henrietta Swank and William H. HETRICK sign the document. Notary Public, Joseph M Myers, certifies this document.
Page 188-191/220 Rejection of the Widow's Request
Rejection on the grounds of no title under the Act of March 3, 1901, Catherine was not proven to be the wife of the soldier during the period of his military service, even though cohabitation and the birth of a son, soon deceased, occurred prior to his return from service. Only the marriage decree of 1863 was recognized. signed by the legal examiner, R. L. FORD. This document goes further to say the claimant, Catherine Geeting, does not write.
Page 192-195/220 Index, Tally sheet for the claim of Catherine Geeting, remarried widow of Ernst Reif
The page mentions 19 records of proof of marriages, co-habitation, soldier's disability, dependency and general assessment of the case using the testimony of the listed persons who have been previously mentioned. Following are copies of claims submitted by Catherine, supposedly signed by Catherine (remember that the rejection notice stated that Catherine did not write)
So, dated Dec 13, 1905, Edward Haller, Notary Public, swears that Jacob F. PYFER and Minnie H. GEETING, both of Forreston, Illinois, witnessed Catherine Geeting sign her name to the documents, and that they have both known her for thirty years and twenty-five years, respectively. Signatures of both appear on this witness document. The signatures look eerily like that of the script used for the signature of Catherine Geeting, known to not be able to write.
Pages 196-203/220 Letters from Congress and the Pension Bureau, 1917
Apparently, someone (Mr. Edward HALLER???) had been inquiring about the status of Catherine's widow's claim for support. There are a series of letters written to Mrs. Catherine GEETING, from the Pension Commissioner, G.M. SALTAGABER,regarding her widow's claim. A February letter asks her to send some proof of her marriage to Knight (meaning NEITZ) and a death of him or divorce decree. Also, they ask her to send testimonies of persons having knowledge of her and her marriages. Haven't we been down this road previously?
Also, letters to and from the State Representative, John C. McKENZIE, House of Representatives, stating that this claim of Catherine's has been rejected because of her multiple marriages. They mention the Widow's claim filed in October of 1916, being the last one filed and rejected, along with all documentation attached.....the ones with Catherine's signature......and she could not write.????
There is a letter from acting commissioner, E.C. TIEMAN, to Rep. John McKENZIE, House of Representatives, Wash. DC, stating that the claim of Catherine's is now being considered! What? This letter is dated July 6, 1917. They previously said it had been rejected.
Pages 204-215/220 Repeated records of files previously in this claim packet
Pages 216-218/220 Folded forms filed for the support of the minor child of Ernst Reif
Ludwig FOY, father of Catherine, was named the legal guardian the child of Ernst REIF, Mary REIF. The support payments were given to Ludwig Foy, until the 16th birthday of Mary REIF.
Page 219/220 A letter to Representative Frank O. LOWDEN, June 1, 1907
From the office of the Acting Commissioner of the Pension Bureau, stating that Catherine's pension claim as a remarried, but now widow, dated 1906, filed by herself without representation had been rejected because it could not be proven that she was the lawful wife of Ernst REIF on the day of his enlistment into military service, as required by the provisions of the pension act. This, indeed was the last claim that Catherine, herself, had filed.
The claims submitted after this were inducted by Edward HALLER, himself, as was his practice until he was finally caught. He insisted that widows asked him to file for pensions, and if so awarded, they would give him part of the support payments.
Page 220/220 the ending cover of this lengthy soap opera.
Edward HALLER did not have a good future. In 1919, he was accused of having a cache of alcohol in the attic of his drug store in Forreston, Illinois. His store was raided and he was arrested. Federal officers took the 1200 whisky bottles stash. Apparently, Mr. HALLER had the alcohol shipped into the county under the label, "Malted Milk". The federal agents followed the purchase of the booze in Chicago, which had been shipped in barrels to Harper, Illinois. It was then transported by team and wagon to Forreston, Illinois under cover of night. The final delivery was made at midnight at Haller's Drugstore. He was prosecuted under the Illinois search and seizure act, and under the Federal war-time prohibition act. He claimed that he had no intention of breaking the laws, and had the right to store the wet goods for legitimate purposes.
Showing posts with label Civil War Veterans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Civil War Veterans. Show all posts
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Using Civil War Pension Files, Part IV : the Case of Ernst C. Reif
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| Author's own photo, Fullersburg Cemetery salute, 2016 |
We begin with the Widow's Brief No. 2, claim #228.542 The soldier : Ernest Reif The examiner : Geo. W. Taylor
Sub. for final review June 12, 1879
Rejected - Widow with Children
228.542 cert. no. for original and increase. Brief app'd Nov 22 1878
Title : Catherine Reif now Geeting, widow of Ernest Reif who was a private and pensionable rank of private in Company H 34th Regiment Illinois Infantry
Residence of the claimant, Forreston in the county of Ogle, state of Illinois Post office : same location
Attorney : JP Jones, of Rockford, Winnebago County Illinois having been filed Feb 19, 1877
Incidental Matters : Soldier had invalid claim, which was paid up to Sept. 4, 1867.
This widow is rejected on the grounds that she has no title. She did not apply within 5 years after the death of this soldier, and she had remarried.
Minors claim this day briefed for admission
The Summary of Material Facts :
Widow remarried June 6, 1875 to Simon Geeting.
The particulars of the injury suffered by Ernest Reif are repeated, having been wounded at the Battle of Stone River, non functioning leg and use of a crutch until his death.
Skip to Page 113/220
A Declaration for Original Pension of a Widow, Child or Children under Sixteen years of age surviving.
This page further describes the relationship of Catharine Geeting, formerly Catherine Reif, widow of Ernst, his wound listed at Murfreesboro, Tenn. on the 31st of December 1862. His death recorded October of 1867
After his death, the widow married Simon Geeting on the 6th day of June, 1875
A child was born unto Ernest and Catharine , a female, on August 2, 1867
Records show that Ernest had never been married before he and Catherine were wed.
Page 115/220 Statements from the Attending Physician of Ernest C. Reif
A statement in the state of Illinois in the County of Carroll, John W. Frazy, MD, of Lanark,Carroll County, Illinois.
He certifies his statement that he was well aquainted with Ernest Reif before he enlisted into the army, and was described as sound. The Dr. was the physician of Ernst Reif after his return from the Army and treated him up to the date of his death, on the 19th of October 1867, and his death was the result of the gunshot wound received by Ernest while in the army.
Officially sealed, State of Illinois Notary Public, Alvaro Shumway, dated 10th of Oct 1876
Title page mentions the name of Ludwig Foy, father of Catherine Foy Reif Geeting. as he is the legal guardian of Mary, minor child.
Page 117-118/220
An additional statement from Dr. Frazy, now living in Woodbury County, Iowa, and this statement continues to repeat as in the aforementioned document that Ernst was sound when entering the army, and left an invalid upon his return. He was a constant infirm from that leg wound which rendered him unfit for business labor for the rest of his life. dated January 22, 1877
Page 119-120/220
Another statement from Dr. Frazy, of Woodbury County, Iowa, now living in Sioux City.
This statement a bit shorter about the death of Ernest on Oct 19, 1867 of the extended infection from the same wound, problems commencing in the hands and extending to the body, the result of long continued suffering and low vitality, from the time he returned from the army until his death, entirely incapacitated for manual labor and a continual sufferer. This dated May 13, 1878, officially sealed by State of Iowa, Notary Public, Madison B. Davis
Page 122/220
A handwritten letter, dated Dec 17, 1877, Sioux City, Iowa
To J. Jones, Rockford, ILL
Dr. Frazy states that he was not issued a copy of his former statements so he is trying to make this statement to the best of his memory, which is of no help because his memory is not refreshed from the records or conversations, and that he cannot recall with certainty any statement, now, from him that might in some points be a contradiciton....signed JW Frazer. clearly this man is elderly.
