William Francis Allender was the son of Joseph Allender and Frances Elizabeth Hall. He was born in Daviess County, Indiana on his father's homestead. He seems to have lead a normal early life, although the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee where they continued farming.
When Will was seven his mother came down with "sun sickness" or "sun neuralgia". She was taken to Memphis where a doctor tended to her. The doctor treated her with blood letting and by the use of leeches. Eliza went to sleep and never wakened. A lock of Eliza's light red hair was cut from her head and given to Will to keep. It was to be that Will's favorite color was red. He was disappointed when none of his children had red hair.
"... Mother died, and I was an orphan practically ever after, Father failing to provide for me." The next three years were spent with his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Wells Renshaw, and numerous uncles and cousins living in New Harmony, Indiana and Grayville or Albion, Illinois. In 1847 his father married Elizabeth Ann Young. At this time he took his son to live with the both of them at Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Soon his thirteen brothers and sisters began to arrive.
Will was an apprentice blacksmith. "[I] learned my trade at Mt. Vernon Posey Co., Ind. in part and part Memphis Tennessee alternately working at Blacksmithing and Flat Boating untill [sic] commencement of Civil War." Will was strong and his apprenticeship went well until the master smith took another boy as an apprentice. The two boys quarreled and finally fought. The boy was struck down with a smithy tool and Will left. By the time Will was eighteen he owned a flat boat and plied the Mississippi River with freight.
He loved to sing the popular ballads of the day while being accompanied by an accordion, and to dance to the "schottische". Will learned to fence with the sword and to write "Spencerian". He would draw beautiful birds and flowers about the margins of his letters. He was a strong swimmer and claimed he had to swim across the Mississippi one time to save his life.
William Allender enlisted as a 4th Corporal in Independent Co. B, Capt Carmichael, Ill Vol. on 19 August 1861 at Metropolis, Massac Co. Illinois, or Cairo, Illinois. Also listed 7th Cavalry.
In his own words: "I William F. Allender Late 1st Lieut Co "C" 7th Tennessee Voll Cav being under oath do solumnly swear that I was under orders from Col Isaac R. Hawkins Comdr 7th Tenn Cav at Union City Tennessee on or about the 7th of December 1863 - That I was ordered to take 30 men and reconoiter (scout) the the country south to find where and what Forrests Rebel command was and where located the order was obeyed and I was 3 days and nights out in cold drizzelling rain that I reported on my return on or about the 11th of December 1863; That on being relieved from that duty was taken sick from cold and exposure on said scout - that I was removed to a citizens house that I lay for 6 weeks under the surgeons care that on the 20 of February 1864 I was granted a sick furlough I went Memphis returned March 20 - 1864 yet so week that I was not considered able for duty and had permission to stop at Abe Patton's house (a citizen) 3/4 of mile from Regll Camp. That on the 24 of March 1864 Forrest's (Rebels) comd attacked the Reg (7th Tenn) at daylight I rode through the enemy skirmish line to my Co formed them and led them until about 11 A.M. when the 7th Tennessee was surrendered by the Col in command I was Pris of War 12 mo that I was separated from my men and officers in Prison on account of escaping in all 7 times"
He was honorably discharged at Camp Parole, Md on 12 March 1865. He gave his physical description as 6 feet tall, fair complexion, grey eyes and dark hair. His occupation was blacksmith. He was born near Maysville, Daviess Co., Ind. He resided LeGrange, Tenn., Eureka, Ill., Denver Col., Stockton Cal., Eastern Wash., Eddy, New Mexico, Klondike, North West Territories, British America, Valdez, Alaska, Spokane, Wash. He left LeGrange in 1869, left Eureka in 1871, left Denver in 1875, left Stockton in 1878, left Wash. in 1892, left New Mexico in 1897, left the North West Terr. in 1904, and left Valdez in 1904.
Will was known for his great debating skills as well. Both his children, Frank and Mary Willa followed in his footsteps in this respect.
When Will was seven his mother came down with "sun sickness" or "sun neuralgia". She was taken to Memphis where a doctor tended to her. The doctor treated her with blood letting and by the use of leeches. Eliza went to sleep and never wakened. A lock of Eliza's light red hair was cut from her head and given to Will to keep. It was to be that Will's favorite color was red. He was disappointed when none of his children had red hair.
"... Mother died, and I was an orphan practically ever after, Father failing to provide for me." The next three years were spent with his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Wells Renshaw, and numerous uncles and cousins living in New Harmony, Indiana and Grayville or Albion, Illinois. In 1847 his father married Elizabeth Ann Young. At this time he took his son to live with the both of them at Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Soon his thirteen brothers and sisters began to arrive.
Will was an apprentice blacksmith. "[I] learned my trade at Mt. Vernon Posey Co., Ind. in part and part Memphis Tennessee alternately working at Blacksmithing and Flat Boating untill [sic] commencement of Civil War." Will was strong and his apprenticeship went well until the master smith took another boy as an apprentice. The two boys quarreled and finally fought. The boy was struck down with a smithy tool and Will left. By the time Will was eighteen he owned a flat boat and plied the Mississippi River with freight.
