(NOTE: John Debord probably never sat for a portrait prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. During the 10 months the 86th was garrisoned in and around Nashville in 1862/63, most of the men and boys of the 86th took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to their loved ones back home. These pictures came in two forms. There were paper pictures, which were called CDV's and then their were tintypes. If a CDV was made, which was the most common, many copies were usually purchased, not only to send home to their loved ones, but also to swap among their messmates and tentmates.
John then survived the war and just lived into the 1880's. During the years after the war, John almost certainly sat for a portrait or two. If he had one made, I would love to see a copy of John's CDV be added to his Find A Grave Memorial for the benefit of all with an interest in seeing this veteran this veteran of the Civil War and for the Princeville Historical Association. In the mean time, I would be thrilled to see some pictures of him as an older man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private JOHN W. DEBORD, Co. K, 86th Illinois
John W. Debord was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1819/21) at __________, Kentucky. In the 1880 census, John's parents were said to have been born in North Carolina. John is believed to have been the youngest son of George Washington Debord, who was born in 1773 in Surry County, North Carolina. If he is, then John would have had an older brother, William Debord, who was born c. 1800/1802, who had two sons named Nelson and Jefferson Debord. John, Nelson and Jefferson would serve together in Co. K of the 86th Illinois, an uncle serving with two nephews.
John Debord was married 1st to Lucinda Ashurst before 1847, probably in Kentucky. Lucinda was born in Pulaski County, Kentucky about 1820, the daughter of Henry Clay Ashurst and Elizabeth (Richardson) Ashurst. At least four children were born to John and Lucinda. They are;
1. William Perry Debord, born c. 1847 in Kentucky; William is known to have married in the 1870's, to have lived in Nodaway County, Missouri and to have had at least one daughter, Minnie P. Debord, who was born c. 1877 in Missouri.
At the time of the 1900 census, William Perry Debord is believed to be the William R. Debord we find in Odell Township Danville town, Harper County, Kansas. William and his wife, who is not found here, have been married c. 24 years;
William R Debord Head M Jan 1847 53 Kentucky
Frank C Debord Son M Sep 1879 21 Missouri
Lula C Debord Daughter F Jul 1888 12 Kansas
Allie W Rogers Servant F 46 Kentucky
(Note: In 1910, Lula Debord is found single and living alone in Garland, Park County, Wyoming. She is listed as 21 and born in Kansas, while her father and mother are listed as having been born in Kentucky and Missouri, respectively. Nothing is known about her after this.
In 1930, Frank C. Debord and his wife are found in Silver Creek, Harper County, Kansas;
Frank C Debord Head M 50 Missouri
Addie L Debord Wife F 50 Illinois
Frank C. Debord died on ____________ __, 1939 and his mortal remains were laid in the Freeport Cemetery in Freeport, Harper County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 24963801)
At the time of the 1910 census, William is found widowed and is one of many boarding with the Corbin family in Freeport, Harper County, Kansas;
George W Corbin Head M 56 Missouri
Sarah H Corbin Wife F 47 Iowa
Sylvia M Corbin Daughter F 27 Nebraska
Edna Corbin Daughter F 13 Missouri
Robert Corbin Son M 10 Missouri
Ira L Corbin Son M 26 Nebraska
Anna V Corbin Wife F 25 Missouri
Faye M Corbin Daughter F 2 Kansas
William P Debord Boarder M 63 Kentucky
William P. DeBord died on ___________ __, 1923 and his mortal remains were laid in the Singer Cemetery in Bluff City, Harper County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 59335419.
2. Robert A. Debord, born c. 1848/49, almost certainly in Pulaski County, Kentucky. Robert is found with the family age 1, at the time of the 1850 census of Pulaski County, Kentucky. He is also found with the family in the 1860 and 1870 census of Peoria County, Illinois, however, he is listed in those census records as having been born in Illinois and not in 1848/49, but is listed as only being 4 in 1870 and only 16 in 1870, making his year of birth occurring betweem 1853 and 1856. Robert can not be located after the 1870 census.
3. Francis Marion Debord, born September __ 1851/52/54 in Peoria County, Illinois. Francis is listed with the family in 1860 in Peoria County as Frances W. Debord, age 8, and then as Francis M. Debord, age 18 in the 1870 census of Peoria County. Francis is very likely the Francis M. De Bord found in the 1880 census living in Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona. He is working as a Clerk in a Store and is single. His parents are both listed as having been born in Kentucky;
Francis M De Bord Self M 27 Illinois
W F Holden Other M 22 California
It appears that in the 1880's or 1890's that Francis moved back east to Missouri, where most of the Debords are found. He was married to Mary W. __________ c. 1892/93. Francis and his family are found in Precinct 11 Kansas City Ward 9, Jackson County, Missouri at the time of the 1900 census;
Francis W De Bord Head M Sep 1854 46 Illinois
Mary W De Bord Wife F 28 Ohio
Elizabeth De Bord Daughter F 6 Missouri
Francis Marion DeBord died on December 5, 1901 and his mortal remains were laid in the Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 95939578.
At the time of the 1910 census, Mary, listed as Widowed, and her daughter, Elizabeth, are found in Kansas Ward 10, Jackson County, Missouri;
Mary Debord Head F 37 Ohio
Elizabeth L Debord Daughter F 16 Missouri
In the late 1910's or very early 1920's, Elizabeth L. Debord was married to Joseph J. Lawson. At the time of the 1930 census, Mary, still listed as widowed, is found living with her daugher, Elizabeth, and her family in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri;
Joseph Lawson Head M 38 Kansas
Elizabeth Lawson Wife F 36 Missouri
Robert Lawson Son M 8 Missouri
Mary Debord Mother-in-law F 55 Tennessee
At the time of the 1940 census, Mary, still listed as widowed, is found residing with her daughter, Elizabeth L. (Debord) Lawson, and her family in what is called Ward 6, Kansas City, Kaw Township, Jackson County, Missouri;
Joseph J Lawson Head M 48 Kansas
Elizabeth D Lawson Wife F 46 Missouri
Robert Debord Lawson Son M 18 Missouri
Mary Debord Mother-in-law F 65 Ohio
Mary W. (__________) Debord died on December __, 1950 and her mortal remains were also laid in the Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 128632953.
4. (Son) ____________ Debord, born in the early 1850's; died Sept. 26, 1857; the stone appears to read 5?ys, 8ms, 13ds which would make his date of birth January 13, 1852; buried in the Princeville Township Cemetery
In the early 1840's, some members of the Debord family began a migration Pulaski County, Kentucky to Peoria County, where they settled on farms in Princeville and Akron Townships.
In the 1850 census of Peoria County these are the families as they are found;
1671 Deboard Ruben R. 32 M Farmer 300 Ky
1671 Deboard Julia A. 23 F Ohio
1671 Deboard Wm. 6 M Ill
1671 Deboard Charles 3 M Ill
1671 Deboard Henry 6/12 M Ill
1689 Deboard James 33 M Farmer 500 Ky
1689 Deboard Catharine27 F Georgia
1689 Deboard Nancy J. 9 F Ky
1689 Deboard Barbary 7 F Ill
1689 Deboard George 5 M Ill
1689 Deboard Wm. 3 M Ill
1689 Deboard Sarah E.3/12 F Ill
1689 Burgess Nancy 49 F Georgia
1689 Burgess Nancy A. 16 F Ky
However John Debord and his family are still found in Pulaski county, Kentucky at the time of the 1850 census;
John Debord M 30 Kentucky
Lucinda Debord F 20 Kentucky
William P Debord M 3 Kentucky
Robert A Debord M 1 Kentucky
In the early 1850's, John and Lucinda followed the other Debords to Illinois with their son, William Perry Debord. Two more sons are believed to have been born there in Illinois to John and Lucinda, who is believed to have died before 1860. Her mortal remains were almost certainly laid in the Princeville Township Cemetery near or next to her now unidentified son, who is buried buried there.
John Debord is found residing in Princeville Township at the time of the 1860 census. He lives next to his cousin, Henry Debord, the son of William Debord, brother of George Washington Debord. John is widowed at this time, is employed as a Teamster and all three children listed above are residing with him.
182 Debords Henry 35 450 KY
182 Debords Mary A. 26 KY
182 Debords Allen L. 2 IL
182 Debords John W. 38 teamster 250 KY
182 Debord Perry 13 KY
182 Debord Francis W. 8 IL
182 Debord Robert 4 IL
183 Deboard James 43 farmer KY
183 Deboard Nancy J. 18 IL
183 Deboard George 13 IL
183 Deboard William F.12 IL
183 Deboard Sarah E. 10 IL
183 Deboard Evermout F.2 IL
183 Burgess Nancy 59 GA
183 Deboard Stephen - KY farmhand
John was married 2nd to Elizabeth Jane Brown. John returned to Kentucky to marry her, possibly shortly before the war, about 1861 or early 1862. John is listed as being married at the time he entered the service in 1862. However, it is stated in her obituary that they were not married until 1867. This may very well be an error, as again he is listed as being married at the time he entered the service. However, their first child was not born until well after he had returned from the service in May of 1869. In either case, they returned to Illinois shortly afterward they were married.