Page 123/220 The Birth of Child, Mary Reif
A statement from Dr. Frazy that clearly states that he was the attending physician at the birth of Mary Reif, at 8 oclock a.m. August second 1867, and that he was the attending physician with the said Catherine Reif at the birth of said child. Clearly signed by John W Frazey, MD. officially sealed
State of Illinois, Carroll County, dated the 10th of October 1876. signed notary Alvero Shumway
Page 125/220 The Marriage of Ernst and Catherine Reif
An official certificate of Record of Marriage, State of Illinois County of Ogle, filled out by Albert Woodcock clerk of the county , certifies that Ernest Reif was married to Catharine Foy on the 4th day of October 1863 officiated by Rev J. K. Bloom, Minister of the Gospel. This office was located in Oregon, Illinois and dated 17 Oct 1876
Page 127/220 Yet Another Written Statement from Dr. Frazy
The letter dated Oct 22, 1878, Sioux City, Iowa.
Basically it states that in his opinion the the infection that killed Ernst was caused by the wound in his leg and hip, and which his suffering had been great that the pain in the hip and leg caused the loss of sleep, loss of appetite, general debility, nervous demeanor, bad blood and a condition of low vitality. He treated him during this sickness until the time of his death, signed JW Frazey MD
Page 130/220 Another Rejected Claim
Claim 184488 claimant Catherine Geeting, date of filing May 18, 1908, declaration
Catherine tried to apply for pension help again, giving the same information as before, and asking for $12/month
It was REJECTED..July 3, 1908, rejection on the grounds of no title under the Act of April 19, 1908, claimant having remarried (ceased to be a widow) prior to the date of filing for claim. This now gives the date of death of her husband, Simon Geeting, March 7, 1905.
An addition document once again repeats the information about Ernst, only this one typed, not handwritten, in red ink. certified by State of Illinois Notary Public, Edward Haller...REMEMBER THAT NAME
Pages 132-146/220 Letters of Guardianship and Childs Pension Approval
pages contain all proofs of letters of guardianship by Ludwig Foy for the care of his grandchild, Mary Reif, until her 16th birthday in 1883. Two men, George Balsbaugh and Philip Smith sworn statements that Mary Reif was the legal child of deceased Ernst Reif, and that they personally knew this family very well.
Page 148/220 Certification of Remarriage of Catherine Reif to Simon Geeting
Simon and Catherine married on 6th June, 1875, by H D Healey, Minister of the Gospel, Certified by the county court record in Oregon, Ilinois on 18 Feb, 1913
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| U.S. Flag of 1861, images.google.com |
NOW TO THE MATERIAL IN QUESTION BY THE PENSION AUTHORITIES
These pages contain records of duly sworn statements of witnesses by Edward Haller, Notary Public
of Ogle County, Illinois. In various areas of this file Mr. Haller states that he is filing this case under the direction and request of Catharine Geeting. Various persons who knew the families of both Ernst Reif and Catharine Foy made statements, under the thought that this was for the well being and support of the widow Geeting, after all, she had been a widow for the past 15 years, and probably needed some support. In various cases, a "signature" of Catherine is recorded, and in some cases, her name printed with her "mark", an X, indicating that she could not write.
PAGE ONE : Haller gives his own bio briefly, and then tells the story of how he knew the Foy family very well, having lived in the same town, Forreston. Haller's parents knew the parents of Catherine Foy (Ludwig and Magdalina). They all belonged to the same church. Furthermore, at this date, his parents and the Foys were deceased. Haller knew the siblings of Catherine, and mentions their names, Lewis, Edward, Louisa, Henry and Maggie Foy. Henry Foy was the Sunday School teacher for Haller. Catherine Foy worked for Haller's parents as a domestic, and witnessed the birth of Haller. Haller remembers visiting Catherine at her home and playing with her little child. He affirmed that he knew Catherine and Ernst Reif were legally married. Upon returned from the War, Catherine's parents found out that the Marriage License was never place on record in the County of Ogle, They were wanting Catherine to leave Ernst and not live with him anymore. Their strong German Lutheran beliefs did not support the idea of unmarried men and women living together. Catharine remarried Ernst in the laws of the Lutheran church, Rev. JK Bloom, officiated the ceremony, Haller said he knew the minister very well. Regarding Ernst Reif, he stated that he was the janitor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Forreston, up until the date of his death, and lived a few doors from the Church. Haller stated that all the old folks cried over the disasters of the War. Haller said he knew of Catherine and Ernst being married in 1861. He knew Catherine to be a good woman.
PAGE TWO: Edward Haller, notary, said that he had a hard time explaining the importance of all the questions being asked to Catherine. It was only by chance that Haller discovered someone who had been at her first marriage in 1861, before Ernst enlisted in the Army. Henrietta Swank (nee Foy), sister of Catherine, and Jacob Swank, her husband and President of the Trustees of Schools, previously the Supervisor of Forreston Township and Deputy Factory Inspector, and Treasurer of the Trustees of Schools, would never say or do anything to discredit her husband. Haller also mentions Hugh S. Stanley of Forreston, the Round House Foreman. Haller states in the last paragraph that his has no interest in being paid for this writing filing, and believes that Catherine should receive the pension that she applied on 15 Dec 1905 .
Witnesses Signatures : Riley M Garman and C A Walters
Notary Signature and stamp by Martin H. Earle
seals stamped March 8, 1913 by Law Division and Pension Office. Civil War Division stamp Mar 20 1913.
PAGE THREE: title page
PAGE FOUR: Jacob F. Swank, swore under oath that he is over 54, and has lived in the area for over 40 years. He states that he knows Catherine Geeting, formerly Foy and Reif, and knew her as the widow of Ernst Reif and Simon Geeting. He states that he know Catherine has never married since the death of Mr. Geeting, and trusts that Haller would have found evidence of such. He signs his name as Jacob F. Swank on May 9, 1908. This document seals and stamps : May 18 1908 by both the Pension Office and the Congressional US Bureau of Pensions. May 19 for the Law Division. Edward Haller, signed and sealed as Notary.
PAGE FIVE AND SIX: William Sloggett, swore under oasth the his is over 62, and he has lived in this area since 1855, except for the time in the war. He enlisted as a soldier during the War on February 24, 1964 in the 34th Infantry company H of the Illinois Infantry. He was discharged on July 12 if 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky. He states that he knew Ernst Reif very well, as he saw him enlist into the Army in 1861, and he returned with an honorable discharge and a wound of his left leg. He knew that Ernst passed away as a direct cause of his wound. His father ran a hotel, now owned by FJ Acker, and Ernst lived on the same block as the hotel. He knew that Ernst had married Catherine upon his return from the War, remembered attending the party at their home, which was across the street from the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He knew that Ernst was a cabinet maker before the War, but upon his return, he could no longer work at his carpentry bench. He had become janitor of the Church. William Sloggett states that he was the Librarian there, and that Ernst was a teacher of the sunday school. Rev. N W Lilly was the pastor, who had officiated at the funeral of Ernst Reif. Sloggett said he had visited Ernst during his sickness and was shown his wound, which was very repulsive and sore to the touch. William Sloggett said he followed the remains after the funeral along with the family members to the White Oak Cemetery, and remembered the gallant boys of the 34th, who must go from this life, one by one. He further states that he knew Catherine has not remarried since the death of her late husband, Simon Geeting, and that if she had, he would have heard about it because things like that are not kept quiet. signed by William Sloggett, sealed and signed by Pension office and Congressional US Pension Office on May 18, 1908, likewise signed by Edward E Haller, notary.
PAGE SEVEN: Robert F. Adams, Ogle County Clerk, states that he has custody and control of the tax rolls. Simon Geeting was assessed with real estate value at $300, located at the N1/2 Lot 14 and 15 Block 3 of Neals Add. Mrs, Geeting was assessed with personal property amounting to $50. These amounts represent 1/3 of the true value of the same. He signs on 18 Feb 1913, Robert F. Adams. Stamped and dated Mar 8 1913 at the Pension Office and Law Division, Mar 20 1913 at the Civil War Division.