He loved to sing the popular ballads of the day while being accompanied by an accordion, and to dance to the "schottische". Will learned to fence with the sword and to write "Spencerian". He would draw beautiful birds and flowers about the margins of his letters. He was a strong swimmer and claimed he had to swim across the Mississippi one time to save his life.
William Allender enlisted as a 4th Corporal in Independent Co. B, Capt Carmichael, Ill Vol. on 19 August 1861 at Metropolis, Massac Co. Illinois, or Cairo, Illinois. Also listed 7th Cavalry.
In his own words: "I William F. Allender Late 1st Lieut Co "C" 7th Tennessee Voll Cav being under oath do solumnly swear that I was under orders from Col Isaac R. Hawkins Comdr 7th Tenn Cav at Union City Tennessee on or about the 7th of December 1863 - That I was ordered to take 30 men and reconoiter (scout) the the country south to find where and what Forrests Rebel command was and where located the order was obeyed and I was 3 days and nights out in cold drizzelling rain that I reported on my return on or about the 11th of December 1863; That on being relieved from that duty was taken sick from cold and exposure on said scout - that I was removed to a citizens house that I lay for 6 weeks under the surgeons care that on the 20 of February 1864 I was granted a sick furlough I went Memphis returned March 20 - 1864 yet so week that I was not considered able for duty and had permission to stop at Abe Patton's house (a citizen) 3/4 of mile from Regll Camp. That on the 24 of March 1864 Forrest's (Rebels) comd attacked the Reg (7th Tenn) at daylight I rode through the enemy skirmish line to my Co formed them and led them until about 11 A.M. when the 7th Tennessee was surrendered by the Col in command I was Pris of War 12 mo that I was separated from my men and officers in Prison on account of escaping in all 7 times"
He was honorably discharged at Camp Parole, Md on 12 March 1865. He gave his physical description as 6 feet tall, fair complexion, grey eyes and dark hair. His occupation was blacksmith. He was born near Maysville, Daviess Co., Ind. He resided LeGrange, Tenn., Eureka, Ill., Denver Col., Stockton Cal., Eastern Wash., Eddy, New Mexico, Klondike, North West Territories, British America, Valdez, Alaska, Spokane, Wash. He left LeGrange in 1869, left Eureka in 1871, left Denver in 1875, left Stockton in 1878, left Wash. in 1892, left New Mexico in 1897, left the North West Terr. in 1904, and left Valdez in 1904.
Will was known for his great debating skills as well. Both his children, Frank and Mary Willa followed in his footsteps in this respect.
William Francis Allender was the son of Joseph Allender and Frances Elizabeth Hall. He was born in Daviess County, Indiana on his father's homestead. He seems to have lead a normal early life, although the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee where they continued farming.
When Will was seven his mother came down with "sun sickness" or "sun neuralgia". She was taken to Memphis where a doctor tended to her. The doctor treated her with blood letting and by the use of leeches. Eliza went to sleep and never wakened. A lock of Eliza's light red hair was cut from her head and given to Will to keep. It was to be that Will's favorite color was red. He was disappointed when none of his children had red hair.
"... Mother died, and I was an orphan practically ever after, Father failing to provide for me." The next three years were spent with his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Wells Renshaw, and numerous uncles and cousins living in New Harmony, Indiana and Grayville or Albion, Illinois. In 1847 his father married Elizabeth Ann Young. At this time he took his son to live with the both of them at Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Soon his thirteen brothers and sisters began to arrive.
Will was an apprentice blacksmith. "[I] learned my trade at Mt. Vernon Posey Co., Ind. in part and part Memphis Tennessee alternately working at Blacksmithing and Flat Boating untill [sic] commencement of Civil War." Will was strong and his apprenticeship went well until the master smith took another boy as an apprentice. The two boys quarreled and finally fought. The boy was struck down with a smithy tool and Will left. By the time Will was eighteen he owned a flat boat and plied the Mississippi River with freight.
He loved to sing the popular ballads of the day while being accompanied by an accordion, and to dance to the "schottische". Will learned to fence with the sword and to write "Spencerian". He would draw beautiful birds and flowers about the margins of his letters. He was a strong swimmer and claimed he had to swim across the Mississippi one time to save his life.
William Allender enlisted as a 4th Corporal in Independent Co. B, Capt Carmichael, Ill Vol. on 19 August 1861 at Metropolis, Massac Co. Illinois, or Cairo, Illinois. Also listed 7th Cavalry.