Elizabeth Jane (Brown) Debord was born on December 13, 1833 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. It may have been there that they were also married. At least four children were born to them. They are;
5. Delilah J. "Allie" Debord, born on May 17, 1869 in Peoria County, Illinois. About 1898, at the age of 29, Allie was married to Dr. Francis Alexander "Frank" Lee. No children are believed to have been born to them. At the time of the 1910 census, Allie and Frank are found residing in Ward 1 of the city of Skidmore, Nodaway County, Missouri;
Frank A. Lee 48 Iowa KY NJ
Allie J. Lee 40 ILL KY KY
Elizabeth J. Debord 76 KY KY KY
By 1930, Frank and Allie are found residing at what is then identified as 3157 Ivy Street in San Diego, San Diego County, California;
Frank A. Lee 67 Medical Doctor Iowa
Allie J Lee 60 ILL
Frank A. Lee died on ___________ __, 1938 and his mortal remains were laid in the Greenfield Cemetery in Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa.
Allie J. (Debord) Lee died on April 21, 1962 in San Diego, California. Her mortal remains were returned to Iowa, where they were also laid to rest in the Greenfield Cemetery in Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial #68983658.
6. Nellie A. Debord, born on or about December 30, 1875 in Nodaway County, Missouri; died Oct. 7, 1894 Nodaway County at the age of 18y, 9m, 7d.
7. George Debord, born c. 1878; died Feb. 22, 1879 in Nodaway County, Missouri
8. Lilly May Debord, born July 22, 1878 in or near Skidmore in Nodaway County, Missouri. Lillie May DeBord was married to William Logan Jones (1875 - 1962) in 18__. At least two children were born to Lilly and William;
A. Lawrence Debord Jones (1900 Missouri - 1953)
B. Helen Jones, born c. 1909/10 in Missouri.
At the time of the 1920 census, Lillie and her family are found residing at what is then identified as 708 Liberty Street in Ward 1 of the city of Independence, Jackson County, Missouri;
Logan Jones 44 Iowa Shoe Merchant
Lillie Jones 41 Missouri
Lawrence Jones 19 Missouri
Helen Jones 10 Missouri
Lilly died on 4 Jun 1953 in Raytown, Jackson County, Missouri and her mortal remains were laid in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. See here Find A Grave Memorial #78878848.
In August of 1862, four members of the family would enlist in what was to become Co. K of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. On August 7, 1862, John F. French, a Princeville area school teacher, began recruiting a company of men from the Princeville area for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. On August 7, 1862, Nelson Debord, a son of William Debord and Emily (Darnell) Debord, was one of John F. French's first volunteers. Two days later on August 9, 1862, Jefferson Debord, believed to be Nelson's brother, volunteered for service in the Princeville company. On August 13, 1862, uncle John Debord volunteered for service in John F. French's company.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name DEBORD, JOHN Rank PVT
Company K Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence PRINCEVILLE, PEORIA CO, IL
Age 41 Height 5' 5
Hair BLACK Eyes BLUE
Complexion FAIR
Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER
Nativity SOMERSET, PULASKI CO, KY
Service Record
Joined When AUG 13, 1862
Joined Where PRINCEVILLE, IL
Joined By Whom CPT FRENCH
Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom
Muster Out
Muster Out Where
Muster Out By Whom
Remarks TRANS TO INVALID CORPS APR 20, 1864
By the afternoon of August 13, 1862, John F. French had about 101 volunteers, including himself. That afternoon, John F. French led the Princeville company on a 20 mile march into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, located near present day Glen Oak Park, where they waited to be mustered into service. On August 19, 1862, Henry Debord, another son of George Washington Debord and brother of John Debord, came into Peoria, where he volunteered for service in the Princeville company. On August 27, 1862, John F. French and 95 of his volunteers were mustered into service as Co. K of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. All four of the Debords were among those accepted and mustered into the service. They were 29 year old Jefferson Debord, 30 year old Nelson Debord and their uncles, 38 year old Henry Debord and 41 year old John Debord. John Debord was the 3rd oldest in Co. K. Only Wagoner John Dukes, age 43, and Private Peter Dinsmore, age 42, were older.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Undoubtedly scattered among the crowds were a number of members of the Debord family, there to see their four father, brothers, uncles off for war, not knowing whether they would ever see them again. Three weeks later, the men of the 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops in Kentucky. The Debord family members, at least temporarily, found themselves back in the State of their birth, Kentucky. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, no more than 40 miles from the Debord Kentucky homesteads. There at Perryville, the 86th Illinois suffered their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years.
After the Battle of Perryville, a Union victory, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on the Nashville, Tennessee, where they would go into winter camp. The winter of 1862/63 was hard on the men of both armies as the living conditions and quality of food took its toll. Disease, in the Union armies in the north, took a great toll duiring that first winter in the service. Nine members of Co. K died and 12 others were discharged from the service because of illness. Nelson Debord, was one of those who became quite ill during that first winter. In fact, he was almost certainly severely sick in the hospital with Pneumonia on his 31st birthday on February 20, 1832. His condition continued to deteriorate and on March 4, 1863, Private Nelson Debord, the first member of the Debord family to volunteer, succumbed to Pneumonia. His body was sent home back to Princeville by three grieving family members, one of the few to be sent home during the war. Nelson's body was laid to rest in the Princeville Township Cemetery, the second Co. K member to be laid to rest there. Private Hezekiah Foley had been discharged because of illness back in January and he died in Princeville in February.
The three remaining Debords served on with Co. K, seeing action at the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia in September of 1863. The winter of 1863/64 was spent in part near the Lee & Gordon Mill, on the south edge of the Chickamauga, Georgia battlefield. Time and the elements began to take their toll on John Debord, who was now at least 42 years of age. By April of 1864, The army deemed him unfit for duty in a front line unit and on April 20, 1864, John was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps where he could continue to serve a useful but physically less demanding role in the service. John is believed to have served out the remainder of the war in the 12th Regiment of Veteran Reserve Corps. He continued to have health related issues and was finally discharged from the Veteran Reserve Corps on February 28, 1865 and he returned to his home and family in Princeville.
In May of 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman's Army, of which McCook's Brigade was a part, began what was to become known as the Atlanta Campaign. During the next year, Henry and Jefferson Debord would serve faithfully in Co. K and be witness to and participate in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averysboro, North Carolina; and Bentonville, North Carolina, to name a few and March with Sherman to the Sea. On June 6, 1865, Henry and Jefferson were still found among the surviving members of the 86th Illinois when they were mustered out of service at Washington, D.C. They then, with the surviving members of Co. K, returned to his homes in Princeville Township.
re mustered into service on August 27, 1862 at Camp Lyon, Peoria, Illinois.
John and Elizabeth remained in Princeville for some time after he returned from the service. They are found in Princeville Township at the time of the 1870 census.
62 DeBord John 51 M Farmer 800 Kentucky
62 DeBord Elizabeth 34 F Kentucky
62 DeBord Wm. P. 23 M Kentucky
62 DeBord Frances M. 18 M Illinois
62 DeBord Robert 16 M Illinois
62 DeBord Delilah 1 F Illinois
62 Wiggins Clarence 27 M Farm Laborer Illinois
However, shortly after this census was taken, probably in late 1870, John and Elizabeth moved the family to Missouri, where they settled in Green Township in Nodaway County west of Skidmore, Missouri. They are found there in Greene Township, Nodaway County, Missouri at the time of the 1880 census;
John Debord, born c. 1816 in Kentucky; spouse: Elizabeth Debord; spouse's birthplace: Kentucky; father's birthplace: North Carolina; mother's birthplace: North Carolina; Marital status: Married; age: 64 years; occupation: Farmer
Elizabeth Debord, born c. 1836 in Kentucky; spouse
Allie I. Debord, born c. 1868 in Illinois, daughter
Nellie A. Debord, born c. 1875 in Missouri, daughter
Lilly M. Debord, born c. 1878 in Missouri, daughter
William Debord, born c. 1850 in Kentucky, son, father's name: John Debord; father's birthplace: Kentucky; mother's name: Elizabeth Debord; mother's birthplace: Kentucky; martial status: Married; age: 30 years; occupation: Farmer
Minnie P. Debord, born c. 1877 in Missouri; age: 3; grandaughter
Charles F. Debord, born c. 1871 in Missouri; age: 9; grandson
Arry Weatheford, born c. 1867 in Missouri; age: 13; laborer
John and Elizabeth remained there the rest of their lives. Private John Debord died on March 3, 1882 and his earthly remains were laid to rest in the Burr Oak Cemetery located about four miles west of Skidmore, Missouri.
Elizabeth remained in the Skidmore, Missouri until her death on August 19, 1913. For the last five years of her life she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. F. A. Lee. Elizabeth was an invalid for several years and apparently suffered a stroke and for the last two and one half years was entirely paralyzed on one side. Her obituary stated, "She was a kind and devoted wife and mother and won the esteem and admiration of all who knew her. In her death her children have lost a dear companion and her friends a loving sympathetic neighbor." Her earthly remains were laid in the Burr Oak Cemetery beside those of her husband of about 30 years.
by Baxter B. Fite III and Robin Riat, [email protected], of Nodaway County, Missouri.
