(NOTE: Richard G. Finch and his brother, Bruce Finch, probably never had their portraits taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Richard and Bruce, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were printed in the form of what was called a "tin type", or more aften in the form of what was called a CDV, which was a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies of these made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and to send to their friends and loved ones back home.
Richard and Bruce then survived the war and lived into the 20th century. During their lives, Richard and Bruce probably had their pictures taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of their CDV's added to their Find A Grave sites for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see ANY pictures of them added to their Find A Grave Memorials, even ones of them as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private RICHARD GARDNER FINCH, Co. F, 86th Illinois
Richard Garner Finch was born on March __, 1841 in Indiana, almost certainly Hamilton County, the son of William Finch, possibly Frederick William Finch, and Phebe Ann (Gardner) Finch. William Finch was born c. 27 February, 1816/17 in Ohio. William was married to Phebe Ann Gardner on October 11, 1839 in Hamilton County, Indiana. Phebe was born c. October 5, 1817/19 in Indiana.
At least ten children were born to William and Phobe, seven of whom are living at the time of their mother's death in 1903 and are listed in her will record. Julian Finch and Hamilton Finch are known to have died by then;
1. Richard Gardner Finch, born March __, 1841 in ___________ County, Indiana. See his biography below.
2. Hamilton Finch, born c. 1842 in Indiana, almost certainly in Hamilton County. Late in the Civil War, on February 6, 1865, Hamilton Finch volunteered to serve in Co. A of the 151 st Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. However, he got quite sick shortly after he enlisted and by February 25, 1865 was sick in a hospital. He is believed to have spent most, if not all, of the rest of the time he was in the service, sick in the hospital. Hamilton Finch was mustered out of the service on July 15, 1865 at Springfield, Illinois.
Hamilton's never truly regained his health and died on 13 Jan 1867. He is believed to have been about 24 years of age. His mortal remains were laid in the Abingdon Cemetery in Abingdon, Knox County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial #8032191.
3. Bruce Finch, born August 22, 1844 in Hamilton County, Indiana. As his older brother, Richard, Bruce volunteered on July 29, 1862 to serve in what would become Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Bruce would serve the remainder of the war in Co. F, mustering out on June 6, 1865 in Washington, D. C.
Bruce was married 1st to Geanette Harris (1847 - 1896) in 1867.
The children born to Bruce and Geanette include;
A. Effie N. Finch (1880 - 1881)
Bruce was married 2nd to Minnie M Porter (1875 - 1947) in 1____.
Bruce Finch died on 28 Jul 1908 and his mortal remains were laid in the Seneca Cemetery in Seneca, Newton County, Missouri. See his Find A Grave Memorial #5526660 for more information about him and his family.
4. Marcella Finch, born c. 1845/46 in Indiana.
5. Louisa Finch, born c. 1847/48 in Indiana.
6. Julian Finch, born c. ____________ __, 1850 in Illinois. Julian Finch died at the age of 20 on 10 December 1870 and his mortal remains were laid in the Richardson Chapel Cemetery in Harvard, Wayne County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial #107452007.
7. Samantha Finch, born c. 1852/55 in Illinois.
8. Orman Hupp Finch, born c. September 5, 1857/58/59 in Knox County, Illinois, possibly in Chestnut or Galesburg Township. Orman Hupp Finch was married to Florence Belle Thurston (1870 - 1960) in 1886.
Orman died on 15 Apr 1917 in Hays, Ellis County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the Norman Cemetery in Ellis County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #19218456.
9. Cinthia Finch, born c. 1859 in Illinois.
10. Lucinda Finch, born c. 1861/62 in Illinois.
The Finch family came west to Illinois in the late 1840's, probably about 1848 or 1849. At the time of the 1850 census, the Finch family is found in Knox County, Illinois;
William Finch 34 Blacksmith Ind
Phebe Finch 32 Ind
Richard Finch 10 Ind
Hamilton Finch 7 Ind
Bruce Finch 5 Ind
Mercelia Finch 4 Ind
Louisa Finch 2 Ind
At the time of the 1860 census, the Finch family is found in Chestnut Township of Knox Cpunty, Illinois;
William Finch 41 Blacksmith OH
Phoebe Finch 39 Indiana
Richard Finch 20 Ind
Hamilton Finch 18 Ind
Bruce Finch 16 Ind
Marcella Finch 14 Ind
Louisa Finch 12 Ind
Julian Finch 10 Ind
Samantha Finch 8 Ind
Orrnan Finch 2 Ind
Cinthia Finch 1 Ind
In the 1860's the Finch family moved on west to Iowa. At the time of the 1870 census, the Finch family is found in Jackson Township, Wayne County, Iowa;
William Finch 53 Farmer Ohio
Phebe Finch 51 Keeping House Ind
Julian Finch 19 Farm work IL
Samantha Finch 14 At school IL
Orman Finch 12 At school IL
Cinthia Finch 10 At school IL
Lucinda Finch 8 At school IL
William Finch died on 5 Jul 1875 in Iowa and his mortal remains were laid in the Richardson Chapel Cemetery in Harvard, Wayne County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial #107238701.
Phebe Ann (Gardner) Finch died on 26 Dec 1903 and her mortal remains were laid in the Richardson Chapel Cemetery in Harvard, Wayne County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial #154796228.
Now to continue with the biography of Richard Garner Finch;
On July 29, 1862, Richard's younger brother, Bruce Finch, who would have been about 17 - 18 years of age, was one of the very first to volunteer to serve in a company which was being raised in the Maquon, Illinois area for service in the Union Army during the Civil War by a local well known Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burkhalter.
It is believed that sometime shortly after this, probably in August of 1862, that Richard Gardner Finch, also volunteered to serve in this same company,perhaps to look after his little brother.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name FINCH, RICHARD
Rank PVT Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age N/A Height 5' 9 1/2 Hair DARK
Eyes GRAY Complexion DARK Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity PIKE CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When N/A Joined Where N/A
Joined By Whom N/A Period N/A
Muster In N/A Muster In Where N/A
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY APR 8, 1865 AT GOLDSBORO NC
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. There on August 27, 1862, he was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers, including now Privates Bruce Finch and Richard G. Finch were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th boarded traina bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederate Army withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp.