In his own words: "I William F. Allender Late 1st Lieut Co "C" 7th Tennessee Voll Cav being under oath do solumnly swear that I was under orders from Col Isaac R. Hawkins Comdr 7th Tenn Cav at Union City Tennessee on or about the 7th of December 1863 - That I was ordered to take 30 men and reconoiter (scout) the the country south to find where and what Forrests Rebel command was and where located the order was obeyed and I was 3 days and nights out in cold drizzelling rain that I reported on my return on or about the 11th of December 1863; That on being relieved from that duty was taken sick from cold and exposure on said scout - that I was removed to a citizens house that I lay for 6 weeks under the surgeons care that on the 20 of February 1864 I was granted a sick furlough I went Memphis returned March 20 - 1864 yet so week that I was not considered able for duty and had permission to stop at Abe Patton's house (a citizen) 3/4 of mile from Regll Camp. That on the 24 of March 1864 Forrest's (Rebels) comd attacked the Reg (7th Tenn) at daylight I rode through the enemy skirmish line to my Co formed them and led them until about 11 A.M. when the 7th Tennessee was surrendered by the Col in command I was Pris of War 12 mo that I was separated from my men and officers in Prison on account of escaping in all 7 times"
He was honorably discharged at Camp Parole, Md on 12 March 1865. He gave his physical description as 6 feet tall, fair complexion, grey eyes and dark hair. His occupation was blacksmith. He was born near Maysville, Daviess Co., Ind. He resided LeGrange, Tenn., Eureka, Ill., Denver Col., Stockton Cal., Eastern Wash., Eddy, New Mexico, Klondike, North West Territories, British America, Valdez, Alaska, Spokane, Wash. He left LeGrange in 1869, left Eureka in 1871, left Denver in 1875, left Stockton in 1878, left Wash. in 1892, left New Mexico in 1897, left the North West Terr. in 1904, and left Valdez in 1904.
Will was known for his great debating skills as well. Both his children, Frank and Mary Willa followed in his footsteps in this respect.
When Will was seven his mother came down with "sun sickness" or "sun neuralgia". She was taken to Memphis where a doctor tended to her. The doctor treated her with blood letting and by the use of leeches. Eliza went to sleep and never wakened. A lock of Eliza's light red hair was cut from her head and given to Will to keep. It was to be that Will's favorite color was red. He was disappointed when none of his children had red hair.
"... Mother died, and I was an orphan practically ever after, Father failing to provide for me." The next three years were spent with his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Wells Renshaw, and numerous uncles and cousins living in New Harmony, Indiana and Grayville or Albion, Illinois. In 1847 his father married Elizabeth Ann Young. At this time he took his son to live with the both of them at Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Soon his thirteen brothers and sisters began to arrive.
Will was an apprentice blacksmith. "[I] learned my trade at Mt. Vernon Posey Co., Ind. in part and part Memphis Tennessee alternately working at Blacksmithing and Flat Boating untill [sic] commencement of Civil War." Will was strong and his apprenticeship went well until the master smith took another boy as an apprentice. The two boys quarreled and finally fought. The boy was struck down with a smithy tool and Will left. By the time Will was eighteen he owned a flat boat and plied the Mississippi River with freight.
He loved to sing the popular ballads of the day while being accompanied by an accordion, and to dance to the "schottische". Will learned to fence with the sword and to write "Spencerian". He would draw beautiful birds and flowers about the margins of his letters. He was a strong swimmer and claimed he had to swim across the Mississippi one time to save his life.
William Allender enlisted as a 4th Corporal in Independent Co. B, Capt Carmichael, Ill Vol. on 19 August 1861 at Metropolis, Massac Co. Illinois, or Cairo, Illinois. Also listed 7th Cavalry.
In his own words: "I William F. Allender Late 1st Lieut Co "C" 7th Tennessee Voll Cav being under oath do solumnly swear that I was under orders from Col Isaac R. Hawkins Comdr 7th Tenn Cav at Union City Tennessee on or about the 7th of December 1863 - That I was ordered to take 30 men and reconoiter (scout) the the country south to find where and what Forrests Rebel command was and where located the order was obeyed and I was 3 days and nights out in cold drizzelling rain that I reported on my return on or about the 11th of December 1863; That on being relieved from that duty was taken sick from cold and exposure on said scout - that I was removed to a citizens house that I lay for 6 weeks under the surgeons care that on the 20 of February 1864 I was granted a sick furlough I went Memphis returned March 20 - 1864 yet so week that I was not considered able for duty and had permission to stop at Abe Patton's house (a citizen) 3/4 of mile from Regll Camp. That on the 24 of March 1864 Forrest's (Rebels) comd attacked the Reg (7th Tenn) at daylight I rode through the enemy skirmish line to my Co formed them and led them until about 11 A.M. when the 7th Tennessee was surrendered by the Col in command I was Pris of War 12 mo that I was separated from my men and officers in Prison on account of escaping in all 7 times"
He was honorably discharged at Camp Parole, Md on 12 March 1865. He gave his physical description as 6 feet tall, fair complexion, grey eyes and dark hair. His occupation was blacksmith. He was born near Maysville, Daviess Co., Ind. He resided LeGrange, Tenn., Eureka, Ill., Denver Col., Stockton Cal., Eastern Wash., Eddy, New Mexico, Klondike, North West Territories, British America, Valdez, Alaska, Spokane, Wash. He left LeGrange in 1869, left Eureka in 1871, left Denver in 1875, left Stockton in 1878, left Wash. in 1892, left New Mexico in 1897, left the North West Terr. in 1904, and left Valdez in 1904.
Will was known for his great debating skills as well. Both his children, Frank and Mary Willa followed in his footsteps in this respect.