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants, who might be able to add to the biography of Private John Debord. Baxter would also love to get a copy of a photograph of John Debord, especially from his days in Co. K, for his Find A Grave site and for the Princeville Historical Society.)
John then survived the war and just lived into the 1880's. During the years after the war, John almost certainly sat for a portrait or two. If he had one made, I would love to see a copy of John's CDV be added to his Find A Grave Memorial for the benefit of all with an interest in seeing this veteran this veteran of the Civil War and for the Princeville Historical Association. In the mean time, I would be thrilled to see some pictures of him as an older man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private JOHN W. DEBORD, Co. K, 86th Illinois
John W. Debord was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1819/21) at __________, Kentucky. In the 1880 census, John's parents were said to have been born in North Carolina. John is believed to have been the youngest son of George Washington Debord, who was born in 1773 in Surry County, North Carolina. If he is, then John would have had an older brother, William Debord, who was born c. 1800/1802, who had two sons named Nelson and Jefferson Debord. John, Nelson and Jefferson would serve together in Co. K of the 86th Illinois, an uncle serving with two nephews.
John Debord was married 1st to Lucinda Ashurst before 1847, probably in Kentucky. Lucinda was born in Pulaski County, Kentucky about 1820, the daughter of Henry Clay Ashurst and Elizabeth (Richardson) Ashurst. At least four children were born to John and Lucinda. They are;
1. William Perry Debord, born c. 1847 in Kentucky; William is known to have married in the 1870's, to have lived in Nodaway County, Missouri and to have had at least one daughter, Minnie P. Debord, who was born c. 1877 in Missouri.
At the time of the 1900 census, William Perry Debord is believed to be the William R. Debord we find in Odell Township Danville town, Harper County, Kansas. William and his wife, who is not found here, have been married c. 24 years;
William R Debord Head M Jan 1847 53 Kentucky
Frank C Debord Son M Sep 1879 21 Missouri
Lula C Debord Daughter F Jul 1888 12 Kansas
Allie W Rogers Servant F 46 Kentucky
(Note: In 1910, Lula Debord is found single and living alone in Garland, Park County, Wyoming. She is listed as 21 and born in Kansas, while her father and mother are listed as having been born in Kentucky and Missouri, respectively. Nothing is known about her after this.
In 1930, Frank C. Debord and his wife are found in Silver Creek, Harper County, Kansas;
Frank C Debord Head M 50 Missouri
Addie L Debord Wife F 50 Illinois
Frank C. Debord died on ____________ __, 1939 and his mortal remains were laid in the Freeport Cemetery in Freeport, Harper County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 24963801)
At the time of the 1910 census, William is found widowed and is one of many boarding with the Corbin family in Freeport, Harper County, Kansas;
George W Corbin Head M 56 Missouri
Sarah H Corbin Wife F 47 Iowa
Sylvia M Corbin Daughter F 27 Nebraska
Edna Corbin Daughter F 13 Missouri
Robert Corbin Son M 10 Missouri
Ira L Corbin Son M 26 Nebraska
Anna V Corbin Wife F 25 Missouri
Faye M Corbin Daughter F 2 Kansas
William P Debord Boarder M 63 Kentucky
William P. DeBord died on ___________ __, 1923 and his mortal remains were laid in the Singer Cemetery in Bluff City, Harper County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 59335419.
2. Robert A. Debord, born c. 1848/49, almost certainly in Pulaski County, Kentucky. Robert is found with the family age 1, at the time of the 1850 census of Pulaski County, Kentucky. He is also found with the family in the 1860 and 1870 census of Peoria County, Illinois, however, he is listed in those census records as having been born in Illinois and not in 1848/49, but is listed as only being 4 in 1870 and only 16 in 1870, making his year of birth occurring betweem 1853 and 1856. Robert can not be located after the 1870 census.
3. Francis Marion Debord, born September __ 1851/52/54 in Peoria County, Illinois. Francis is listed with the family in 1860 in Peoria County as Frances W. Debord, age 8, and then as Francis M. Debord, age 18 in the 1870 census of Peoria County. Francis is very likely the Francis M. De Bord found in the 1880 census living in Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona. He is working as a Clerk in a Store and is single. His parents are both listed as having been born in Kentucky;
Francis M De Bord Self M 27 Illinois
W F Holden Other M 22 California
It appears that in the 1880's or 1890's that Francis moved back east to Missouri, where most of the Debords are found. He was married to Mary W. __________ c. 1892/93. Francis and his family are found in Precinct 11 Kansas City Ward 9, Jackson County, Missouri at the time of the 1900 census;
Francis W De Bord Head M Sep 1854 46 Illinois
Mary W De Bord Wife F 28 Ohio
Elizabeth De Bord Daughter F 6 Missouri
Francis Marion DeBord died on December 5, 1901 and his mortal remains were laid in the Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 95939578.
At the time of the 1910 census, Mary, listed as Widowed, and her daughter, Elizabeth, are found in Kansas Ward 10, Jackson County, Missouri;
Mary Debord Head F 37 Ohio
Elizabeth L Debord Daughter F 16 Missouri
In the late 1910's or very early 1920's, Elizabeth L. Debord was married to Joseph J. Lawson. At the time of the 1930 census, Mary, still listed as widowed, is found living with her daugher, Elizabeth, and her family in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri;
Joseph Lawson Head M 38 Kansas
Elizabeth Lawson Wife F 36 Missouri
Robert Lawson Son M 8 Missouri
Mary Debord Mother-in-law F 55 Tennessee
At the time of the 1940 census, Mary, still listed as widowed, is found residing with her daughter, Elizabeth L. (Debord) Lawson, and her family in what is called Ward 6, Kansas City, Kaw Township, Jackson County, Missouri;
Joseph J Lawson Head M 48 Kansas
Elizabeth D Lawson Wife F 46 Missouri
Robert Debord Lawson Son M 18 Missouri
Mary Debord Mother-in-law F 65 Ohio
Mary W. (__________) Debord died on December __, 1950 and her mortal remains were also laid in the Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 128632953.
4. (Son) ____________ Debord, born in the early 1850's; died Sept. 26, 1857; the stone appears to read 5?ys, 8ms, 13ds which would make his date of birth January 13, 1852; buried in the Princeville Township Cemetery
In the early 1840's, some members of the Debord family began a migration Pulaski County, Kentucky to Peoria County, where they settled on farms in Princeville and Akron Townships.
In the 1850 census of Peoria County these are the families as they are found;
1671 Deboard Ruben R. 32 M Farmer 300 Ky
1671 Deboard Julia A. 23 F Ohio
1671 Deboard Wm. 6 M Ill
1671 Deboard Charles 3 M Ill
1671 Deboard Henry 6/12 M Ill
1689 Deboard James 33 M Farmer 500 Ky
1689 Deboard Catharine27 F Georgia
1689 Deboard Nancy J. 9 F Ky
1689 Deboard Barbary 7 F Ill
1689 Deboard George 5 M Ill
1689 Deboard Wm. 3 M Ill
1689 Deboard Sarah E.3/12 F Ill
1689 Burgess Nancy 49 F Georgia
1689 Burgess Nancy A. 16 F Ky
However John Debord and his family are still found in Pulaski county, Kentucky at the time of the 1850 census;
John Debord M 30 Kentucky
Lucinda Debord F 20 Kentucky
William P Debord M 3 Kentucky
Robert A Debord M 1 Kentucky
In the early 1850's, John and Lucinda followed the other Debords to Illinois with their son, William Perry Debord. Two more sons are believed to have been born there in Illinois to John and Lucinda, who is believed to have died before 1860. Her mortal remains were almost certainly laid in the Princeville Township Cemetery near or next to her now unidentified son, who is buried buried there.
John Debord is found residing in Princeville Township at the time of the 1860 census. He lives next to his cousin, Henry Debord, the son of William Debord, brother of George Washington Debord. John is widowed at this time, is employed as a Teamster and all three children listed above are residing with him.
182 Debords Henry 35 450 KY
182 Debords Mary A. 26 KY
182 Debords Allen L. 2 IL
182 Debords John W. 38 teamster 250 KY
182 Debord Perry 13 KY
182 Debord Francis W. 8 IL
182 Debord Robert 4 IL
183 Deboard James 43 farmer KY
183 Deboard Nancy J. 18 IL
183 Deboard George 13 IL
183 Deboard William F.12 IL
183 Deboard Sarah E. 10 IL
183 Deboard Evermout F.2 IL
183 Burgess Nancy 59 GA
183 Deboard Stephen - KY farmhand
John was married 2nd to Elizabeth Jane Brown. John returned to Kentucky to marry her, possibly shortly before the war, about 1861 or early 1862. John is listed as being married at the time he entered the service in 1862. However, it is stated in her obituary that they were not married until 1867. This may very well be an error, as again he is listed as being married at the time he entered the service. However, their first child was not born until well after he had returned from the service in May of 1869. In either case, they returned to Illinois shortly afterward they were married.