During these next two and a half years, Bruce and Richard Finch and the rest of the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Bruce and Richard were witness to and participants in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina to name a few and marched with Sherman to the Sea.
About the time that the opening movements of what would become known as the "Atlanta Campaign" began, Private Richard G. Finch is known to have been sent to the hospital. On Sunday, May 1, 1864, James L. Burkhalter, Captain of Co. F, wrote the following is his diary. "Active preparations are under way today for the impending campaign. All surplus baggage is going to the rear for storage in Chattanooga and everybody is busy and anxiously waiting for the order to move forward. Though the weather has been poor all day, the men are nearly all out of their quarters and tramping about through the drizzling rain and mud.
Sick in hospital
had to send Richard Finch to the hospital at Chattanooga. He is sick with an intermittent fever."
It is not known how long Richard G. Finch remained in the hospital or how many of the engagements that he missed in 1864, but, it appears that at some point he rejoined his brother, Bruce, and his old Co. F, as he is known to have been with his unit during the "Carolina Campaign" in the spring of 1865, so he probably participated in the "March to the Sea."
During the last battles of the war, Private Richard G. Finch may have been slightly wounded or injured in some way. He also may have just been sick. Whatever, the case, after the war came to an end, Bruce and the other surviving members of the 86th Illinois & McCook's Brigade, marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) at this time. However, Private Richard G. Gardner is known to have been left behind in an Goldsboro, North Carolina area hospital, either sick, wounded or injured at this time. He never rejoined his old Co. F and he would not see his brother, Bruce, again until the both returned to Central Illinois. Private Richard G. Finch remained in the hospital in the Goldsboro area and was mustered out of the service on April 8, 1865 and most likely sent home.
At some point in late March, April or early May of 1865, the healthy members of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington. There they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. They were mustered out of the service on June 6, 1865 in Washington and were soon on a train bound for Chicago. There they received their final pay and discharge and by the end of June, the surviving members of Co F were back home with their families in Knox County and Bruce and Richard saw each other for the first time in several months.
It is recorded that Richard Finch was married to Ann Gummell on September 8, 1865 in Knox County, Illinois. Angeline "Ann" (Gummell) Finch was born c. 1845 in New Jersey.
Eight children are believed to have been born to Richard and Angeline "Ann" (Gummell) Finch including;
1. William Hamilton Finch, born ___________ __, 1866 in Illinois.
2. Medena Thelma Finch, born ___________ __, 1867 in Iowa.
3. John Finch, born 1871/72 in Iowa.
4. Richard Finch, born 1875/76 in Iowa,
5. Jordon Finch, born 1877/78 in Kansas. Jordon is found in the 1880 and 1895 census records with the family in Kansas.
6. Volney J. Finch, born ____________ __, 1879 in Kansas. Volney is found in the 1880 and 1895 census records with the family in Kansas.
7. Arden Finch, born c. 1880 in Kansas. Arden is found with the family in the 1895 census record with the family. Arden was married to Agnes ________ c. 1905/06. At least two sons were born to them;
A. Milton Theodore Finch, born February 18, 1907 in Kansas. Milton died on December 30, 1985 and his mortal remains were laid in the Smith Prairie Cemetery in Elmore County, Idaho. See his Find A Grave Memorial #76296048.
B. Arden Finch, born ___________ __, 1908 in Idaho.
8. Lurilla M. Finch, born ____________ __, 1883 in Kansas. Lurilla is found in the 1895 census record with the family in Kansas. Lurilla was married to Ferdinand Dohm, who was born in Germany c. 1868. Ferdinand and Lurilla had one daughter before Lurilla died from
complications of childbirth in 1904;
A. Inez Lucile Dohn, born c. 1904 in Nebraska.
At the time of the 1870 census, Richard and his family are found residing next door to his brother, Bruce, in Jackson Township, Wayne County, Iowa;
83 Richard Finch 29 Farmer Ind
Angeline Finch 25 Keeping House NJ
Hamilton Finch 4 IL
Medina Finch 2 IA
84 Bruce Finch 25 Farmer Ind
Jenetta Finch 21 Keeping House Ind
Leroy Finch 2 IA
Ivey E. Finch 6/12 Feb 1870 IA
Sometime after 1876, Richard G. Finch moved his family still further west to Kansas. At the time of the 1880 census, Richard and his family are found in Saline Township, Ellis County, Kansas;
Dick Finch 39 Farmer Ind
Angeline Finch 34 Keeping House NJ
Hamilton Finch 13 At home IL
Madina Finch 12 At school Iowa
John Finch 8 At school Iowa
Richard Finch 4 Iowa
Jordon Finch 2 Kan
Volma Finch 10/12 Kansas
At the time of the 1895 Kansas State census, the Finch family, mispelled Funch, is found in Saline Township of Ellis County, Kansas;
R. G. Funch 54 Ind
Angeline Funch 49 Jew Jersey
Richard Funch 20 Iowa
Jordon Funch 18 Kan
Volney Funch 16 Kan
Arden Funch 15 Kan
L. Funch 13 Kan
Richard G. Finch is known to have resided at Turkville, Kansas until about 1899 and then was believed by the surviving members of the 86th to reside in Codell, Kansas for some time after that.
At the time of the 1910 census, Richard and his family are found in Smiths Prairie, Elmore County Idaho;
Richard FincH HEAD 69 Ind OH OH Farmer
Angelina Finch Wife 65 NJ NJ NJ
Ferdinand Dohm Son-in-law 42 Germany Ger Ger Farm Laborer
Inez Lucile Dohm Grand Dau. 6 Nebraska Ger Kan
Arden Finch HEAD 4 29 KS IND NJ
Agnes Finch Wife 4 2 2 22 KS
Milton Finch Son 3 KS
Arden Finch Son 1 2/12 Kan
The PLAINVILLE TIMES newspaper, of Plainville, Kansas published the following in it's May 16, 1918 edition;
"Richard Finch, formerly a prominent farmer at Turkville vicinity and later a resident of Plainville, died May 5th in California. He was eighty years or so of age."
by Baxter B. Fite III
Richard and Bruce then survived the war and lived into the 20th century. During their lives, Richard and Bruce probably had their pictures taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of their CDV's added to their Find A Grave sites for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see ANY pictures of them added to their Find A Grave Memorials, even ones of them as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private RICHARD GARDNER FINCH, Co. F, 86th Illinois
Richard Garner Finch was born on March __, 1841 in Indiana, almost certainly Hamilton County, the son of William Finch, possibly Frederick William Finch, and Phebe Ann (Gardner) Finch. William Finch was born c. 27 February, 1816/17 in Ohio. William was married to Phebe Ann Gardner on October 11, 1839 in Hamilton County, Indiana. Phebe was born c. October 5, 1817/19 in Indiana.