PAGE EIGHT - TEN: Henrietta Swank (nee Foy), testifies that she is over 60, and has lived in this county all her life. Her sister is Catherine Geeting (nee Foy), and was married in 1861 to Ernst C. Reif before Rev. N W Lilly, a minister, now deceased, of Kansas City, MO, formerly of Forreston in Ogle County. She said that the marriage license was never returned to the county seat on account of the Civil War. Ernst was a soldier in that war and was married before he enlisted as a soldier. There was one child born to them while he was in the war. Catherine kept house and maintained their child, and that child passed at about the age of 10 months, The child was buried in White Oak Cemetery. Catherine kept up the house until the return of her husband, Ernst. Ernst had been wounded in the leg and hip. It was thought best by her parents that since the marriage license was lost and never recorded, they should remarry. Her parents were very strict Lutheran. Rev. JK Bloom, minister of the Lutheran Church of Forreston married them. After that Catherine and Ernst were blessed with another child. Ernst died from the gun shot wound and was buried beside his little daughter. She said she was present when Catherine married Ernst in 1861, and can fully remember that it was before the War. She knew that Ernst came from Germany before the war and boarded and worked for Catherine's father on their farm. Catherine was courted by him and married before Rev Lilly, and they took up a little home and lived there until the war broke out and Ernst enlisted. Catherine lived in their home until he returned. When Ernst come home being wounded, it was found that the marriage license was never recorded in Oregon, the county seat. Ludwig and Magdelena Foy wish no fault with Catherine and wanted to cause no trouble and annoyance to her since she now had a wounded husband. They suggested another marriage before Rev. J K Bloom, which was recorded. Henrietta Swank testified that her husband, Jacob F. Swank was from Forreston Township and was past the age of 60. He is gone from home all the time, that he is the Supervisor of the Forreston Township for the past 25 years, and was the township School President. She said she would never make any statement that would reflect on her husband's good name. Her sister, Catherine,is now 75 years and she is dependant on her daily for support. signed and dated 19 Feb 1913 Henrietta Swank. witnesses : Anna Haller, Virginia Haller, signed Edward E Haller, Notary, 21 Oct 1913 expiration of notary, stamped and sealed Mar 8 1913 Pension Office and Law Division, Mar 20 1913 Civil War Division
PAGE ELEVEN-THIRTEEN Robert F. Adams, County Clerk, has filed transcriptions of the records of marriage between Ernst C. Reif and Catherine Foy, 1963, and Simon Geeting and Catherine Reif, 1875, All received in the Law Division and Pension Office, 8 Mar 1913.
Next Up...sworn statements of Hugh S. Stanley and Robert F. Adams, and Edward Haller files two papers, forging Catherine's signature to each.
The SAGA Continues.....
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Using Civil War Pension Files, Part III - The case of Ernst Reif
Our last post about Ernst, we reviewed the letters of the Adjutant General, and assistants, regarding the death of Ernst, and the extent of his wound. He was injured by gunshot wound of the thigh, while engaged in combat at the Battle of Stone River, which developed into Erysipelas :
an acute, sometimes recurrent disease caused by a bacterial infection. It is characterized by large, raised red patches on the skin, especially that of the face and legs, with fever and severe general illness. www.google.definitions
We continue with the War of the Rebellion Widow's Pension (Original With Increase) page 103/220
Chicago Pension Office, case 184.488
Catherine Reif now Geeting, widow of Ernst Reif, Priv., Company H, 34 IL Vol.
Resident of Ogle County, State of Illinois, Post Office of Forreston,
Attorney, JP Jones, Rockford, Winnebago County, Fee of $ Twenty-five. having been filed Feb. 19, 1872
Rate of pension $ Eight per month, commencing October 20, 1867, day after soldier's death, (ending June 6, 1875 the date of widow's remarriage) and two dollars per month additional for each child as follows:
Child : Mary Born August 2, 1867 Commencing October 20, 1867
Sixteen on August 1, 1883
Admitted and approved by Examiner, June 5, 1879 and Reviewer June 12, 1879
Dates Shown by Papers :
Enlistment Sept , 1861
Muster into pensionable rank Sept 7, 1861
Discharge June 4, 1863
Death Oct 19, 1867
Invalid app. filed Oct 13, 1863
Invalid last paid to Sept 4, 1867
Widow's app. filed Oct 28, 1878
Right accrued Oct 19, 1867
Claim completed Oct 28, 1876
Former marriage of soldier NONE
Death of former wife NONE
Claimant's marriage to soldier Oct 4, 1863
Claimant's remarriage June 6, 1875
Handwritten comment : Minor's claim heretofore allowed
Cause of death Erysipelas result of GSW (gunshot wound) Place of Death House - after discharge
Page 104/220 Incidental Matters
Handwritten :
Minor in receipt of pension from the date of widow's re-marriage.
Widow's claim formerly rejected, on the grounds that it was barred by limitation.
Atty. JP Jones made inquiry Dec 19, 1878, relative to the date of commencement of pension which is regarded equivalent to re-opening the claim.
Page 105/220 Summary of Proof, No Former Marriage of Soldier
as shown by declaration of widow
Marriage of Soldier to Claimant
The marriage of Ernest Reif to Catharine Foy
is shown by certified copy of Public Records
Re-Marriage to Simon Geeting, June 6, 1875,
by certified copy of Public Record
Dates of Birth of Children
By the affidavit of attending physician
Dates of Deaths of Children
None
Page 106/220 Proof As To Death (of Soldier)
Reports and Testimonies of Adjutant General, Surgeon General Officer, Fellow Soldiers Army Surgeon, Attending Physician, Certificate of Disability, Other Testimony
Soldier was pensioned at rate of $4 - contraction of left leg
Surg. Gen. USA March '78 : Reports soldier admitted to Hospital with GSW of the thigh and discharged from service on June 4, or 6, 1863 by reason of GSW
Certificate of Disability, July 2 '63 shows the same as above as to cause of disability
Lieunt. Hanselods (sp?) Nov. '63 shows that wound was received in line of duty while advancing under the fire of the enemy
Dr. Frazey, Oct 28, 1876 Soldier was sound at enlistment, was his physician after his return home to date of
death - Oct 19, 1867, cause of death was the result of GSW
Same Physician, Feb 19 '77 and May 23 '78 Soldier a constant sufferer from said wound prior to his death, died Oct 19, 1867 of phlegmonous erysipelas, the result of long continued suffering and low vitality which continued from the time of his return from the army until his death, entirely incapacitated for labor.
Same Physician Oct 26, 1878 writes direct to this office that in his opinion the erysipelas was caused by the wound in the leg or hip, - Am positive that the erysipelas was developed by the condition produced by the wound, (For full particulars see Minor's Brief)
To Be Cont.
UP NEXT : It is revealed that Catherine Foy and Ernst Reif married before the War in 1861, but the license was never filed
AND
Catherine remarried to Samuel Nietz, who deserted her and her child, and she filed for divorce, two years later.....
A Soap Opera Indeed
an acute, sometimes recurrent disease caused by a bacterial infection. It is characterized by large, raised red patches on the skin, especially that of the face and legs, with fever and severe general illness. www.google.definitions
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| free images.google.com |
We continue with the War of the Rebellion Widow's Pension (Original With Increase) page 103/220
Chicago Pension Office, case 184.488
Catherine Reif now Geeting, widow of Ernst Reif, Priv., Company H, 34 IL Vol.
Resident of Ogle County, State of Illinois, Post Office of Forreston,
Attorney, JP Jones, Rockford, Winnebago County, Fee of $ Twenty-five. having been filed Feb. 19, 1872
Rate of pension $ Eight per month, commencing October 20, 1867, day after soldier's death, (ending June 6, 1875 the date of widow's remarriage) and two dollars per month additional for each child as follows:
Child : Mary Born August 2, 1867 Commencing October 20, 1867
Sixteen on August 1, 1883
Admitted and approved by Examiner, June 5, 1879 and Reviewer June 12, 1879
Dates Shown by Papers :
Enlistment Sept , 1861
Muster into pensionable rank Sept 7, 1861
Discharge June 4, 1863
Death Oct 19, 1867
Invalid app. filed Oct 13, 1863
Invalid last paid to Sept 4, 1867
Widow's app. filed Oct 28, 1878
Right accrued Oct 19, 1867
Claim completed Oct 28, 1876
Former marriage of soldier NONE
Death of former wife NONE
Claimant's marriage to soldier Oct 4, 1863
Claimant's remarriage June 6, 1875
Handwritten comment : Minor's claim heretofore allowed
Cause of death Erysipelas result of GSW (gunshot wound) Place of Death House - after discharge
Page 104/220 Incidental Matters
Handwritten :
Minor in receipt of pension from the date of widow's re-marriage.