Elizabeth Jane (Brown) Debord was born on December 13, 1833 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. It may have been there that they were also married. At least four children were born to them. They are;
5. Delilah J. "Allie" Debord, born on May 17, 1869 in Peoria County, Illinois. About 1898, at the age of 29, Allie was married to Dr. Francis Alexander "Frank" Lee. No children are believed to have been born to them. At the time of the 1910 census, Allie and Frank are found residing in Ward 1 of the city of Skidmore, Nodaway County, Missouri;
Frank A. Lee 48 Iowa KY NJ
Allie J. Lee 40 ILL KY KY
Elizabeth J. Debord 76 KY KY KY
By 1930, Frank and Allie are found residing at what is then identified as 3157 Ivy Street in San Diego, San Diego County, California;
Frank A. Lee 67 Medical Doctor Iowa
Allie J Lee 60 ILL
Frank A. Lee died on ___________ __, 1938 and his mortal remains were laid in the Greenfield Cemetery in Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa.
Allie J. (Debord) Lee died on April 21, 1962 in San Diego, California. Her mortal remains were returned to Iowa, where they were also laid to rest in the Greenfield Cemetery in Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial #68983658.
6. Nellie A. Debord, born on or about December 30, 1875 in Nodaway County, Missouri; died Oct. 7, 1894 Nodaway County at the age of 18y, 9m, 7d.
7. George Debord, born c. 1878; died Feb. 22, 1879 in Nodaway County, Missouri
8. Lilly May Debord, born July 22, 1878 in or near Skidmore in Nodaway County, Missouri. Lillie May DeBord was married to William Logan Jones (1875 - 1962) in 18__. At least two children were born to Lilly and William;
A. Lawrence Debord Jones (1900 Missouri - 1953)
B. Helen Jones, born c. 1909/10 in Missouri.
At the time of the 1920 census, Lillie and her family are found residing at what is then identified as 708 Liberty Street in Ward 1 of the city of Independence, Jackson County, Missouri;
Logan Jones 44 Iowa Shoe Merchant
Lillie Jones 41 Missouri
Lawrence Jones 19 Missouri
Helen Jones 10 Missouri
Lilly died on 4 Jun 1953 in Raytown, Jackson County, Missouri and her mortal remains were laid in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. See here Find A Grave Memorial #78878848.
In August of 1862, four members of the family would enlist in what was to become Co. K of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. On August 7, 1862, John F. French, a Princeville area school teacher, began recruiting a company of men from the Princeville area for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. On August 7, 1862, Nelson Debord, a son of William Debord and Emily (Darnell) Debord, was one of John F. French's first volunteers. Two days later on August 9, 1862, Jefferson Debord, believed to be Nelson's brother, volunteered for service in the Princeville company. On August 13, 1862, uncle John Debord volunteered for service in John F. French's company.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name DEBORD, JOHN Rank PVT
Company K Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence PRINCEVILLE, PEORIA CO, IL
Age 41 Height 5' 5
Hair BLACK Eyes BLUE
Complexion FAIR
Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER
Nativity SOMERSET, PULASKI CO, KY
Service Record
Joined When AUG 13, 1862
Joined Where PRINCEVILLE, IL
Joined By Whom CPT FRENCH
Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom
Muster Out
Muster Out Where
Muster Out By Whom
Remarks TRANS TO INVALID CORPS APR 20, 1864
By the afternoon of August 13, 1862, John F. French had about 101 volunteers, including himself. That afternoon, John F. French led the Princeville company on a 20 mile march into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, located near present day Glen Oak Park, where they waited to be mustered into service. On August 19, 1862, Henry Debord, another son of George Washington Debord and brother of John Debord, came into Peoria, where he volunteered for service in the Princeville company. On August 27, 1862, John F. French and 95 of his volunteers were mustered into service as Co. K of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. All four of the Debords were among those accepted and mustered into the service. They were 29 year old Jefferson Debord, 30 year old Nelson Debord and their uncles, 38 year old Henry Debord and 41 year old John Debord. John Debord was the 3rd oldest in Co. K. Only Wagoner John Dukes, age 43, and Private Peter Dinsmore, age 42, were older.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Undoubtedly scattered among the crowds were a number of members of the Debord family, there to see their four father, brothers, uncles off for war, not knowing whether they would ever see them again. Three weeks later, the men of the 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops in Kentucky. The Debord family members, at least temporarily, found themselves back in the State of their birth, Kentucky. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, no more than 40 miles from the Debord Kentucky homesteads. There at Perryville, the 86th Illinois suffered their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years.
After the Battle of Perryville, a Union victory, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on the Nashville, Tennessee, where they would go into winter camp. The winter of 1862/63 was hard on the men of both armies as the living conditions and quality of food took its toll. Disease, in the Union armies in the north, took a great toll duiring that first winter in the service. Nine members of Co. K died and 12 others were discharged from the service because of illness. Nelson Debord, was one of those who became quite ill during that first winter. In fact, he was almost certainly severely sick in the hospital with Pneumonia on his 31st birthday on February 20, 1832. His condition continued to deteriorate and on March 4, 1863, Private Nelson Debord, the first member of the Debord family to volunteer, succumbed to Pneumonia. His body was sent home back to Princeville by three grieving family members, one of the few to be sent home during the war. Nelson's body was laid to rest in the Princeville Township Cemetery, the second Co. K member to be laid to rest there. Private Hezekiah Foley had been discharged because of illness back in January and he died in Princeville in February.
The three remaining Debords served on with Co. K, seeing action at the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia in September of 1863. The winter of 1863/64 was spent in part near the Lee & Gordon Mill, on the south edge of the Chickamauga, Georgia battlefield. Time and the elements began to take their toll on John Debord, who was now at least 42 years of age. By April of 1864, The army deemed him unfit for duty in a front line unit and on April 20, 1864, John was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps where he could continue to serve a useful but physically less demanding role in the service. John is believed to have served out the remainder of the war in the 12th Regiment of Veteran Reserve Corps. He continued to have health related issues and was finally discharged from the Veteran Reserve Corps on February 28, 1865 and he returned to his home and family in Princeville.
In May of 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman's Army, of which McCook's Brigade was a part, began what was to become known as the Atlanta Campaign. During the next year, Henry and Jefferson Debord would serve faithfully in Co. K and be witness to and participate in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averysboro, North Carolina; and Bentonville, North Carolina, to name a few and March with Sherman to the Sea. On June 6, 1865, Henry and Jefferson were still found among the surviving members of the 86th Illinois when they were mustered out of service at Washington, D.C. They then, with the surviving members of Co. K, returned to his homes in Princeville Township.
re mustered into service on August 27, 1862 at Camp Lyon, Peoria, Illinois.
John and Elizabeth remained in Princeville for some time after he returned from the service. They are found in Princeville Township at the time of the 1870 census.
62 DeBord John 51 M Farmer 800 Kentucky
62 DeBord Elizabeth 34 F Kentucky
62 DeBord Wm. P. 23 M Kentucky
62 DeBord Frances M. 18 M Illinois
62 DeBord Robert 16 M Illinois
62 DeBord Delilah 1 F Illinois
62 Wiggins Clarence 27 M Farm Laborer Illinois
However, shortly after this census was taken, probably in late 1870, John and Elizabeth moved the family to Missouri, where they settled in Green Township in Nodaway County west of Skidmore, Missouri. They are found there in Greene Township, Nodaway County, Missouri at the time of the 1880 census;
John Debord, born c. 1816 in Kentucky; spouse: Elizabeth Debord; spouse's birthplace: Kentucky; father's birthplace: North Carolina; mother's birthplace: North Carolina; Marital status: Married; age: 64 years; occupation: Farmer
Elizabeth Debord, born c. 1836 in Kentucky; spouse
Allie I. Debord, born c. 1868 in Illinois, daughter
Nellie A. Debord, born c. 1875 in Missouri, daughter
Lilly M. Debord, born c. 1878 in Missouri, daughter
William Debord, born c. 1850 in Kentucky, son, father's name: John Debord; father's birthplace: Kentucky; mother's name: Elizabeth Debord; mother's birthplace: Kentucky; martial status: Married; age: 30 years; occupation: Farmer
Minnie P. Debord, born c. 1877 in Missouri; age: 3; grandaughter
Charles F. Debord, born c. 1871 in Missouri; age: 9; grandson
Arry Weatheford, born c. 1867 in Missouri; age: 13; laborer
John and Elizabeth remained there the rest of their lives. Private John Debord died on March 3, 1882 and his earthly remains were laid to rest in the Burr Oak Cemetery located about four miles west of Skidmore, Missouri.
Elizabeth remained in the Skidmore, Missouri until her death on August 19, 1913. For the last five years of her life she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. F. A. Lee. Elizabeth was an invalid for several years and apparently suffered a stroke and for the last two and one half years was entirely paralyzed on one side. Her obituary stated, "She was a kind and devoted wife and mother and won the esteem and admiration of all who knew her. In her death her children have lost a dear companion and her friends a loving sympathetic neighbor." Her earthly remains were laid in the Burr Oak Cemetery beside those of her husband of about 30 years.
by Baxter B. Fite III and Robin Riat, [email protected], of Nodaway County, Missouri.
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants, who might be able to add to the biography of Private John Debord. Baxter would also love to get a copy of a photograph of John Debord, especially from his days in Co. K, for his Find A Grave site and for the Princeville Historical Society.)