At least ten children were born to William and Phobe, seven of whom are living at the time of their mother's death in 1903 and are listed in her will record. Julian Finch and Hamilton Finch are known to have died by then;
1. Richard Gardner Finch, born March __, 1841 in ___________ County, Indiana. See his biography below.
2. Hamilton Finch, born c. 1842 in Indiana, almost certainly in Hamilton County. Late in the Civil War, on February 6, 1865, Hamilton Finch volunteered to serve in Co. A of the 151 st Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. However, he got quite sick shortly after he enlisted and by February 25, 1865 was sick in a hospital. He is believed to have spent most, if not all, of the rest of the time he was in the service, sick in the hospital. Hamilton Finch was mustered out of the service on July 15, 1865 at Springfield, Illinois.
Hamilton's never truly regained his health and died on 13 Jan 1867. He is believed to have been about 24 years of age. His mortal remains were laid in the Abingdon Cemetery in Abingdon, Knox County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial #8032191.
3. Bruce Finch, born August 22, 1844 in Hamilton County, Indiana. As his older brother, Richard, Bruce volunteered on July 29, 1862 to serve in what would become Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Bruce would serve the remainder of the war in Co. F, mustering out on June 6, 1865 in Washington, D. C.
Bruce was married 1st to Geanette Harris (1847 - 1896) in 1867.
The children born to Bruce and Geanette include;
A. Effie N. Finch (1880 - 1881)
Bruce was married 2nd to Minnie M Porter (1875 - 1947) in 1____.
Bruce Finch died on 28 Jul 1908 and his mortal remains were laid in the Seneca Cemetery in Seneca, Newton County, Missouri. See his Find A Grave Memorial #5526660 for more information about him and his family.
4. Marcella Finch, born c. 1845/46 in Indiana.
5. Louisa Finch, born c. 1847/48 in Indiana.
6. Julian Finch, born c. ____________ __, 1850 in Illinois. Julian Finch died at the age of 20 on 10 December 1870 and his mortal remains were laid in the Richardson Chapel Cemetery in Harvard, Wayne County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial #107452007.
7. Samantha Finch, born c. 1852/55 in Illinois.
8. Orman Hupp Finch, born c. September 5, 1857/58/59 in Knox County, Illinois, possibly in Chestnut or Galesburg Township. Orman Hupp Finch was married to Florence Belle Thurston (1870 - 1960) in 1886.
Orman died on 15 Apr 1917 in Hays, Ellis County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the Norman Cemetery in Ellis County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #19218456.
9. Cinthia Finch, born c. 1859 in Illinois.
10. Lucinda Finch, born c. 1861/62 in Illinois.
The Finch family came west to Illinois in the late 1840's, probably about 1848 or 1849. At the time of the 1850 census, the Finch family is found in Knox County, Illinois;
William Finch 34 Blacksmith Ind
Phebe Finch 32 Ind
Richard Finch 10 Ind
Hamilton Finch 7 Ind
Bruce Finch 5 Ind
Mercelia Finch 4 Ind
Louisa Finch 2 Ind
At the time of the 1860 census, the Finch family is found in Chestnut Township of Knox Cpunty, Illinois;
William Finch 41 Blacksmith OH
Phoebe Finch 39 Indiana
Richard Finch 20 Ind
Hamilton Finch 18 Ind
Bruce Finch 16 Ind
Marcella Finch 14 Ind
Louisa Finch 12 Ind
Julian Finch 10 Ind
Samantha Finch 8 Ind
Orrnan Finch 2 Ind
Cinthia Finch 1 Ind
In the 1860's the Finch family moved on west to Iowa. At the time of the 1870 census, the Finch family is found in Jackson Township, Wayne County, Iowa;
William Finch 53 Farmer Ohio
Phebe Finch 51 Keeping House Ind
Julian Finch 19 Farm work IL
Samantha Finch 14 At school IL
Orman Finch 12 At school IL
Cinthia Finch 10 At school IL
Lucinda Finch 8 At school IL
William Finch died on 5 Jul 1875 in Iowa and his mortal remains were laid in the Richardson Chapel Cemetery in Harvard, Wayne County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial #107238701.
Phebe Ann (Gardner) Finch died on 26 Dec 1903 and her mortal remains were laid in the Richardson Chapel Cemetery in Harvard, Wayne County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial #154796228.
Now to continue with the biography of Richard Garner Finch;
On July 29, 1862, Richard's younger brother, Bruce Finch, who would have been about 17 - 18 years of age, was one of the very first to volunteer to serve in a company which was being raised in the Maquon, Illinois area for service in the Union Army during the Civil War by a local well known Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burkhalter.
It is believed that sometime shortly after this, probably in August of 1862, that Richard Gardner Finch, also volunteered to serve in this same company,perhaps to look after his little brother.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name FINCH, RICHARD
Rank PVT Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age N/A Height 5' 9 1/2 Hair DARK
Eyes GRAY Complexion DARK Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity PIKE CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When N/A Joined Where N/A
Joined By Whom N/A Period N/A
Muster In N/A Muster In Where N/A
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY APR 8, 1865 AT GOLDSBORO NC
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. There on August 27, 1862, he was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers, including now Privates Bruce Finch and Richard G. Finch were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th boarded traina bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederate Army withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp.
During these next two and a half years, Bruce and Richard Finch and the rest of the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Bruce and Richard were witness to and participants in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina to name a few and marched with Sherman to the Sea.