Widow's claim formerly rejected, on the grounds that it was barred by limitation.
Atty. JP Jones made inquiry Dec 19, 1878, relative to the date of commencement of pension which is regarded equivalent to re-opening the claim.
Page 105/220 Summary of Proof, No Former Marriage of Soldier
as shown by declaration of widow
Marriage of Soldier to Claimant
The marriage of Ernest Reif to Catharine Foy
is shown by certified copy of Public Records
Re-Marriage to Simon Geeting, June 6, 1875,
by certified copy of Public Record
Dates of Birth of Children
By the affidavit of attending physician
Dates of Deaths of Children
None
Page 106/220 Proof As To Death (of Soldier)
Reports and Testimonies of Adjutant General, Surgeon General Officer, Fellow Soldiers Army Surgeon, Attending Physician, Certificate of Disability, Other Testimony
Soldier was pensioned at rate of $4 - contraction of left leg
Surg. Gen. USA March '78 : Reports soldier admitted to Hospital with GSW of the thigh and discharged from service on June 4, or 6, 1863 by reason of GSW
Certificate of Disability, July 2 '63 shows the same as above as to cause of disability
Lieunt. Hanselods (sp?) Nov. '63 shows that wound was received in line of duty while advancing under the fire of the enemy
Dr. Frazey, Oct 28, 1876 Soldier was sound at enlistment, was his physician after his return home to date of
death - Oct 19, 1867, cause of death was the result of GSW
Same Physician, Feb 19 '77 and May 23 '78 Soldier a constant sufferer from said wound prior to his death, died Oct 19, 1867 of phlegmonous erysipelas, the result of long continued suffering and low vitality which continued from the time of his return from the army until his death, entirely incapacitated for labor.
Same Physician Oct 26, 1878 writes direct to this office that in his opinion the erysipelas was caused by the wound in the leg or hip, - Am positive that the erysipelas was developed by the condition produced by the wound, (For full particulars see Minor's Brief)
To Be Cont.
UP NEXT : It is revealed that Catherine Foy and Ernst Reif married before the War in 1861, but the license was never filed
AND
Catherine remarried to Samuel Nietz, who deserted her and her child, and she filed for divorce, two years later.....
A Soap Opera Indeed
Friday, December 2, 2016
Using Civl War Pension Files, Part II : The Case of Ernst C. Reif
Continued....The Pension File of Ernst C. Reif, US Civil War Veteran, 34th Illinois Reg. Vols.
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Question: What were the requirements for an injured, invalid person who served the nation, to be able to obtain a government pension for support, in the event he could not support himself because of that injury?
Answer: The War of 1861. Act of July 14, 1862
A very yellowed form from the Department of the Interior, Pension Office, dated Nov. 29th, 1876
"Sir : Your respectfully requested to furnish official evidence of the enrollment, must, service duty, and discharge of death of Ernest Reif, who was a private in Company H, 34th Regiment of Illinois Vols. reported died October 19th 1867.
If the above name is not found on the rolls of said Company, will you so state, and report as to enrollment, in the case of any man bearing a similar name, whom you have good reason for believing to the soldier inquired for.
Please, also, to furnish any evidence on file that may enable this Office to decide whether the soldier's death resulted from injuries received or disease contracted in the service and line of duty."
Please return this circular with your report. Claim No. 228.542
Very respectfully, signed JA Bentley, commissioner pensions
Adjutant General, U.S.A.
The reply is as follows:
The Adjutant General's Office has an acknowledgement of the receipt for the Pension Application
No. 228.542, (widow and child pension application) dated Dec. 18, 1876, Washington, D.C.
They are repeating what had appeared in the Rolls on file in the Adjutant General Office :
"Ernest C. Reif, was enrolled on the 7 day of Sept, 1861, at Mt. Morris, in Co. H,
34th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, to serve 3 years or during the war, and mustered into service as
a Priv. on the 7 day of Sept., 1861, at Camp Butler, in Co. H, 34 Regiment of Illinois Volunteers
to serve 3 years, or during the war. On the Master Roll of Co. H, of that Regiment, for the period
from muster in to Feb. 28, 1862, he is reported present. So reported until roll for Nov. & Dec 1862,
reports him. Taken prisoner at Murfreesboro. Subsequently reported wounded in Battle of Stone
River Dec 31/62. In hospital at Nashville, until roll for May and June, 1863 reports him Discharged
June 3 1863, for disability. Regt. was in action at Murfreesboro, Tenn. Dec 31/62.
Prisoner of war records furnish no information.
Certificate of disability reports him dischd. at Louisville, Ky.
June 4th 1863, which date is accepted as correct."
I am, sir very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
S N Benjamin, Assistant Adjutant General
Additionally, this letter...
On 4 Jan 1877, a form letter sent by the Department of the Interior, Pension Office, requested the full medical history as possible on the soldier, Ernest Reif, Co. H,34th Regt. Ill. Vols.
Enlisted Sept 7 1861
Discharged June 4/63
Allegations of Claimant in regard to Fatal Disease or Injury,
Wounded at battle of Stone River Dec. 31st 1862
Report of the Adjutant General U.S. Army
Enlist.d Sept. 7/61 Pm. Co. H. 34th Ill Vols
Wounded in battle of Stone River Dec 31/62
In hospital at Nashville until June 1863
Roll for June reports him dischgd. June 3 1863
for disability
Cert. of disability reports him dischgd. at Louisville Ky
June 4, 1863
No comments on Death
No comments on Miscellaneous Statements
Please return this circular with your report.
Signed : J A Bentley, commissioner, pensions
The Surgeon General, U. S. Army
Claim No. 228.543
To be continued...Catherine Reif and her daughter, Mary, file for support as a widow and child of the deceased Ernst C. Reif
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Question: What were the requirements for an injured, invalid person who served the nation, to be able to obtain a government pension for support, in the event he could not support himself because of that injury?
Answer: The War of 1861. Act of July 14, 1862
Under the act of Congress approved July 14, 1862, pensions are granted to the following classes of persons.
I. Invalids, disabled since March 4, 1861, in the military or naval service of the United States, in the line of duty.
II. Widows of officers, soldiers, or seamen dying of wounds received or of disease contracted in the military or naval service, as above.
III. Children, under sixteen years of age, of such deceased persons, if there is no widow surviving, or from the time of the widow's remarriage.
IV. Mothers (who have no husband living) of officers, soldiers or seamen, deceased as aforesaid, provided the latter have left neither widow nor children under sixteen years of age; and provided, also, that the mother was dependent, wholly or in part, upon the deceased for support.
V. Sisters, under sixteen years of age, of such deceased persons, dependent on the latter, wholly or in part, for support, provided there are no rightful claimants of either of the [???] last preceding classes. http://www.nytimes.com/1862/08/12/news/army-pensions-instructions-forms-be-observed-applying-for-them-under-act-july-14.
Ernst C. Reif applied for his invalid pension on the 12th day of September 1863 in Ogle County, Illinois. The County Clerk, Albert Woodcock, filed the paperwork, with witnesses, Cyrus Billig and Robert Crunkleton, both residets of the county. Ernst was 24 years old, sworn to testify the true answers to each question. He confirmed that he was a volunteer of the 34th Regmt. of Illinois, and entered service at Mount Morris. His company H was commanded by Capt. Miller, and the 34th Infantry was commanded by Col. Kirk, Bristol(?), etc. He confided that he was discharged while in Louisville, Ky on the 4th of June in 1863. Further, Ernst told his story of being engaged at the Battle of Stone River in Tennessee on the 31st of Dec in 1862. He was shot in the front side of the left thigh, with the ball going through and seriously injured the bone so as to produce lameness, which still existed, and no prospects of improvement. He refers to the Surg. Certificate that shows he was discharged and the certificate of Doctor Colescott of Louisville, the resident surgeon. He returned to Forreston, Illinois, and has been resting himself, not being able to labor on account of his disability.