(NOTE: John Debord probably never sat for a portrait prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. During the 10 months the 86th was garrisoned in and around Nashville in 1862/63, most of the men and boys of the 86th took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to their loved ones back home. These pictures came in two forms. There were paper pictures, which were called CDV's and then their were tintypes. If a CDV was made, which was the most common, many copies were usually purchased, not only to send home to their loved ones, but also to swap among their messmates and tentmates.
John then survived the war and just lived into the 1880's. During the years after the war, John almost certainly sat for a portrait or two. If he had one made, I would love to see a copy of John's CDV be added to his Find A Grave Memorial for the benefit of all with an interest in seeing this veteran this veteran of the Civil War and for the Princeville Historical Association. In the mean time, I would be thrilled to see some pictures of him as an older man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private JOHN W. DEBORD, Co. K, 86th Illinois
John W. Debord was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1819/21) at __________, Kentucky. In the 1880 census, John's parents were said to have been born in North Carolina. John is believed to have been the youngest son of George Washington Debord, who was born in 1773 in Surry County, North Carolina. If he is, then John would have had an older brother, William Debord, who was born c. 1800/1802, who had two sons named Nelson and Jefferson Debord. John, Nelson and Jefferson would serve together in Co. K of the 86th Illinois, an uncle serving with two nephews.
John Debord was married 1st to Lucinda Ashurst before 1847, probably in Kentucky. Lucinda was born in Pulaski County, Kentucky about 1820, the daughter of Henry Clay Ashurst and Elizabeth (Richardson) Ashurst. At least four children were born to John and Lucinda. They are;
1. William Perry Debord, born c. 1847 in Kentucky; William is known to have married in the 1870's, to have lived in Nodaway County, Missouri and to have had at least one daughter, Minnie P. Debord, who was born c. 1877 in Missouri.
At the time of the 1900 census, William Perry Debord is believed to be the William R. Debord we find in Odell Township Danville town, Harper County, Kansas. William and his wife, who is not found here, have been married c. 24 years;
William R Debord Head M Jan 1847 53 Kentucky
Frank C Debord Son M Sep 1879 21 Missouri
Lula C Debord Daughter F Jul 1888 12 Kansas
Allie W Rogers Servant F 46 Kentucky
(Note: In 1910, Lula Debord is found single and living alone in Garland, Park County, Wyoming. She is listed as 21 and born in Kansas, while her father and mother are listed as having been born in Kentucky and Missouri, respectively. Nothing is known about her after this.
In 1930, Frank C. Debord and his wife are found in Silver Creek, Harper County, Kansas;
Frank C Debord Head M 50 Missouri
Addie L Debord Wife F 50 Illinois
Frank C. Debord died on ____________ __, 1939 and his mortal remains were laid in the Freeport Cemetery in Freeport, Harper County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 24963801)
At the time of the 1910 census, William is found widowed and is one of many boarding with the Corbin family in Freeport, Harper County, Kansas;
George W Corbin Head M 56 Missouri
Sarah H Corbin Wife F 47 Iowa
Sylvia M Corbin Daughter F 27 Nebraska
Edna Corbin Daughter F 13 Missouri
Robert Corbin Son M 10 Missouri
Ira L Corbin Son M 26 Nebraska
Anna V Corbin Wife F 25 Missouri
Faye M Corbin Daughter F 2 Kansas
William P Debord Boarder M 63 Kentucky
William P. DeBord died on ___________ __, 1923 and his mortal remains were laid in the Singer Cemetery in Bluff City, Harper County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 59335419.
2. Robert A. Debord, born c. 1848/49, almost certainly in Pulaski County, Kentucky. Robert is found with the family age 1, at the time of the 1850 census of Pulaski County, Kentucky. He is also found with the family in the 1860 and 1870 census of Peoria County, Illinois, however, he is listed in those census records as having been born in Illinois and not in 1848/49, but is listed as only being 4 in 1870 and only 16 in 1870, making his year of birth occurring betweem 1853 and 1856. Robert can not be located after the 1870 census.
3. Francis Marion Debord, born September __ 1851/52/54 in Peoria County, Illinois. Francis is listed with the family in 1860 in Peoria County as Frances W. Debord, age 8, and then as Francis M. Debord, age 18 in the 1870 census of Peoria County. Francis is very likely the Francis M. De Bord found in the 1880 census living in Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona. He is working as a Clerk in a Store and is single. His parents are both listed as having been born in Kentucky;
Francis M De Bord Self M 27 Illinois
W F Holden Other M 22 California
It appears that in the 1880's or 1890's that Francis moved back east to Missouri, where most of the Debords are found. He was married to Mary W. __________ c. 1892/93. Francis and his family are found in Precinct 11 Kansas City Ward 9, Jackson County, Missouri at the time of the 1900 census;
Francis W De Bord Head M Sep 1854 46 Illinois
Mary W De Bord Wife F 28 Ohio
Elizabeth De Bord Daughter F 6 Missouri
Francis Marion DeBord died on December 5, 1901 and his mortal remains were laid in the Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 95939578.
At the time of the 1910 census, Mary, listed as Widowed, and her daughter, Elizabeth, are found in Kansas Ward 10, Jackson County, Missouri;
Mary Debord Head F 37 Ohio
Elizabeth L Debord Daughter F 16 Missouri
In the late 1910's or very early 1920's, Elizabeth L. Debord was married to Joseph J. Lawson. At the time of the 1930 census, Mary, still listed as widowed, is found living with her daugher, Elizabeth, and her family in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri;
Joseph Lawson Head M 38 Kansas
Elizabeth Lawson Wife F 36 Missouri
Robert Lawson Son M 8 Missouri
Mary Debord Mother-in-law F 55 Tennessee
At the time of the 1940 census, Mary, still listed as widowed, is found residing with her daughter, Elizabeth L. (Debord) Lawson, and her family in what is called Ward 6, Kansas City, Kaw Township, Jackson County, Missouri;
Joseph J Lawson Head M 48 Kansas
Elizabeth D Lawson Wife F 46 Missouri
Robert Debord Lawson Son M 18 Missouri
Mary Debord Mother-in-law F 65 Ohio
Mary W. (__________) Debord died on December __, 1950 and her mortal remains were also laid in the Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 128632953.
4. (Son) ____________ Debord, born in the early 1850's; died Sept. 26, 1857; the stone appears to read 5?ys, 8ms, 13ds which would make his date of birth January 13, 1852; buried in the Princeville Township Cemetery
In the early 1840's, some members of the Debord family began a migration Pulaski County, Kentucky to Peoria County, where they settled on farms in Princeville and Akron Townships.
In the 1850 census of Peoria County these are the families as they are found;
1671 Deboard Ruben R. 32 M Farmer 300 Ky
1671 Deboard Julia A. 23 F Ohio
1671 Deboard Wm. 6 M Ill
1671 Deboard Charles 3 M Ill
1671 Deboard Henry 6/12 M Ill
1689 Deboard James 33 M Farmer 500 Ky
1689 Deboard Catharine27 F Georgia
1689 Deboard Nancy J. 9 F Ky
1689 Deboard Barbary 7 F Ill
1689 Deboard George 5 M Ill
1689 Deboard Wm. 3 M Ill
1689 Deboard Sarah E.3/12 F Ill
1689 Burgess Nancy 49 F Georgia
1689 Burgess Nancy A. 16 F Ky
However John Debord and his family are still found in Pulaski county, Kentucky at the time of the 1850 census;
John Debord M 30 Kentucky
Lucinda Debord F 20 Kentucky
William P Debord M 3 Kentucky
Robert A Debord M 1 Kentucky
In the early 1850's, John and Lucinda followed the other Debords to Illinois with their son, William Perry Debord. Two more sons are believed to have been born there in Illinois to John and Lucinda, who is believed to have died before 1860. Her mortal remains were almost certainly laid in the Princeville Township Cemetery near or next to her now unidentified son, who is buried buried there.
John Debord is found residing in Princeville Township at the time of the 1860 census. He lives next to his cousin, Henry Debord, the son of William Debord, brother of George Washington Debord. John is widowed at this time, is employed as a Teamster and all three children listed above are residing with him.
182 Debords Henry 35 450 KY
182 Debords Mary A. 26 KY
182 Debords Allen L. 2 IL
182 Debords John W. 38 teamster 250 KY
182 Debord Perry 13 KY
182 Debord Francis W. 8 IL
182 Debord Robert 4 IL
183 Deboard James 43 farmer KY
183 Deboard Nancy J. 18 IL
183 Deboard George 13 IL
183 Deboard William F.12 IL
183 Deboard Sarah E. 10 IL
183 Deboard Evermout F.2 IL
183 Burgess Nancy 59 GA
183 Deboard Stephen - KY farmhand
John was married 2nd to Elizabeth Jane Brown. John returned to Kentucky to marry her, possibly shortly before the war, about 1861 or early 1862. John is listed as being married at the time he entered the service in 1862. However, it is stated in her obituary that they were not married until 1867. This may very well be an error, as again he is listed as being married at the time he entered the service. However, their first child was not born until well after he had returned from the service in May of 1869. In either case, they returned to Illinois shortly afterward they were married.