About the time that the opening movements of what would become known as the "Atlanta Campaign" began, Private Richard G. Finch is known to have been sent to the hospital. On Sunday, May 1, 1864, James L. Burkhalter, Captain of Co. F, wrote the following is his diary. "Active preparations are under way today for the impending campaign. All surplus baggage is going to the rear for storage in Chattanooga and everybody is busy and anxiously waiting for the order to move forward. Though the weather has been poor all day, the men are nearly all out of their quarters and tramping about through the drizzling rain and mud.
Sick in hospital
had to send Richard Finch to the hospital at Chattanooga. He is sick with an intermittent fever."
It is not known how long Richard G. Finch remained in the hospital or how many of the engagements that he missed in 1864, but, it appears that at some point he rejoined his brother, Bruce, and his old Co. F, as he is known to have been with his unit during the "Carolina Campaign" in the spring of 1865, so he probably participated in the "March to the Sea."
During the last battles of the war, Private Richard G. Finch may have been slightly wounded or injured in some way. He also may have just been sick. Whatever, the case, after the war came to an end, Bruce and the other surviving members of the 86th Illinois & McCook's Brigade, marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) at this time. However, Private Richard G. Gardner is known to have been left behind in an Goldsboro, North Carolina area hospital, either sick, wounded or injured at this time. He never rejoined his old Co. F and he would not see his brother, Bruce, again until the both returned to Central Illinois. Private Richard G. Finch remained in the hospital in the Goldsboro area and was mustered out of the service on April 8, 1865 and most likely sent home.
At some point in late March, April or early May of 1865, the healthy members of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington. There they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. They were mustered out of the service on June 6, 1865 in Washington and were soon on a train bound for Chicago. There they received their final pay and discharge and by the end of June, the surviving members of Co F were back home with their families in Knox County and Bruce and Richard saw each other for the first time in several months.
It is recorded that Richard Finch was married to Ann Gummell on September 8, 1865 in Knox County, Illinois. Angeline "Ann" (Gummell) Finch was born c. 1845 in New Jersey.
Eight children are believed to have been born to Richard and Angeline "Ann" (Gummell) Finch including;
1. William Hamilton Finch, born ___________ __, 1866 in Illinois.
2. Medena Thelma Finch, born ___________ __, 1867 in Iowa.
3. John Finch, born 1871/72 in Iowa.
4. Richard Finch, born 1875/76 in Iowa,
5. Jordon Finch, born 1877/78 in Kansas. Jordon is found in the 1880 and 1895 census records with the family in Kansas.
6. Volney J. Finch, born ____________ __, 1879 in Kansas. Volney is found in the 1880 and 1895 census records with the family in Kansas.
7. Arden Finch, born c. 1880 in Kansas. Arden is found with the family in the 1895 census record with the family. Arden was married to Agnes ________ c. 1905/06. At least two sons were born to them;
A. Milton Theodore Finch, born February 18, 1907 in Kansas. Milton died on December 30, 1985 and his mortal remains were laid in the Smith Prairie Cemetery in Elmore County, Idaho. See his Find A Grave Memorial #76296048.
B. Arden Finch, born ___________ __, 1908 in Idaho.
8. Lurilla M. Finch, born ____________ __, 1883 in Kansas. Lurilla is found in the 1895 census record with the family in Kansas. Lurilla was married to Ferdinand Dohm, who was born in Germany c. 1868. Ferdinand and Lurilla had one daughter before Lurilla died from
complications of childbirth in 1904;
A. Inez Lucile Dohn, born c. 1904 in Nebraska.
At the time of the 1870 census, Richard and his family are found residing next door to his brother, Bruce, in Jackson Township, Wayne County, Iowa;
83 Richard Finch 29 Farmer Ind
Angeline Finch 25 Keeping House NJ
Hamilton Finch 4 IL
Medina Finch 2 IA
84 Bruce Finch 25 Farmer Ind
Jenetta Finch 21 Keeping House Ind
Leroy Finch 2 IA
Ivey E. Finch 6/12 Feb 1870 IA
Sometime after 1876, Richard G. Finch moved his family still further west to Kansas. At the time of the 1880 census, Richard and his family are found in Saline Township, Ellis County, Kansas;
Dick Finch 39 Farmer Ind
Angeline Finch 34 Keeping House NJ
Hamilton Finch 13 At home IL
Madina Finch 12 At school Iowa
John Finch 8 At school Iowa
Richard Finch 4 Iowa
Jordon Finch 2 Kan
Volma Finch 10/12 Kansas
At the time of the 1895 Kansas State census, the Finch family, mispelled Funch, is found in Saline Township of Ellis County, Kansas;
R. G. Funch 54 Ind
Angeline Funch 49 Jew Jersey
Richard Funch 20 Iowa
Jordon Funch 18 Kan
Volney Funch 16 Kan
Arden Funch 15 Kan
L. Funch 13 Kan
Richard G. Finch is known to have resided at Turkville, Kansas until about 1899 and then was believed by the surviving members of the 86th to reside in Codell, Kansas for some time after that.
At the time of the 1910 census, Richard and his family are found in Smiths Prairie, Elmore County Idaho;
Richard FincH HEAD 69 Ind OH OH Farmer
Angelina Finch Wife 65 NJ NJ NJ
Ferdinand Dohm Son-in-law 42 Germany Ger Ger Farm Laborer
Inez Lucile Dohm Grand Dau. 6 Nebraska Ger Kan
Arden Finch HEAD 4 29 KS IND NJ
Agnes Finch Wife 4 2 2 22 KS
Milton Finch Son 3 KS
Arden Finch Son 1 2/12 Kan
The PLAINVILLE TIMES newspaper, of Plainville, Kansas published the following in it's May 16, 1918 edition;
"Richard Finch, formerly a prominent farmer at Turkville vicinity and later a resident of Plainville, died May 5th in California. He was eighty years or so of age."
by Baxter B. Fite III
(NOTE: Richard G. Finch and his brother, Bruce Finch, probably never had their portraits taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Richard and Bruce, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were printed in the form of what was called a "tin type", or more aften in the form of what was called a CDV, which was a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies of these made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and to send to their friends and loved ones back home.