Prior to his injuries, he was of good health and had good tempermant. Now he is considered three fourths disabled and not earning wages. He wishes to be placed on the Invald Pension Roll. His represented attorney, C C Tucker, of Washington DC, said he will issue his pension certificate. He agreed to have his pension mailed to the Post Office at Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois, because his place of abode is in this town, and it is a small place without numbers on the houses. He signed his name as the applicant, (and quite nicely, I might add)
The two witnesses and the Clerk of Ogle County signed the form, and it was notarized.
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On February 8, 1864, Ernst Reif was allowed a pension of $4 per month, commencing June 4, 1863.
A brief was written in the case of Ernest C. Reif, Priv, Co H 34th Ref. Ill Vols.
He reported that his post office address was Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois, along with his dates of enlistment and discharge.
The brief asked for proof exhibited for Ernst to claim for an invalid pension. The points written were as follows:
1 Discharge for gun shot wound of left thigh rec'd at Battle of Stone River.
2. Adjutant General reports him wounded at the Battle of Stone River
3. 1st Lt. certified claimant became disabled Dec 31/62, that his Co. was ordered to advance under fire of the Enemy, and in so doing claimant rec'd a gun shot wound in the front side of left thigh, ball going through and injuring the bone so as to produce lameness & unable to walk without crutches.
4. Attndg Surg. certifies June 12/63 to gun shot wound of left thigh, Some contraction & adhesion of parts injured, cannot straighten limb at knee, walks on toes of injured limb, Disability one half and permanent. Exm. not ordered.
Disabled by Contraction of left leg
His Cert. No. 34.340, was paid to him, through the Chicago Illinois pension office from 1863 ending 1867.
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The Report of the Death of a Pensioned Veteran :A very yellowed form from the Department of the Interior, Pension Office, dated Nov. 29th, 1876
"Sir : Your respectfully requested to furnish official evidence of the enrollment, must, service duty, and discharge of death of Ernest Reif, who was a private in Company H, 34th Regiment of Illinois Vols. reported died October 19th 1867.
If the above name is not found on the rolls of said Company, will you so state, and report as to enrollment, in the case of any man bearing a similar name, whom you have good reason for believing to the soldier inquired for.
Please, also, to furnish any evidence on file that may enable this Office to decide whether the soldier's death resulted from injuries received or disease contracted in the service and line of duty."
Please return this circular with your report. Claim No. 228.542
Very respectfully, signed JA Bentley, commissioner pensions
Adjutant General, U.S.A.
The reply is as follows:
The Adjutant General's Office has an acknowledgement of the receipt for the Pension Application
No. 228.542, (widow and child pension application) dated Dec. 18, 1876, Washington, D.C.
They are repeating what had appeared in the Rolls on file in the Adjutant General Office :
"Ernest C. Reif, was enrolled on the 7 day of Sept, 1861, at Mt. Morris, in Co. H,
34th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, to serve 3 years or during the war, and mustered into service as
a Priv. on the 7 day of Sept., 1861, at Camp Butler, in Co. H, 34 Regiment of Illinois Volunteers
to serve 3 years, or during the war. On the Master Roll of Co. H, of that Regiment, for the period
from muster in to Feb. 28, 1862, he is reported present. So reported until roll for Nov. & Dec 1862,
reports him. Taken prisoner at Murfreesboro. Subsequently reported wounded in Battle of Stone
River Dec 31/62. In hospital at Nashville, until roll for May and June, 1863 reports him Discharged
June 3 1863, for disability. Regt. was in action at Murfreesboro, Tenn. Dec 31/62.
Prisoner of war records furnish no information.
Certificate of disability reports him dischd. at Louisville, Ky.
June 4th 1863, which date is accepted as correct."
I am, sir very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
S N Benjamin, Assistant Adjutant General
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| free images.google.com |
Additionally, this letter...
On 4 Jan 1877, a form letter sent by the Department of the Interior, Pension Office, requested the full medical history as possible on the soldier, Ernest Reif, Co. H,34th Regt. Ill. Vols.
Enlisted Sept 7 1861
Discharged June 4/63
Allegations of Claimant in regard to Fatal Disease or Injury,
Wounded at battle of Stone River Dec. 31st 1862
Report of the Adjutant General U.S. Army
Enlist.d Sept. 7/61 Pm. Co. H. 34th Ill Vols
Wounded in battle of Stone River Dec 31/62
In hospital at Nashville until June 1863
Roll for June reports him dischgd. June 3 1863
for disability
Cert. of disability reports him dischgd. at Louisville Ky
June 4, 1863
No comments on Death
No comments on Miscellaneous Statements
Please return this circular with your report.
Signed : J A Bentley, commissioner, pensions
The Surgeon General, U. S. Army
Claim No. 228.543
To be continued...Catherine Reif and her daughter, Mary, file for support as a widow and child of the deceased Ernst C. Reif
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Using Civil War Pension Files, Part I : The case of Ernst C. Reif - Part I
Recently I received the full pension files for two Civil War soldiers, and I have never been so
excited to read the information that has been revealed to me. Outstanding!
The pension files belong to a great great uncle of my husband who served as a volunteer in the
Union Army, and an African American Civil War Veteran who served one year in the USCT.
These were both obtained from the company Twisted Twigs on Gnarled
Branches, twistedtwigsgenealogy.com.
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| US Flag of 1861, public domain photo, www.images.google.com |
19 April 1908 c. 147 35 Stat. 64
An Act To increase the pension of widows, minor children, and so forth, of deceased soldiers and sailors of the late civil war, the war with Mexico, the various Indian wars, and so forth, and to grant a pension to certain widows of the deceased soldiers and sailors of the late civil war. www.genealogy-quest.com
This is the story of veteran Ernst (Ernest) C. Reif of Forreston, Ogle County, Illinois.
Ernst enlisted into the Union ranks in 1861 upon the opening of the Civil War. He served in the 34th Illinois Infantry, where he was wounded at the Battle of Stone River, near Nashville, Tennessee, on 31 December 1862. He was shot through the thigh and had become so lame that he could not walk without a crutch. Having been taken prisoner, and later recuperating in a Union hospital, he was discharged in June of 1863. He returned back to Forreston, Illinois and his betrothed, Catherine Foy.
This is where the story of the pension begins for Ernst Reif. According to his pension papers, he was wounded and taken prisoner. Having been exchanged with other prisoners, he was able to be tended to and then sent home upon his discharge. The Examining Surgeon's Report states that he was discharged from Louisville, Kentucky. Later, in August of 1867, he would die from the effects of this permanent damage from the gunshot wound to his leg. One document from the surgeon states that he was subsequently promoted to 1st Lient. This is the only reference to this promotion.
He was admitted to General Hospital 21 in Nashville, Tennessee, (most likely Cumberland hospital, but not proven yet) 13 Feb, 1863. His wound was described as : "gunshot of left thigh, ball entered anterior inner face of thigh, 2 inches below groin, just internal of sartorious, part directly backwards and outwards, behind and internal to femur, and out on posterior face of thigh, below gluteus maximus, through belly of biceps. Some contraction and adhesion of parts injured. Cannot straighten the limb at knee, Walks on toes of injured limb."
Signed by the examining surgeon, 12 June 1863, Louisville, Kentucky. Many Union soldiers, sick and wounded, were treated at one of the several Nashville military hospitals, before being transferred to Louisville for further treatment.
Ernst was transferred to Louisville from Nashville in April of 1863, to General Hospital 7. This is where he was cared for until June of that year, and was sent home with a certificate of disability and eligible for an invalid pension. Hospital 7, also known as Brown General Hospital, built by the Union Army in Louisville, the largest of six general military hospitals in Louisville.
To be continued.....