Elizabeth Jane (Brown) Debord was born on December 13, 1833 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. It may have been there that they were also married. At least four children were born to them. They are;
5. Delilah J. "Allie" Debord, born on May 17, 1869 in Peoria County, Illinois. About 1898, at the age of 29, Allie was married to Dr. Francis Alexander "Frank" Lee. No children are believed to have been born to them. At the time of the 1910 census, Allie and Frank are found residing in Ward 1 of the city of Skidmore, Nodaway County, Missouri;
Frank A. Lee 48 Iowa KY NJ
Allie J. Lee 40 ILL KY KY
Elizabeth J. Debord 76 KY KY KY
By 1930, Frank and Allie are found residing at what is then identified as 3157 Ivy Street in San Diego, San Diego County, California;
Frank A. Lee 67 Medical Doctor Iowa
Allie J Lee 60 ILL
Frank A. Lee died on ___________ __, 1938 and his mortal remains were laid in the Greenfield Cemetery in Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa.
Allie J. (Debord) Lee died on April 21, 1962 in San Diego, California. Her mortal remains were returned to Iowa, where they were also laid to rest in the Greenfield Cemetery in Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial #68983658.
6. Nellie A. Debord, born on or about December 30, 1875 in Nodaway County, Missouri; died Oct. 7, 1894 Nodaway County at the age of 18y, 9m, 7d.
7. George Debord, born c. 1878; died Feb. 22, 1879 in Nodaway County, Missouri
8. Lilly May Debord, born July 22, 1878 in or near Skidmore in Nodaway County, Missouri. Lillie May DeBord was married to William Logan Jones (1875 - 1962) in 18__. At least two children were born to Lilly and William;
A. Lawrence Debord Jones (1900 Missouri - 1953)
B. Helen Jones, born c. 1909/10 in Missouri.
At the time of the 1920 census, Lillie and her family are found residing at what is then identified as 708 Liberty Street in Ward 1 of the city of Independence, Jackson County, Missouri;
Logan Jones 44 Iowa Shoe Merchant
Lillie Jones 41 Missouri
Lawrence Jones 19 Missouri
Helen Jones 10 Missouri
Lilly died on 4 Jun 1953 in Raytown, Jackson County, Missouri and her mortal remains were laid in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. See here Find A Grave Memorial #78878848.
In August of 1862, four members of the family would enlist in what was to become Co. K of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. On August 7, 1862, John F. French, a Princeville area school teacher, began recruiting a company of men from the Princeville area for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. On August 7, 1862, Nelson Debord, a son of William Debord and Emily (Darnell) Debord, was one of John F. French's first volunteers. Two days later on August 9, 1862, Jefferson Debord, believed to be Nelson's brother, volunteered for service in the Princeville company. On August 13, 1862, uncle John Debord volunteered for service in John F. French's company.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name DEBORD, JOHN Rank PVT
Company K Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence PRINCEVILLE, PEORIA CO, IL
Age 41 Height 5' 5
Hair BLACK Eyes BLUE
Complexion FAIR
Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER
Nativity SOMERSET, PULASKI CO, KY
Service Record
Joined When AUG 13, 1862
Joined Where PRINCEVILLE, IL
Joined By Whom CPT FRENCH
Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom
Muster Out
Muster Out Where
Muster Out By Whom
Remarks TRANS TO INVALID CORPS APR 20, 1864
By the afternoon of August 13, 1862, John F. French had about 101 volunteers, including himself. That afternoon, John F. French led the Princeville company on a 20 mile march into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, located near present day Glen Oak Park, where they waited to be mustered into service. On August 19, 1862, Henry Debord, another son of George Washington Debord and brother of John Debord, came into Peoria, where he volunteered for service in the Princeville company. On August 27, 1862, John F. French and 95 of his volunteers were mustered into service as Co. K of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. All four of the Debords were among those accepted and mustered into the service. They were 29 year old Jefferson Debord, 30 year old Nelson Debord and their uncles, 38 year old Henry Debord and 41 year old John Debord. John Debord was the 3rd oldest in Co. K. Only Wagoner John Dukes, age 43, and Private Peter Dinsmore, age 42, were older.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Undoubtedly scattered among the crowds were a number of members of the Debord family, there to see their four father, brothers, uncles off for war, not knowing whether they would ever see them again. Three weeks later, the men of the 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops in Kentucky. The Debord family members, at least temporarily, found themselves back in the State of their birth, Kentucky. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, no more than 40 miles from the Debord Kentucky homesteads. There at Perryville, the 86th Illinois suffered their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years.
After the Battle of Perryville, a Union victory, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on the Nashville, Tennessee, where they would go into winter camp. The winter of 1862/63 was hard on the men of both armies as the living conditions and quality of food took its toll. Disease, in the Union armies in the north, took a great toll duiring that first winter in the service. Nine members of Co. K died and 12 others were discharged from the service because of illness. Nelson Debord, was one of those who became quite ill during that first winter. In fact, he was almost certainly severely sick in the hospital with Pneumonia on his 31st birthday on February 20, 1832. His condition continued to deteriorate and on March 4, 1863, Private Nelson Debord, the first member of the Debord family to volunteer, succumbed to Pneumonia. His body was sent home back to Princeville by three grieving family members, one of the few to be sent home during the war. Nelson's body was laid to rest in the Princeville Township Cemetery, the second Co. K member to be laid to rest there. Private Hezekiah Foley had been discharged because of illness back in January and he died in Princeville in February.
The three remaining Debords served on with Co. K, seeing action at the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia in September of 1863. The winter of 1863/64 was spent in part near the Lee & Gordon Mill, on the south edge of the Chickamauga, Georgia battlefield. Time and the elements began to take their toll on John Debord, who was now at least 42 years of age. By April of 1864, The army deemed him unfit for duty in a front line unit and on April 20, 1864, John was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps where he could continue to serve a useful but physically less demanding role in the service. John is believed to have served out the remainder of the war in the 12th Regiment of Veteran Reserve Corps. He continued to have health related issues and was finally discharged from the Veteran Reserve Corps on February 28, 1865 and he returned to his home and family in Princeville.
In May of 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman's Army, of which McCook's Brigade was a part, began what was to become known as the Atlanta Campaign. During the next year, Henry and Jefferson Debord would serve faithfully in Co. K and be witness to and participate in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averysboro, North Carolina; and Bentonville, North Carolina, to name a few and March with Sherman to the Sea. On June 6, 1865, Henry and Jefferson were still found among the surviving members of the 86th Illinois when they were mustered out of service at Washington, D.C. They then, with the surviving members of Co. K, returned to his homes in Princeville Township.
re mustered into service on August 27, 1862 at Camp Lyon, Peoria, Illinois.
John and Elizabeth remained in Princeville for some time after he returned from the service. They are found in Princeville Township at the time of the 1870 census.
62 DeBord John 51 M Farmer 800 Kentucky
62 DeBord Elizabeth 34 F Kentucky
62 DeBord Wm. P. 23 M Kentucky
62 DeBord Frances M. 18 M Illinois
62 DeBord Robert 16 M Illinois
62 DeBord Delilah 1 F Illinois
62 Wiggins Clarence 27 M Farm Laborer Illinois
However, shortly after this census was taken, probably in late 1870, John and Elizabeth moved the family to Missouri, where they settled in Green Township in Nodaway County west of Skidmore, Missouri. They are found there in Greene Township, Nodaway County, Missouri at the time of the 1880 census;
John Debord, born c. 1816 in Kentucky; spouse: Elizabeth Debord; spouse's birthplace: Kentucky; father's birthplace: North Carolina; mother's birthplace: North Carolina; Marital status: Married; age: 64 years; occupation: Farmer
Elizabeth Debord, born c. 1836 in Kentucky; spouse
Allie I. Debord, born c. 1868 in Illinois, daughter
Nellie A. Debord, born c. 1875 in Missouri, daughter
Lilly M. Debord, born c. 1878 in Missouri, daughter
William Debord, born c. 1850 in Kentucky, son, father's name: John Debord; father's birthplace: Kentucky; mother's name: Elizabeth Debord; mother's birthplace: Kentucky; martial status: Married; age: 30 years; occupation: Farmer
Minnie P. Debord, born c. 1877 in Missouri; age: 3; grandaughter
Charles F. Debord, born c. 1871 in Missouri; age: 9; grandson
Arry Weatheford, born c. 1867 in Missouri; age: 13; laborer
John and Elizabeth remained there the rest of their lives. Private John Debord died on March 3, 1882 and his earthly remains were laid to rest in the Burr Oak Cemetery located about four miles west of Skidmore, Missouri.
Elizabeth remained in the Skidmore, Missouri until her death on August 19, 1913. For the last five years of her life she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. F. A. Lee. Elizabeth was an invalid for several years and apparently suffered a stroke and for the last two and one half years was entirely paralyzed on one side. Her obituary stated, "She was a kind and devoted wife and mother and won the esteem and admiration of all who knew her. In her death her children have lost a dear companion and her friends a loving sympathetic neighbor." Her earthly remains were laid in the Burr Oak Cemetery beside those of her husband of about 30 years.
by Baxter B. Fite III and Robin Riat, [email protected], of Nodaway County, Missouri.
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants, who might be able to add to the biography of Private John Debord. Baxter would also love to get a copy of a photograph of John Debord, especially from his days in Co. K, for his Find A Grave site and for the Princeville Historical Society.)