Richard and Bruce then survived the war and lived into the 20th century. During their lives, Richard and Bruce probably had their pictures taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of their CDV's added to their Find A Grave sites for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see ANY pictures of them added to their Find A Grave Memorials, even ones of them as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private RICHARD GARDNER FINCH, Co. F, 86th Illinois
Richard Garner Finch was born on March __, 1841 in Indiana, almost certainly Hamilton County, the son of William Finch, possibly Frederick William Finch, and Phebe Ann (Gardner) Finch. William Finch was born c. 27 February, 1816/17 in Ohio. William was married to Phebe Ann Gardner on October 11, 1839 in Hamilton County, Indiana. Phebe was born c. October 5, 1817/19 in Indiana.
At least ten children were born to William and Phobe, seven of whom are living at the time of their mother's death in 1903 and are listed in her will record. Julian Finch and Hamilton Finch are known to have died by then;
1. Richard Gardner Finch, born March __, 1841 in ___________ County, Indiana. See his biography below.
2. Hamilton Finch, born c. 1842 in Indiana, almost certainly in Hamilton County. Late in the Civil War, on February 6, 1865, Hamilton Finch volunteered to serve in Co. A of the 151 st Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. However, he got quite sick shortly after he enlisted and by February 25, 1865 was sick in a hospital. He is believed to have spent most, if not all, of the rest of the time he was in the service, sick in the hospital. Hamilton Finch was mustered out of the service on July 15, 1865 at Springfield, Illinois.
Hamilton's never truly regained his health and died on 13 Jan 1867. He is believed to have been about 24 years of age. His mortal remains were laid in the Abingdon Cemetery in Abingdon, Knox County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial #8032191.
3. Bruce Finch, born August 22, 1844 in Hamilton County, Indiana. As his older brother, Richard, Bruce volunteered on July 29, 1862 to serve in what would become Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Bruce would serve the remainder of the war in Co. F, mustering out on June 6, 1865 in Washington, D. C.
Bruce was married 1st to Geanette Harris (1847 - 1896) in 1867.
The children born to Bruce and Geanette include;
A. Effie N. Finch (1880 - 1881)
Bruce was married 2nd to Minnie M Porter (1875 - 1947) in 1____.
Bruce Finch died on 28 Jul 1908 and his mortal remains were laid in the Seneca Cemetery in Seneca, Newton County, Missouri. See his Find A Grave Memorial #5526660 for more information about him and his family.
4. Marcella Finch, born c. 1845/46 in Indiana.
5. Louisa Finch, born c. 1847/48 in Indiana.
6. Julian Finch, born c. ____________ __, 1850 in Illinois. Julian Finch died at the age of 20 on 10 December 1870 and his mortal remains were laid in the Richardson Chapel Cemetery in Harvard, Wayne County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial #107452007.
7. Samantha Finch, born c. 1852/55 in Illinois.
8. Orman Hupp Finch, born c. September 5, 1857/58/59 in Knox County, Illinois, possibly in Chestnut or Galesburg Township. Orman Hupp Finch was married to Florence Belle Thurston (1870 - 1960) in 1886.
Orman died on 15 Apr 1917 in Hays, Ellis County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the Norman Cemetery in Ellis County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #19218456.
9. Cinthia Finch, born c. 1859 in Illinois.
10. Lucinda Finch, born c. 1861/62 in Illinois.
The Finch family came west to Illinois in the late 1840's, probably about 1848 or 1849. At the time of the 1850 census, the Finch family is found in Knox County, Illinois;
William Finch 34 Blacksmith Ind
Phebe Finch 32 Ind
Richard Finch 10 Ind
Hamilton Finch 7 Ind
Bruce Finch 5 Ind
Mercelia Finch 4 Ind
Louisa Finch 2 Ind
At the time of the 1860 census, the Finch family is found in Chestnut Township of Knox Cpunty, Illinois;
William Finch 41 Blacksmith OH
Phoebe Finch 39 Indiana
Richard Finch 20 Ind
Hamilton Finch 18 Ind
Bruce Finch 16 Ind
Marcella Finch 14 Ind
Louisa Finch 12 Ind
Julian Finch 10 Ind
Samantha Finch 8 Ind
Orrnan Finch 2 Ind
Cinthia Finch 1 Ind
In the 1860's the Finch family moved on west to Iowa. At the time of the 1870 census, the Finch family is found in Jackson Township, Wayne County, Iowa;
William Finch 53 Farmer Ohio
Phebe Finch 51 Keeping House Ind
Julian Finch 19 Farm work IL
Samantha Finch 14 At school IL
Orman Finch 12 At school IL
Cinthia Finch 10 At school IL
Lucinda Finch 8 At school IL
William Finch died on 5 Jul 1875 in Iowa and his mortal remains were laid in the Richardson Chapel Cemetery in Harvard, Wayne County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial #107238701.
Phebe Ann (Gardner) Finch died on 26 Dec 1903 and her mortal remains were laid in the Richardson Chapel Cemetery in Harvard, Wayne County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial #154796228.
Now to continue with the biography of Richard Garner Finch;
On July 29, 1862, Richard's younger brother, Bruce Finch, who would have been about 17 - 18 years of age, was one of the very first to volunteer to serve in a company which was being raised in the Maquon, Illinois area for service in the Union Army during the Civil War by a local well known Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burkhalter.
It is believed that sometime shortly after this, probably in August of 1862, that Richard Gardner Finch, also volunteered to serve in this same company,perhaps to look after his little brother.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name FINCH, RICHARD
Rank PVT Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age N/A Height 5' 9 1/2 Hair DARK
Eyes GRAY Complexion DARK Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity PIKE CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When N/A Joined Where N/A
Joined By Whom N/A Period N/A
Muster In N/A Muster In Where N/A
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY APR 8, 1865 AT GOLDSBORO NC
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. There on August 27, 1862, he was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers, including now Privates Bruce Finch and Richard G. Finch were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th boarded traina bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederate Army withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp.