Ernst was transferred to Louisville from Nashville in April of 1863, to General Hospital 7. This is where he was cared for until June of that year, and was sent home with a certificate of disability and eligible for an invalid pension. Hospital 7, also known as Brown General Hospital, built by the Union Army in Louisville, the largest of six general military hospitals in Louisville.
To be continued.....
Saturday, January 9, 2016
State By State Research : Alabama
I want to tell you how wonderfully the writers of Family Tree Magazine fill their pages with such useful information. For those of us who need that extra help with researching the archives of individual states, they have published a listing of websites that can be the portals to helping you with your historical and genealogical research. I am going to review each of their picks by state.
Let's start with Alabama.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History archives.state.al.us
This site has a search feature to look for names in the Civil War service cards. It also has a search feature for the 1867 voter registrations.
Interested in microfilmed newspapers? Well, they are listed in the catalogs, and some are available through interlibrary loan.
There are also links to find church records, local and county records and maps.
The Alabama History Timeline is quite fascinating. It has quips of what was in the vicinity of Alabama going back to 10,000-7,000 BC.,,featuring information on Russell Cave in Jackson County which is a fine example of prehistoric geology. Going forward, several Spanish explorers made their mark in the area, and the development of the Native American Creek Nation, along with other tribes formed from the earlier Mississippian peoples. There is information on schools, cities, forts, legislature, et. al. Truly a go to spot for Alabama history.
Multi Media is not lacking on this website. You Tube videos are abundant and cover a wide range of subjects.
This is certainly a website that I will bookmark, and I hope you do, too.
Let's start with Alabama.
The Alabama Department of Archives and History archives.state.al.us
This site has a search feature to look for names in the Civil War service cards. It also has a search feature for the 1867 voter registrations.
Interested in microfilmed newspapers? Well, they are listed in the catalogs, and some are available through interlibrary loan.
There are also links to find church records, local and county records and maps.
The Alabama History Timeline is quite fascinating. It has quips of what was in the vicinity of Alabama going back to 10,000-7,000 BC.,,featuring information on Russell Cave in Jackson County which is a fine example of prehistoric geology. Going forward, several Spanish explorers made their mark in the area, and the development of the Native American Creek Nation, along with other tribes formed from the earlier Mississippian peoples. There is information on schools, cities, forts, legislature, et. al. Truly a go to spot for Alabama history.
Multi Media is not lacking on this website. You Tube videos are abundant and cover a wide range of subjects.
This is certainly a website that I will bookmark, and I hope you do, too.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Famous Families in the Civil War
So sorry for the delay in posts....
We had a wedding in our family in late May of this year....it was in Jamaica, and, yes, its was just beautiful. I have a very pretty new daughter-in-law.
Summer came upon us, and I slowed down with the heated weather, which included my writing.
But, now I am back. And I have been collecting so many new topics to write about. I can't wait to share them with all of you. So, let's do this!
Many a U.S. history enthusiast has joined in the commemoration of the War Between the States....better known as the Civil War. It made me think of all those researchers who have scrambled to find our if any of their ancestors were military participants of this war.
I began to look at records of those better known families in our American history. Wouldn't it be interesting to find family members of those well known Americans who had enlisted into the military service, either Union or Confederate? I did find some and I'll share them with you.
Remember Paul Revere? That awesome guy who rode his horse, using the signal "one if by land, two if by sea", had a grandson. Col. Paul Revere, named after his grandfather, was an officer serving in the Union troops during the Civil War. Unfortunately, the colonel died at the Battle of Gettysburg. I had heard about this while viewing a program on The History Channel. The website FindAGrave does have quite a nice tribute to Colonel Revere, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?GRid=5845791&page=gr , which includes photos of his grave.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841-1935), served with the Union Army . He hailed from Boston, Massachusetts, son of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., a noted person himself. Mr. Holmes later became Justice Holmes.....he was a Justice of the Supreme Court in the early part of the 1900s. There are many photos of him, and much written about him. Wikipedia has a wonderful biography of the Honorable O. W. Holmes at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Wendell_Holmes,_Jr.
George Armstrong Custer, better known for his demise at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, also served in the Civil War. He was admitted into West Point where he graduated in 1858....being the last in his class. When the Civil War began, he was called to duty in the Union Army. After the war, he was a Calvary commander in the Indian Wars on the Great Plains. Much can be found on the Internet, including http://www.georgearmstrongcuster.com/
Did Frank and Jesse James serve in the Civil War? Well, there are some very interesting documents that have been digitized. And, these tell of the James brothers as Confederate guerrilla fighters. Frank James did serve in the Confederate Army, was captured, and was forced to swear allegiance to the Union. Jesse James, born in 1847, was too young to join the military, but that did not stop him from joining the bushwhackers with his brother. I found the site http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/biography/james-frank/ has so much information about the James brothers and their activities before and after the Civil War.
So what famous families do you think had Civil War veterans? Try looking them up some day. Think of politicians, entertainers, literary and other famous persons who may have been living during the mid 1800s. I bet you will find some folks who wore the uniform of the Union or the Confederacy. Have fun on your search.
We had a wedding in our family in late May of this year....it was in Jamaica, and, yes, its was just beautiful. I have a very pretty new daughter-in-law.
Summer came upon us, and I slowed down with the heated weather, which included my writing.
But, now I am back. And I have been collecting so many new topics to write about. I can't wait to share them with all of you. So, let's do this!
I began to look at records of those better known families in our American history. Wouldn't it be interesting to find family members of those well known Americans who had enlisted into the military service, either Union or Confederate? I did find some and I'll share them with you.
Remember Paul Revere? That awesome guy who rode his horse, using the signal "one if by land, two if by sea", had a grandson. Col. Paul Revere, named after his grandfather, was an officer serving in the Union troops during the Civil War. Unfortunately, the colonel died at the Battle of Gettysburg. I had heard about this while viewing a program on The History Channel. The website FindAGrave does have quite a nice tribute to Colonel Revere, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?GRid=5845791&page=gr , which includes photos of his grave.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841-1935), served with the Union Army . He hailed from Boston, Massachusetts, son of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., a noted person himself. Mr. Holmes later became Justice Holmes.....he was a Justice of the Supreme Court in the early part of the 1900s. There are many photos of him, and much written about him. Wikipedia has a wonderful biography of the Honorable O. W. Holmes at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Wendell_Holmes,_Jr.
George Armstrong Custer, better known for his demise at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, also served in the Civil War. He was admitted into West Point where he graduated in 1858....being the last in his class. When the Civil War began, he was called to duty in the Union Army. After the war, he was a Calvary commander in the Indian Wars on the Great Plains. Much can be found on the Internet, including http://www.georgearmstrongcuster.com/
Did Frank and Jesse James serve in the Civil War? Well, there are some very interesting documents that have been digitized. And, these tell of the James brothers as Confederate guerrilla fighters. Frank James did serve in the Confederate Army, was captured, and was forced to swear allegiance to the Union. Jesse James, born in 1847, was too young to join the military, but that did not stop him from joining the bushwhackers with his brother. I found the site http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/biography/james-frank/ has so much information about the James brothers and their activities before and after the Civil War.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Phillip Becker : Last Surviving Musician of the Lincoln Funeral Ceremony in Springfield
With the upcoming Veterans Day, I thought I'd focus on someone who served his country in a way that very few did. Philip Becker, the last surviving member of the band that played at the funeral of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield in 1865, died on May 7 in 1926. He was 92 years old. He was laid to rest in Diamond Grove Cemetery in Jacksonville. An obituary has been written for him in the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Vol. XIX April-July 1926 Nos. 1-2.
Mr. Becker had lived in the same house in Jacksonville, Illinois for the last 60 years of his life. Being born in Germany in 1834, Phillip arrived in Jacksonville in 1855. He was a cabinet maker by trade. He and his wife, Elizabeth, raised their son, Phillip, and daughter, Kate, in Jacksonville. His silver cornet band assembled in Springfield for the slain president's funeral. He had formed the first band of Jacksonville with sixteen musicians, all of German descent. Philip would have been about 31 years of age at the time of the assassination of President Lincoln.