John then survived the war and just lived into the 1880's. During the years after the war, John almost certainly sat for a portrait or two. If he had one made, I would love to see a copy of John's CDV be added to his Find A Grave Memorial for the benefit of all with an interest in seeing this veteran this veteran of the Civil War and for the Princeville Historical Association. In the mean time, I would be thrilled to see some pictures of him as an older man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private JOHN W. DEBORD, Co. K, 86th Illinois
John W. Debord was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1819/21) at __________, Kentucky. In the 1880 census, John's parents were said to have been born in North Carolina. John is believed to have been the youngest son of George Washington Debord, who was born in 1773 in Surry County, North Carolina. If he is, then John would have had an older brother, William Debord, who was born c. 1800/1802, who had two sons named Nelson and Jefferson Debord. John, Nelson and Jefferson would serve together in Co. K of the 86th Illinois, an uncle serving with two nephews.
John Debord was married 1st to Lucinda Ashurst before 1847, probably in Kentucky. Lucinda was born in Pulaski County, Kentucky about 1820, the daughter of Henry Clay Ashurst and Elizabeth (Richardson) Ashurst. At least four children were born to John and Lucinda. They are;
1. William Perry Debord, born c. 1847 in Kentucky; William is known to have married in the 1870's, to have lived in Nodaway County, Missouri and to have had at least one daughter, Minnie P. Debord, who was born c. 1877 in Missouri.
At the time of the 1900 census, William Perry Debord is believed to be the William R. Debord we find in Odell Township Danville town, Harper County, Kansas. William and his wife, who is not found here, have been married c. 24 years;
William R Debord Head M Jan 1847 53 Kentucky
Frank C Debord Son M Sep 1879 21 Missouri
Lula C Debord Daughter F Jul 1888 12 Kansas
Allie W Rogers Servant F 46 Kentucky
(Note: In 1910, Lula Debord is found single and living alone in Garland, Park County, Wyoming. She is listed as 21 and born in Kansas, while her father and mother are listed as having been born in Kentucky and Missouri, respectively. Nothing is known about her after this.
In 1930, Frank C. Debord and his wife are found in Silver Creek, Harper County, Kansas;
Frank C Debord Head M 50 Missouri
Addie L Debord Wife F 50 Illinois
Frank C. Debord died on ____________ __, 1939 and his mortal remains were laid in the Freeport Cemetery in Freeport, Harper County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 24963801)
At the time of the 1910 census, William is found widowed and is one of many boarding with the Corbin family in Freeport, Harper County, Kansas;
George W Corbin Head M 56 Missouri
Sarah H Corbin Wife F 47 Iowa
Sylvia M Corbin Daughter F 27 Nebraska
Edna Corbin Daughter F 13 Missouri
Robert Corbin Son M 10 Missouri
Ira L Corbin Son M 26 Nebraska
Anna V Corbin Wife F 25 Missouri
Faye M Corbin Daughter F 2 Kansas
William P Debord Boarder M 63 Kentucky
William P. DeBord died on ___________ __, 1923 and his mortal remains were laid in the Singer Cemetery in Bluff City, Harper County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 59335419.
2. Robert A. Debord, born c. 1848/49, almost certainly in Pulaski County, Kentucky. Robert is found with the family age 1, at the time of the 1850 census of Pulaski County, Kentucky. He is also found with the family in the 1860 and 1870 census of Peoria County, Illinois, however, he is listed in those census records as having been born in Illinois and not in 1848/49, but is listed as only being 4 in 1870 and only 16 in 1870, making his year of birth occurring betweem 1853 and 1856. Robert can not be located after the 1870 census.
3. Francis Marion Debord, born September __ 1851/52/54 in Peoria County, Illinois. Francis is listed with the family in 1860 in Peoria County as Frances W. Debord, age 8, and then as Francis M. Debord, age 18 in the 1870 census of Peoria County. Francis is very likely the Francis M. De Bord found in the 1880 census living in Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona. He is working as a Clerk in a Store and is single. His parents are both listed as having been born in Kentucky;
Francis M De Bord Self M 27 Illinois
W F Holden Other M 22 California
It appears that in the 1880's or 1890's that Francis moved back east to Missouri, where most of the Debords are found. He was married to Mary W. __________ c. 1892/93. Francis and his family are found in Precinct 11 Kansas City Ward 9, Jackson County, Missouri at the time of the 1900 census;
Francis W De Bord Head M Sep 1854 46 Illinois
Mary W De Bord Wife F 28 Ohio
Elizabeth De Bord Daughter F 6 Missouri
Francis Marion DeBord died on December 5, 1901 and his mortal remains were laid in the Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 95939578.
At the time of the 1910 census, Mary, listed as Widowed, and her daughter, Elizabeth, are found in Kansas Ward 10, Jackson County, Missouri;
Mary Debord Head F 37 Ohio
Elizabeth L Debord Daughter F 16 Missouri
In the late 1910's or very early 1920's, Elizabeth L. Debord was married to Joseph J. Lawson. At the time of the 1930 census, Mary, still listed as widowed, is found living with her daugher, Elizabeth, and her family in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri;
Joseph Lawson Head M 38 Kansas
Elizabeth Lawson Wife F 36 Missouri
Robert Lawson Son M 8 Missouri
Mary Debord Mother-in-law F 55 Tennessee
At the time of the 1940 census, Mary, still listed as widowed, is found residing with her daughter, Elizabeth L. (Debord) Lawson, and her family in what is called Ward 6, Kansas City, Kaw Township, Jackson County, Missouri;
Joseph J Lawson Head M 48 Kansas
Elizabeth D Lawson Wife F 46 Missouri
Robert Debord Lawson Son M 18 Missouri
Mary Debord Mother-in-law F 65 Ohio
Mary W. (__________) Debord died on December __, 1950 and her mortal remains were also laid in the Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 128632953.
4. (Son) ____________ Debord, born in the early 1850's; died Sept. 26, 1857; the stone appears to read 5?ys, 8ms, 13ds which would make his date of birth January 13, 1852; buried in the Princeville Township Cemetery
In the early 1840's, some members of the Debord family began a migration Pulaski County, Kentucky to Peoria County, where they settled on farms in Princeville and Akron Townships.
In the 1850 census of Peoria County these are the families as they are found;
1671 Deboard Ruben R. 32 M Farmer 300 Ky
1671 Deboard Julia A. 23 F Ohio
1671 Deboard Wm. 6 M Ill
1671 Deboard Charles 3 M Ill
1671 Deboard Henry 6/12 M Ill
1689 Deboard James 33 M Farmer 500 Ky
1689 Deboard Catharine27 F Georgia
1689 Deboard Nancy J. 9 F Ky
1689 Deboard Barbary 7 F Ill
1689 Deboard George 5 M Ill
1689 Deboard Wm. 3 M Ill
1689 Deboard Sarah E.3/12 F Ill
1689 Burgess Nancy 49 F Georgia
1689 Burgess Nancy A. 16 F Ky
However John Debord and his family are still found in Pulaski county, Kentucky at the time of the 1850 census;
John Debord M 30 Kentucky
Lucinda Debord F 20 Kentucky
William P Debord M 3 Kentucky
Robert A Debord M 1 Kentucky
In the early 1850's, John and Lucinda followed the other Debords to Illinois with their son, William Perry Debord. Two more sons are believed to have been born there in Illinois to John and Lucinda, who is believed to have died before 1860. Her mortal remains were almost certainly laid in the Princeville Township Cemetery near or next to her now unidentified son, who is buried buried there.
John Debord is found residing in Princeville Township at the time of the 1860 census. He lives next to his cousin, Henry Debord, the son of William Debord, brother of George Washington Debord. John is widowed at this time, is employed as a Teamster and all three children listed above are residing with him.
182 Debords Henry 35 450 KY
182 Debords Mary A. 26 KY
182 Debords Allen L. 2 IL
182 Debords John W. 38 teamster 250 KY
182 Debord Perry 13 KY
182 Debord Francis W. 8 IL
182 Debord Robert 4 IL
183 Deboard James 43 farmer KY
183 Deboard Nancy J. 18 IL
183 Deboard George 13 IL
183 Deboard William F.12 IL
183 Deboard Sarah E. 10 IL
183 Deboard Evermout F.2 IL
183 Burgess Nancy 59 GA
183 Deboard Stephen - KY farmhand
John was married 2nd to Elizabeth Jane Brown. John returned to Kentucky to marry her, possibly shortly before the war, about 1861 or early 1862. John is listed as being married at the time he entered the service in 1862. However, it is stated in her obituary that they were not married until 1867. This may very well be an error, as again he is listed as being married at the time he entered the service. However, their first child was not born until well after he had returned from the service in May of 1869. In either case, they returned to Illinois shortly afterward they were married.