During these next two and a half years, Bruce and Richard Finch and the rest of the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Bruce and Richard were witness to and participants in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina to name a few and marched with Sherman to the Sea.
About the time that the opening movements of what would become known as the "Atlanta Campaign" began, Private Richard G. Finch is known to have been sent to the hospital. On Sunday, May 1, 1864, James L. Burkhalter, Captain of Co. F, wrote the following is his diary. "Active preparations are under way today for the impending campaign. All surplus baggage is going to the rear for storage in Chattanooga and everybody is busy and anxiously waiting for the order to move forward. Though the weather has been poor all day, the men are nearly all out of their quarters and tramping about through the drizzling rain and mud.
Sick in hospital
had to send Richard Finch to the hospital at Chattanooga. He is sick with an intermittent fever."
It is not known how long Richard G. Finch remained in the hospital or how many of the engagements that he missed in 1864, but, it appears that at some point he rejoined his brother, Bruce, and his old Co. F, as he is known to have been with his unit during the "Carolina Campaign" in the spring of 1865, so he probably participated in the "March to the Sea."
During the last battles of the war, Private Richard G. Finch may have been slightly wounded or injured in some way. He also may have just been sick. Whatever, the case, after the war came to an end, Bruce and the other surviving members of the 86th Illinois & McCook's Brigade, marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) at this time. However, Private Richard G. Gardner is known to have been left behind in an Goldsboro, North Carolina area hospital, either sick, wounded or injured at this time. He never rejoined his old Co. F and he would not see his brother, Bruce, again until the both returned to Central Illinois. Private Richard G. Finch remained in the hospital in the Goldsboro area and was mustered out of the service on April 8, 1865 and most likely sent home.
At some point in late March, April or early May of 1865, the healthy members of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington. There they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. They were mustered out of the service on June 6, 1865 in Washington and were soon on a train bound for Chicago. There they received their final pay and discharge and by the end of June, the surviving members of Co F were back home with their families in Knox County and Bruce and Richard saw each other for the first time in several months.
It is recorded that Richard Finch was married to Ann Gummell on September 8, 1865 in Knox County, Illinois. Angeline "Ann" (Gummell) Finch was born c. 1845 in New Jersey.
Eight children are believed to have been born to Richard and Angeline "Ann" (Gummell) Finch including;
1. William Hamilton Finch, born ___________ __, 1866 in Illinois.
2. Medena Thelma Finch, born ___________ __, 1867 in Iowa.
3. John Finch, born 1871/72 in Iowa.
4. Richard Finch, born 1875/76 in Iowa,
5. Jordon Finch, born 1877/78 in Kansas. Jordon is found in the 1880 and 1895 census records with the family in Kansas.
6. Volney J. Finch, born ____________ __, 1879 in Kansas. Volney is found in the 1880 and 1895 census records with the family in Kansas.
7. Arden Finch, born c. 1880 in Kansas. Arden is found with the family in the 1895 census record with the family. Arden was married to Agnes ________ c. 1905/06. At least two sons were born to them;
A. Milton Theodore Finch, born February 18, 1907 in Kansas. Milton died on December 30, 1985 and his mortal remains were laid in the Smith Prairie Cemetery in Elmore County, Idaho. See his Find A Grave Memorial #76296048.
B. Arden Finch, born ___________ __, 1908 in Idaho.
8. Lurilla M. Finch, born ____________ __, 1883 in Kansas. Lurilla is found in the 1895 census record with the family in Kansas. Lurilla was married to Ferdinand Dohm, who was born in Germany c. 1868. Ferdinand and Lurilla had one daughter before Lurilla died from
complications of childbirth in 1904;
A. Inez Lucile Dohn, born c. 1904 in Nebraska.
At the time of the 1870 census, Richard and his family are found residing next door to his brother, Bruce, in Jackson Township, Wayne County, Iowa;
83 Richard Finch 29 Farmer Ind
Angeline Finch 25 Keeping House NJ
Hamilton Finch 4 IL
Medina Finch 2 IA
84 Bruce Finch 25 Farmer Ind
Jenetta Finch 21 Keeping House Ind
Leroy Finch 2 IA
Ivey E. Finch 6/12 Feb 1870 IA
Sometime after 1876, Richard G. Finch moved his family still further west to Kansas. At the time of the 1880 census, Richard and his family are found in Saline Township, Ellis County, Kansas;
Dick Finch 39 Farmer Ind
Angeline Finch 34 Keeping House NJ
Hamilton Finch 13 At home IL
Madina Finch 12 At school Iowa
John Finch 8 At school Iowa
Richard Finch 4 Iowa
Jordon Finch 2 Kan
Volma Finch 10/12 Kansas
At the time of the 1895 Kansas State census, the Finch family, mispelled Funch, is found in Saline Township of Ellis County, Kansas;
R. G. Funch 54 Ind
Angeline Funch 49 Jew Jersey
Richard Funch 20 Iowa
Jordon Funch 18 Kan
Volney Funch 16 Kan
Arden Funch 15 Kan
L. Funch 13 Kan
Richard G. Finch is known to have resided at Turkville, Kansas until about 1899 and then was believed by the surviving members of the 86th to reside in Codell, Kansas for some time after that.
At the time of the 1910 census, Richard and his family are found in Smiths Prairie, Elmore County Idaho;
Richard FincH HEAD 69 Ind OH OH Farmer
Angelina Finch Wife 65 NJ NJ NJ
Ferdinand Dohm Son-in-law 42 Germany Ger Ger Farm Laborer
Inez Lucile Dohm Grand Dau. 6 Nebraska Ger Kan
Arden Finch HEAD 4 29 KS IND NJ
Agnes Finch Wife 4 2 2 22 KS
Milton Finch Son 3 KS
Arden Finch Son 1 2/12 Kan
The PLAINVILLE TIMES newspaper, of Plainville, Kansas published the following in it's May 16, 1918 edition;
"Richard Finch, formerly a prominent farmer at Turkville vicinity and later a resident of Plainville, died May 5th in California. He was eighty years or so of age."
by Baxter B. Fite III
Richard and Bruce then survived the war and lived into the 20th century. During their lives, Richard and Bruce probably had their pictures taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of their CDV's added to their Find A Grave sites for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see ANY pictures of them added to their Find A Grave Memorials, even ones of them as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private RICHARD GARDNER FINCH, Co. F, 86th Illinois
Richard Garner Finch was born on March __, 1841 in Indiana, almost certainly Hamilton County, the son of William Finch, possibly Frederick William Finch, and Phebe Ann (Gardner) Finch. William Finch was born c. 27 February, 1816/17 in Ohio. William was married to Phebe Ann Gardner on October 11, 1839 in Hamilton County, Indiana. Phebe was born c. October 5, 1817/19 in Indiana.