My thoughts began to focus on the funeral of President Lincoln, and what it must have been like for Phillip Becker and his fellow musicians to play their instruments. It must have been hard to control their emotions during that sorrowful event. Yet, what an honor to be allowed to perform for the public during that time when the entire nation was in mourning.
The 150th anniversary of the Abraham Lincoln Funeral will be celebrated in Springfield in 2015.
The informative website, http://lincolnfuneraltrain.org/, tells of the large scope of events planned for April-May 2015.
A Chicago area man is building a precise replica of the steam engine that pulled the funeral car of Abraham Lincoln. You can watch a short film about this at http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2014/10/16/rebuilding-history . This site also contains a slide show of the construction of the funeral car, and a map of the 2015 Lincoln Funeral Train Route.
There appears to be so much planned for the commemoration of this historic event. I am sure that there will be many visitors to the Springfield area, and people standing along the railroad tracks to catch a glimpse of the reenactment.
But what of Phillip Becker? The last surviving musician of the band that played at the funeral of Abraham Lincoln was survived by one son, Phillip Becker, Jr. of Jacksonville, and one daughter, Mrs. Kate Werghwein of Henry, Illinois. His funeral was held on May 9, 1926, in Jacksonville.
I know that his spirit will be there at the anniversary celebration of the President's funeral. Mr. Becker will be standing tall, instrument in hand, alongside the other musicians who played at the funeral 150 years ago.
Well done, Mr. Becker. Your nation is grateful for your service at one of the most poignant events in this country's history.
Mr. Becker had lived in the same house in Jacksonville, Illinois for the last 60 years of his life. Being born in Germany in 1834, Phillip arrived in Jacksonville in 1855. He was a cabinet maker by trade. He and his wife, Elizabeth, raised their son, Phillip, and daughter, Kate, in Jacksonville. His silver cornet band assembled in Springfield for the slain president's funeral. He had formed the first band of Jacksonville with sixteen musicians, all of German descent. Philip would have been about 31 years of age at the time of the assassination of President Lincoln.
My thoughts began to focus on the funeral of President Lincoln, and what it must have been like for Phillip Becker and his fellow musicians to play their instruments. It must have been hard to control their emotions during that sorrowful event. Yet, what an honor to be allowed to perform for the public during that time when the entire nation was in mourning.
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| http://thelincolncollection .org |
The 150th anniversary of the Abraham Lincoln Funeral will be celebrated in Springfield in 2015.
The informative website, http://lincolnfuneraltrain.org/, tells of the large scope of events planned for April-May 2015.
 |
| 2015 Lincoln Coalition Logo |
A Chicago area man is building a precise replica of the steam engine that pulled the funeral car of Abraham Lincoln. You can watch a short film about this at http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2014/10/16/rebuilding-history . This site also contains a slide show of the construction of the funeral car, and a map of the 2015 Lincoln Funeral Train Route.
There appears to be so much planned for the commemoration of this historic event. I am sure that there will be many visitors to the Springfield area, and people standing along the railroad tracks to catch a glimpse of the reenactment.
But what of Phillip Becker? The last surviving musician of the band that played at the funeral of Abraham Lincoln was survived by one son, Phillip Becker, Jr. of Jacksonville, and one daughter, Mrs. Kate Werghwein of Henry, Illinois. His funeral was held on May 9, 1926, in Jacksonville.
I know that his spirit will be there at the anniversary celebration of the President's funeral. Mr. Becker will be standing tall, instrument in hand, alongside the other musicians who played at the funeral 150 years ago.
Well done, Mr. Becker. Your nation is grateful for your service at one of the most poignant events in this country's history.
Monday, October 27, 2014
The Mysterious Death of Lake Ransom : Murder or Suicide?
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| Daily Inter Ocean, Chicago, 13 Feb 1882 |
The Chicago Evening Journal reported the Hinsdale tragedy...Mr. Lake Ransom, resident of 428 South Lincoln Street, was found dead by the side of the street on the morning of February 11, 1882 at the intersection of First and Lincoln Street. Did he commit suicide, or was he the victim of a brutal murder? The case has never been solved. Let's look at the facts and review the investigation.
Lake Ransom was born on 5 June 1844 in Windsor City, Vermont, to Daniel and Lucy Edson (Lake) Ransom. He was the descendant of Richard Ransom who served as Captain of the Connecticut Militia under Lt. Col. E. Storrs during the Revolutionary War. Lake Ransom was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Daniel and Lucy Ransom had moved their family to Jo Davies County, Illinois by 1860.
Lake Ransom had served his country in the Union Army during the Civil War, in the 12th Vermont Company B unit. He was discharged in 1863.
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| www.Fold3.com, Ramsom, Lake; 12 Regt. Vermont Infantry |
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| www.familysearch.org, Massachusetts Marriages; Lake Ransom, Boston, 25 Dec. 1866 |
Lake was a General Sales Agent for a reaper company, the D. M. Osborne Company, which had a branch sales office and warehouse in Chicago after the Civil War. According to the Western Massachusetts History , Volume 4, 1636-1925, Lake Ransom was born in South Woodstock, Vermont, and he moved West. He was a manager of the western division of the Osborne Harvester Company, in which he spent the majority of his career.
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| www.Mocavo.com, Chicago City Directory, 1867; Lake Ransom, D. M. Osborne & Co. |
Mr. and Mrs. Ransom had moved their familly to Hinsdale, Illinois, and took up residence at a fine home located at 428 South Lincoln Street. The family appears in the 1870 and 1880 US Federal Census, at this address.
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| www.ancestry.com, Ransom, Lake, Hinsdale, Illinois, 1870 |
FRIDAY EVENING, 10 February 1882
Two shots were heard in the evening by a resident of Hinsdale, Mrs. J. W. Webster, who was waiting for her children to arrive home after spending the evening with neighbors. She estimates it was about the time that the 10:30 p.m. train from Chicago had arrived at the Hinsdale depot. Charles Hinds said the he also heard a shot coming from the area in the evening as he was standing in front of the residence of Mr. Clark, who lived on First Street.
Mr. Ransom was in the habit of riding the train to and from Chicago. He had been employed as bookkeeper for the Osborne Company for eighteen years until a month before the incident. He usually rode the late train daily, and his family expected him home shortly after that time. According to the Chicago Inter Ocean, the train conductor did not recollect him, nor did the other riders remember him leaving the train at the depot. He could have rode in the smoking car, and departed the train at Lincoln Street, where the head of the train stops, to be nearer his home and he could reach it sooner. His wife waited for him until midnight, never to see him walk through the door of their home.
FINDING THE BODY
The body of Lake Ransom was found just before 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, at the corner of First and Lincoln Streets, just two blocks from his residence, and one block from the train depot. Mr. Shannon, Mr. A. M. Weir and Mr. J. W. Russell take the morning train to Chicago. On their walk to the depot, they had observed the body, cold and rigid, laying on the back, next to a tree and the boarded sidewalk. A hat was laying on the sidewalk, near the feet of the victim. A revolver was found laying on the sidewalk, with two of the chambers empty. There was also a bag of shot found on the street near the body. The head was laying in a pool of blood, with a bullet hole to back of the skull. Blood was trickling from the ears and nose. Part of the clothing near the arm and chest was smoldering. As a crowd of residents surrounded the corpse, a neighbor hustled to the home of the victim and had broken the news to Mrs. Ransom, who rushed to the scene and she was horrified at the state of her husband. The body was removed by the police magistrate and officers to the Town Hall. Cornoner Cotton, of Turner Junction, was summoned by telegraph.
THE INVESTIGATION BEGINS
A large hole was found in the left arm of the garments, which still smoldered as if burned. The flesh underneath the layers of clothing was blackened and blistered, as if burned. Perhaps that was a point of contact with a gunshot, however, no bullet or wound had been found. The neck tie was still around the neck, but the collar had been pulled from the shirt. The vest had been unbuttoned, and the familiar gold watch on a chain was missing from the body. The watch had been presented to the victim by the employees of D. M. Osborne, and he never seemed to be without it, until now. The pants pockets had been turned inside out, and the wallet of the victim was not on the body.