Elizabeth Jane (Brown) Debord was born on December 13, 1833 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. It may have been there that they were also married. At least four children were born to them. They are;
5. Delilah J. "Allie" Debord, born on May 17, 1869 in Peoria County, Illinois. About 1898, at the age of 29, Allie was married to Dr. Francis Alexander "Frank" Lee. No children are believed to have been born to them. At the time of the 1910 census, Allie and Frank are found residing in Ward 1 of the city of Skidmore, Nodaway County, Missouri;
Frank A. Lee 48 Iowa KY NJ
Allie J. Lee 40 ILL KY KY
Elizabeth J. Debord 76 KY KY KY
By 1930, Frank and Allie are found residing at what is then identified as 3157 Ivy Street in San Diego, San Diego County, California;
Frank A. Lee 67 Medical Doctor Iowa
Allie J Lee 60 ILL
Frank A. Lee died on ___________ __, 1938 and his mortal remains were laid in the Greenfield Cemetery in Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa.
Allie J. (Debord) Lee died on April 21, 1962 in San Diego, California. Her mortal remains were returned to Iowa, where they were also laid to rest in the Greenfield Cemetery in Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial #68983658.
6. Nellie A. Debord, born on or about December 30, 1875 in Nodaway County, Missouri; died Oct. 7, 1894 Nodaway County at the age of 18y, 9m, 7d.
7. George Debord, born c. 1878; died Feb. 22, 1879 in Nodaway County, Missouri
8. Lilly May Debord, born July 22, 1878 in or near Skidmore in Nodaway County, Missouri. Lillie May DeBord was married to William Logan Jones (1875 - 1962) in 18__. At least two children were born to Lilly and William;
A. Lawrence Debord Jones (1900 Missouri - 1953)
B. Helen Jones, born c. 1909/10 in Missouri.
At the time of the 1920 census, Lillie and her family are found residing at what is then identified as 708 Liberty Street in Ward 1 of the city of Independence, Jackson County, Missouri;
Logan Jones 44 Iowa Shoe Merchant
Lillie Jones 41 Missouri
Lawrence Jones 19 Missouri
Helen Jones 10 Missouri
Lilly died on 4 Jun 1953 in Raytown, Jackson County, Missouri and her mortal remains were laid in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. See here Find A Grave Memorial #78878848.
In August of 1862, four members of the family would enlist in what was to become Co. K of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. On August 7, 1862, John F. French, a Princeville area school teacher, began recruiting a company of men from the Princeville area for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. On August 7, 1862, Nelson Debord, a son of William Debord and Emily (Darnell) Debord, was one of John F. French's first volunteers. Two days later on August 9, 1862, Jefferson Debord, believed to be Nelson's brother, volunteered for service in the Princeville company. On August 13, 1862, uncle John Debord volunteered for service in John F. French's company.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name DEBORD, JOHN Rank PVT
Company K Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence PRINCEVILLE, PEORIA CO, IL
Age 41 Height 5' 5
Hair BLACK Eyes BLUE
Complexion FAIR
Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER
Nativity SOMERSET, PULASKI CO, KY
Service Record
Joined When AUG 13, 1862
Joined Where PRINCEVILLE, IL
Joined By Whom CPT FRENCH
Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom
Muster Out
Muster Out Where
Muster Out By Whom
Remarks TRANS TO INVALID CORPS APR 20, 1864
By the afternoon of August 13, 1862, John F. French had about 101 volunteers, including himself. That afternoon, John F. French led the Princeville company on a 20 mile march into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, located near present day Glen Oak Park, where they waited to be mustered into service. On August 19, 1862, Henry Debord, another son of George Washington Debord and brother of John Debord, came into Peoria, where he volunteered for service in the Princeville company. On August 27, 1862, John F. French and 95 of his volunteers were mustered into service as Co. K of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. All four of the Debords were among those accepted and mustered into the service. They were 29 year old Jefferson Debord, 30 year old Nelson Debord and their uncles, 38 year old Henry Debord and 41 year old John Debord. John Debord was the 3rd oldest in Co. K. Only Wagoner John Dukes, age 43, and Private Peter Dinsmore, age 42, were older.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Undoubtedly scattered among the crowds were a number of members of the Debord family, there to see their four father, brothers, uncles off for war, not knowing whether they would ever see them again. Three weeks later, the men of the 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, in pursuit of Confederate troops in Kentucky. The Debord family members, at least temporarily, found themselves back in the State of their birth, Kentucky. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, no more than 40 miles from the Debord Kentucky homesteads. There at Perryville, the 86th Illinois suffered their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years.
After the Battle of Perryville, a Union victory, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on the Nashville, Tennessee, where they would go into winter camp. The winter of 1862/63 was hard on the men of both armies as the living conditions and quality of food took its toll. Disease, in the Union armies in the north, took a great toll duiring that first winter in the service. Nine members of Co. K died and 12 others were discharged from the service because of illness. Nelson Debord, was one of those who became quite ill during that first winter. In fact, he was almost certainly severely sick in the hospital with Pneumonia on his 31st birthday on February 20, 1832. His condition continued to deteriorate and on March 4, 1863, Private Nelson Debord, the first member of the Debord family to volunteer, succumbed to Pneumonia. His body was sent home back to Princeville by three grieving family members, one of the few to be sent home during the war. Nelson's body was laid to rest in the Princeville Township Cemetery, the second Co. K member to be laid to rest there. Private Hezekiah Foley had been discharged because of illness back in January and he died in Princeville in February.
The three remaining Debords served on with Co. K, seeing action at the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia in September of 1863. The winter of 1863/64 was spent in part near the Lee & Gordon Mill, on the south edge of the Chickamauga, Georgia battlefield. Time and the elements began to take their toll on John Debord, who was now at least 42 years of age. By April of 1864, The army deemed him unfit for duty in a front line unit and on April 20, 1864, John was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps where he could continue to serve a useful but physically less demanding role in the service. John is believed to have served out the remainder of the war in the 12th Regiment of Veteran Reserve Corps. He continued to have health related issues and was finally discharged from the Veteran Reserve Corps on February 28, 1865 and he returned to his home and family in Princeville.
In May of 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman's Army, of which McCook's Brigade was a part, began what was to become known as the Atlanta Campaign. During the next year, Henry and Jefferson Debord would serve faithfully in Co. K and be witness to and participate in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Resaca, Georgia; Rome, Georgia, Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peach Tree Creek, Georgia; Jonesboro, Georgia; Averysboro, North Carolina; and Bentonville, North Carolina, to name a few and March with Sherman to the Sea. On June 6, 1865, Henry and Jefferson were still found among the surviving members of the 86th Illinois when they were mustered out of service at Washington, D.C. They then, with the surviving members of Co. K, returned to his homes in Princeville Township.
re mustered into service on August 27, 1862 at Camp Lyon, Peoria, Illinois.
John and Elizabeth remained in Princeville for some time after he returned from the service. They are found in Princeville Township at the time of the 1870 census.
62 DeBord John 51 M Farmer 800 Kentucky
62 DeBord Elizabeth 34 F Kentucky
62 DeBord Wm. P. 23 M Kentucky
62 DeBord Frances M. 18 M Illinois
62 DeBord Robert 16 M Illinois
62 DeBord Delilah 1 F Illinois
62 Wiggins Clarence 27 M Farm Laborer Illinois
However, shortly after this census was taken, probably in late 1870, John and Elizabeth moved the family to Missouri, where they settled in Green Township in Nodaway County west of Skidmore, Missouri. They are found there in Greene Township, Nodaway County, Missouri at the time of the 1880 census;
John Debord, born c. 1816 in Kentucky; spouse: Elizabeth Debord; spouse's birthplace: Kentucky; father's birthplace: North Carolina; mother's birthplace: North Carolina; Marital status: Married; age: 64 years; occupation: Farmer
Elizabeth Debord, born c. 1836 in Kentucky; spouse
Allie I. Debord, born c. 1868 in Illinois, daughter
Nellie A. Debord, born c. 1875 in Missouri, daughter
Lilly M. Debord, born c. 1878 in Missouri, daughter
William Debord, born c. 1850 in Kentucky, son, father's name: John Debord; father's birthplace: Kentucky; mother's name: Elizabeth Debord; mother's birthplace: Kentucky; martial status: Married; age: 30 years; occupation: Farmer
Minnie P. Debord, born c. 1877 in Missouri; age: 3; grandaughter
Charles F. Debord, born c. 1871 in Missouri; age: 9; grandson
Arry Weatheford, born c. 1867 in Missouri; age: 13; laborer
John and Elizabeth remained there the rest of their lives. Private John Debord died on March 3, 1882 and his earthly remains were laid to rest in the Burr Oak Cemetery located about four miles west of Skidmore, Missouri.
Elizabeth remained in the Skidmore, Missouri until her death on August 19, 1913. For the last five years of her life she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. F. A. Lee. Elizabeth was an invalid for several years and apparently suffered a stroke and for the last two and one half years was entirely paralyzed on one side. Her obituary stated, "She was a kind and devoted wife and mother and won the esteem and admiration of all who knew her. In her death her children have lost a dear companion and her friends a loving sympathetic neighbor." Her earthly remains were laid in the Burr Oak Cemetery beside those of her husband of about 30 years.
by Baxter B. Fite III and Robin Riat, [email protected], of Nodaway County, Missouri.
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants, who might be able to add to the biography of Private John Debord. Baxter would also love to get a copy of a photograph of John Debord, especially from his days in Co. K, for his Find A Grave site and for the Princeville Historical Society.)
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