At least ten children were born to William and Phobe, seven of whom are living at the time of their mother's death in 1903 and are listed in her will record. Julian Finch and Hamilton Finch are known to have died by then;
1. Richard Gardner Finch, born March __, 1841 in ___________ County, Indiana. See his biography below.
2. Hamilton Finch, born c. 1842 in Indiana, almost certainly in Hamilton County. Late in the Civil War, on February 6, 1865, Hamilton Finch volunteered to serve in Co. A of the 151 st Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. However, he got quite sick shortly after he enlisted and by February 25, 1865 was sick in a hospital. He is believed to have spent most, if not all, of the rest of the time he was in the service, sick in the hospital. Hamilton Finch was mustered out of the service on July 15, 1865 at Springfield, Illinois.
Hamilton's never truly regained his health and died on 13 Jan 1867. He is believed to have been about 24 years of age. His mortal remains were laid in the Abingdon Cemetery in Abingdon, Knox County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial #8032191.
3. Bruce Finch, born August 22, 1844 in Hamilton County, Indiana. As his older brother, Richard, Bruce volunteered on July 29, 1862 to serve in what would become Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Bruce would serve the remainder of the war in Co. F, mustering out on June 6, 1865 in Washington, D. C.
Bruce was married 1st to Geanette Harris (1847 - 1896) in 1867.
The children born to Bruce and Geanette include;
A. Effie N. Finch (1880 - 1881)
Bruce was married 2nd to Minnie M Porter (1875 - 1947) in 1____.
Bruce Finch died on 28 Jul 1908 and his mortal remains were laid in the Seneca Cemetery in Seneca, Newton County, Missouri. See his Find A Grave Memorial #5526660 for more information about him and his family.
4. Marcella Finch, born c. 1845/46 in Indiana.
5. Louisa Finch, born c. 1847/48 in Indiana.
6. Julian Finch, born c. ____________ __, 1850 in Illinois. Julian Finch died at the age of 20 on 10 December 1870 and his mortal remains were laid in the Richardson Chapel Cemetery in Harvard, Wayne County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial #107452007.
7. Samantha Finch, born c. 1852/55 in Illinois.
8. Orman Hupp Finch, born c. September 5, 1857/58/59 in Knox County, Illinois, possibly in Chestnut or Galesburg Township. Orman Hupp Finch was married to Florence Belle Thurston (1870 - 1960) in 1886.
Orman died on 15 Apr 1917 in Hays, Ellis County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the Norman Cemetery in Ellis County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #19218456.
9. Cinthia Finch, born c. 1859 in Illinois.
10. Lucinda Finch, born c. 1861/62 in Illinois.
The Finch family came west to Illinois in the late 1840's, probably about 1848 or 1849. At the time of the 1850 census, the Finch family is found in Knox County, Illinois;
William Finch 34 Blacksmith Ind
Phebe Finch 32 Ind
Richard Finch 10 Ind
Hamilton Finch 7 Ind
Bruce Finch 5 Ind
Mercelia Finch 4 Ind
Louisa Finch 2 Ind
At the time of the 1860 census, the Finch family is found in Chestnut Township of Knox Cpunty, Illinois;
William Finch 41 Blacksmith OH
Phoebe Finch 39 Indiana
Richard Finch 20 Ind
Hamilton Finch 18 Ind
Bruce Finch 16 Ind
Marcella Finch 14 Ind
Louisa Finch 12 Ind
Julian Finch 10 Ind
Samantha Finch 8 Ind
Orrnan Finch 2 Ind
Cinthia Finch 1 Ind
In the 1860's the Finch family moved on west to Iowa. At the time of the 1870 census, the Finch family is found in Jackson Township, Wayne County, Iowa;
William Finch 53 Farmer Ohio
Phebe Finch 51 Keeping House Ind
Julian Finch 19 Farm work IL
Samantha Finch 14 At school IL
Orman Finch 12 At school IL
Cinthia Finch 10 At school IL
Lucinda Finch 8 At school IL
William Finch died on 5 Jul 1875 in Iowa and his mortal remains were laid in the Richardson Chapel Cemetery in Harvard, Wayne County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave Memorial #107238701.
Phebe Ann (Gardner) Finch died on 26 Dec 1903 and her mortal remains were laid in the Richardson Chapel Cemetery in Harvard, Wayne County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial #154796228.
Now to continue with the biography of Richard Garner Finch;
On July 29, 1862, Richard's younger brother, Bruce Finch, who would have been about 17 - 18 years of age, was one of the very first to volunteer to serve in a company which was being raised in the Maquon, Illinois area for service in the Union Army during the Civil War by a local well known Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burkhalter.
It is believed that sometime shortly after this, probably in August of 1862, that Richard Gardner Finch, also volunteered to serve in this same company,perhaps to look after his little brother.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name FINCH, RICHARD
Rank PVT Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age N/A Height 5' 9 1/2 Hair DARK
Eyes GRAY Complexion DARK Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity PIKE CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When N/A Joined Where N/A
Joined By Whom N/A Period N/A
Muster In N/A Muster In Where N/A
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY APR 8, 1865 AT GOLDSBORO NC
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. There on August 27, 1862, he was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers, including now Privates Bruce Finch and Richard G. Finch were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th boarded traina bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Union victory at Perryville, the Confederate Army withdrew from Kentucky and McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they went into winter camp.
During these next two and a half years, Bruce and Richard Finch and the rest of the men of the 86th served in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. During this time, Bruce and Richard were witness to and participants in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averasboro, North Carolina and Bentonville, North Carolina to name a few and marched with Sherman to the Sea.