A bullet hole to the head, just behind the left ear, appears to have been the fatal shot that ended the life of Lake Ransom. A large amount of blood and brain matter had come from the wound.
The Hinsdale police officers searched the general perimeter of the incident and found cards and letters from the deceased strewn across the railroad track area. The wallet of the victim was found nearby on the railroad track about a block away, completely empty. Other cards belonging Mr. Ransom were found near the train depot.
Was the bag of shot used to knock Mr. Ransom senseless? Or thrown to distract him while he was attacked and murdered? Did he shoot himself once, unsuccessfully in the torso, and then again, successfully in the back of the head? Would he have emptied his own pockets and tossed his personal papers and empty wallet?
Detectives Wiley and Elliott were hard at work trying to solve the tragic event. Several tramps were found in the vicinity of the train depot, and they were arrested for questioning, but to no avail.
THE THEORY OF MURDER
During the investigation, many people were interviewed :
Charles Cook, while visiting Western Springs on Friday afternoon, noticed vagrants shuffling along the railroad tracks headed for Hinsdale.
There were rumors, but no concrete evidence, that the tramps were actually at, or near, the train depot in Hinsdale at the time of the arrival of the 10:30 p.m. train.
It was thought by the Coroner, that Mr. Ransom most certainly would have had some money on him on his way home from Chicago that Friday evening. However, when the body was found on Saturday morning, there was no money or valuables on him. And, his watch and chain were missing. The Coroner also raised the thought that Mr. Ransom could have killed himself, and the tramps could have taken his valuables when they found his body in the late evening.
Dr. Fitch, brother-in-law of the Mr. Ransom, said he refused to believe that it was a case of suicide. He believes that there was no reason for his relative to end his life, stating that he had been an honorable character in the community. His family relations were perfect. Though he severed his employment with D. M. Osborne company the month prior, he had ample resources, and he spoke of starting a business for himself in short order. Dr. Fitch also stated that finding the body in the way that it was, without valuables, most certainly points to foul murder.
THE THEORY OF SUICIDE
Many facts were brought to light as the investigation moves to Mr. Ransom's business life:
Mr. Ransom quit his job at the D. M. Osborne Company early in January.
It was rumored that he gambled a bit, and lost heavily. On the Tuesday before his death, his wife testified that she had given $1,500 to her husband, which he had gambled away in an attempt to win back his previous losses. He may have planned to kill himself so as not to disgrace his family.
His losses on the Board of Trade were estimated to be about $50,000 to $60,000.
It was revealed that he may have embezzled money from the D. M. Osborne Company, as he held a top position in the financial department. He was being investigated by the detectives of the Osborne's insurance company in December of the previous year 1881, when the main warehouse in Chicago was destroyed by fire. Fire investigators found that the supposed story of the incident being caused by burglars was not viable...the vault was broken out of, and not into. The financial books were destroyed, and the company owner came to Chicago to investigate. Mr. Ransom had been suspected of being behind the incident, but they had no proof as of yet.
Police detectives think that Mr. Ransom overdid the job. The bag of shot would have been useless as it would only have been used as a weapon by someone else against him, and hard to use on himself as a weapon. The revolver was laying where it would have fallen if he used it on himself. It was a very newly purchased gun, without rust or scratches. Mr. Ransom could have been responsible for emptying his own pockets, throwing his wallet and papers into the wind himself and disposing of his watch. They suspect that he was financially ruined and embarrassed, causing him to become despondent and planned his own demise.
INTERVIEW WITH PREVIOUS EMPLOYER
When asked about the speculation of Mr. Ransom having embezzled money from the company, Mr. Osborne stated that the company had completed an investigation of the matter but found no evidence that Mr. Ransom had been dishonest. He was employed Mr. Ransom for over seventeen years, and felt confident of his abilities. Mr. Ransom had been the general manager of the Chicago location up to 1 January 1882, and handled over a million dollars each of the nine years in that position. Mr. Ransom had been investing in produce, and had been losing money on such ventures. Mr. Osborne felt that it was not to his liking, and asked Mr. Ransom to cease his speculating, or give up his position with the company. He had showed a desire to stop, and assured the company that he would never engage in another deal on the board. After a while, it was found that he continued his dealing with the board, and he was asked to submit his resignation. He did submit his resignation to take affect on 1 January 1882. It was estimated by the company that Mr. Ransom has lost some $10,000 to $12,000 of his own. It was felt that he never squandered money belonging to the firm, and was believed to be honest by nature. He had admitted that he became infatuated with speculating.
When asked if it was thought that Mr. Ransom was responsible for the fire which destroyed the company warehouse, Mr. Osborne stated that there was no cause for any such supposition.
Further questioning revealed that Mr. Osborne felt that Ransom had committed suicide, He felt that his demon was the gambling on the Produce Exchange, which produced much remorse. He reported that his former employee's salary was about $5,000 annually, and then increased to $6,500 when promoted to management. He felt that Mr. Ransom never used any company funds in his speculating. He was a very economical man, and he seemed to spend frugally with his personal living expenses. It could hardly be possible that Mr. Ransom could have taken thousands of dollars from the company without our knowing about it.
THE POST MORTEM EXAMINATION
The examination was performed by Dr. Skear of Chicago, and under the direction of Dr. J. C. Merrick, of Hinsdale, who was the foreman of the Coroner's Jury. The results were as follows :
The external examination showed that there was burning through the overcoat, undercoat, vest, shirt and undershirt and to the skin on the left side to the skin on the left arm, cooking the flesh in a area of seven by nine inches. The top of the pants and underpants were slightly burned on the left side.
Blood was oozing from the left nostril and both ears, more from the left ear. Skin was burned and charred over the left side of the body, but not blistered. Rigor mortis was well advanced. The body looked well nourished.
The bullet wound to the head was one inch above the left ear, large enough to admit the little finger. On the edges of the scalp near the wound the bone was driven inward. The hair was not burned. There was a bruise on the upper lid of the left eye and lower lid of the right eye. There were also slight bruises on parts of the body. When the scalp was removed there was found additional bleeding. The skull fractures extended from the wound to the area of the eyes. The bullet was found crushed from end to end. There was considerable bleeding into the ventricles of the brain, which otherwise looked healthy.
In opening up the chest, the flesh was cooked to the ribs, affecting the lower portion of the left lung and a portion of the spleen. All other organs were perfectly healthy.
THE REWARD FOR INFORMATION
In the Illinois State Daily Register on 3 March 1882, a reward is posted
The following article was printed in the Daily Inter Ocean, 22 February 1882. The persons mentioned as Mr. and Mrs. Scott were the sister and brother in law of Lake Ransom :
NEWS SPREADS THROUGHOUT THE NATION
News articles appeared through out the nation regarding the mysterious death of Lake Ransom :
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| Trenton Gazette, 16 Feb 1882 |
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| Denver Rocky Mountain News, 14 Feb. 1882 |
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| Rockford Daily Register, 13 Feb 1882 |
More articles were posted in Kentucky, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and many other city newspapers.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
I have found two Chicago Evening Journal funeral notices for Lake Ransom, as follows:
WIDOW'S PENSION
Mrs. Lucy Ransom did not apply for the Civil War Widow's Pension until 1908. Notice that she filed for the pension when living in Massachusetts, not Illinois. The life insurance policy that her husband had for $27,000 probably supported her until this time....
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| www.Fold3.com, Ransom, Lake, widow's pension file card |
MURDER OR SUICIDE?
What do you think? Who was the person to have met with Lake Ransom at the Sherman House? What happened to the $1,500 that Mr. Ransom was to have withdrawn from the bank....remember his wife said that she gave him the money. What happened to his gold watch? Was he really innocent of being involved with the warehouse fire?
My question : Was Lake Ransom left or right handed? If he was right handed, it would have been hard for him to shoot himself behind the left ear. But, it would have been easier for him to shoot himself in the left side.
The case is still unsolved.....over one hundred years later.
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