About the time that the opening movements of what would become known as the "Atlanta Campaign" began, Private Richard G. Finch is known to have been sent to the hospital. On Sunday, May 1, 1864, James L. Burkhalter, Captain of Co. F, wrote the following is his diary. "Active preparations are under way today for the impending campaign. All surplus baggage is going to the rear for storage in Chattanooga and everybody is busy and anxiously waiting for the order to move forward. Though the weather has been poor all day, the men are nearly all out of their quarters and tramping about through the drizzling rain and mud.
Sick in hospital
had to send Richard Finch to the hospital at Chattanooga. He is sick with an intermittent fever."
It is not known how long Richard G. Finch remained in the hospital or how many of the engagements that he missed in 1864, but, it appears that at some point he rejoined his brother, Bruce, and his old Co. F, as he is known to have been with his unit during the "Carolina Campaign" in the spring of 1865, so he probably participated in the "March to the Sea."
During the last battles of the war, Private Richard G. Finch may have been slightly wounded or injured in some way. He also may have just been sick. Whatever, the case, after the war came to an end, Bruce and the other surviving members of the 86th Illinois & McCook's Brigade, marched on to Washington City (now D.C.) at this time. However, Private Richard G. Gardner is known to have been left behind in an Goldsboro, North Carolina area hospital, either sick, wounded or injured at this time. He never rejoined his old Co. F and he would not see his brother, Bruce, again until the both returned to Central Illinois. Private Richard G. Finch remained in the hospital in the Goldsboro area and was mustered out of the service on April 8, 1865 and most likely sent home.
At some point in late March, April or early May of 1865, the healthy members of McCook's Brigade marched on to Washington. There they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue on the 2nd day of the Grand Review. They were mustered out of the service on June 6, 1865 in Washington and were soon on a train bound for Chicago. There they received their final pay and discharge and by the end of June, the surviving members of Co F were back home with their families in Knox County and Bruce and Richard saw each other for the first time in several months.
It is recorded that Richard Finch was married to Ann Gummell on September 8, 1865 in Knox County, Illinois. Angeline "Ann" (Gummell) Finch was born c. 1845 in New Jersey.
Eight children are believed to have been born to Richard and Angeline "Ann" (Gummell) Finch including;
1. William Hamilton Finch, born ___________ __, 1866 in Illinois.
2. Medena Thelma Finch, born ___________ __, 1867 in Iowa.
3. John Finch, born 1871/72 in Iowa.
4. Richard Finch, born 1875/76 in Iowa,
5. Jordon Finch, born 1877/78 in Kansas. Jordon is found in the 1880 and 1895 census records with the family in Kansas.
6. Volney J. Finch, born ____________ __, 1879 in Kansas. Volney is found in the 1880 and 1895 census records with the family in Kansas.
7. Arden Finch, born c. 1880 in Kansas. Arden is found with the family in the 1895 census record with the family. Arden was married to Agnes ________ c. 1905/06. At least two sons were born to them;
A. Milton Theodore Finch, born February 18, 1907 in Kansas. Milton died on December 30, 1985 and his mortal remains were laid in the Smith Prairie Cemetery in Elmore County, Idaho. See his Find A Grave Memorial #76296048.
B. Arden Finch, born ___________ __, 1908 in Idaho.
8. Lurilla M. Finch, born ____________ __, 1883 in Kansas. Lurilla is found in the 1895 census record with the family in Kansas. Lurilla was married to Ferdinand Dohm, who was born in Germany c. 1868. Ferdinand and Lurilla had one daughter before Lurilla died from
complications of childbirth in 1904;
A. Inez Lucile Dohn, born c. 1904 in Nebraska.
At the time of the 1870 census, Richard and his family are found residing next door to his brother, Bruce, in Jackson Township, Wayne County, Iowa;
83 Richard Finch 29 Farmer Ind
Angeline Finch 25 Keeping House NJ
Hamilton Finch 4 IL
Medina Finch 2 IA
84 Bruce Finch 25 Farmer Ind
Jenetta Finch 21 Keeping House Ind
Leroy Finch 2 IA
Ivey E. Finch 6/12 Feb 1870 IA
Sometime after 1876, Richard G. Finch moved his family still further west to Kansas. At the time of the 1880 census, Richard and his family are found in Saline Township, Ellis County, Kansas;
Dick Finch 39 Farmer Ind
Angeline Finch 34 Keeping House NJ
Hamilton Finch 13 At home IL
Madina Finch 12 At school Iowa
John Finch 8 At school Iowa
Richard Finch 4 Iowa
Jordon Finch 2 Kan
Volma Finch 10/12 Kansas
At the time of the 1895 Kansas State census, the Finch family, mispelled Funch, is found in Saline Township of Ellis County, Kansas;
R. G. Funch 54 Ind
Angeline Funch 49 Jew Jersey
Richard Funch 20 Iowa
Jordon Funch 18 Kan
Volney Funch 16 Kan
Arden Funch 15 Kan
L. Funch 13 Kan
Richard G. Finch is known to have resided at Turkville, Kansas until about 1899 and then was believed by the surviving members of the 86th to reside in Codell, Kansas for some time after that.
At the time of the 1910 census, Richard and his family are found in Smiths Prairie, Elmore County Idaho;
Richard FincH HEAD 69 Ind OH OH Farmer
Angelina Finch Wife 65 NJ NJ NJ
Ferdinand Dohm Son-in-law 42 Germany Ger Ger Farm Laborer
Inez Lucile Dohm Grand Dau. 6 Nebraska Ger Kan
Arden Finch HEAD 4 29 KS IND NJ
Agnes Finch Wife 4 2 2 22 KS
Milton Finch Son 3 KS
Arden Finch Son 1 2/12 Kan
The PLAINVILLE TIMES newspaper, of Plainville, Kansas published the following in it's May 16, 1918 edition;
"Richard Finch, formerly a prominent farmer at Turkville vicinity and later a resident of Plainville, died May 5th in California. He was eighty years or so of age."
by Baxter B. Fite III
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