Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. A graduate of the Rock River Seminary in 1855, he became a dry goods merchant in Mt. Morris, Illinois. In January of 1861, he moved to Oregon, Illinois and became deputy circuit clerk for Ogle county. In May of 1862, he was elected sheriff of Ogle county but served only a few months. During the summer of 1862, in response to President Lincoln's call for volunteers to fight against secession, he joined the 92nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry as a lieutenant colonel. The 92nd Illinois was organized in northwestern Illinois in August and September of 1862. It became known as the "Abolitionist Regiment" because of its concern for the welfare of African-Americans in Kentucky where they first encountered slaves and slave owners. During much of the next year, he served in General George H. Thomas' corps of the Army of the Cumberland. The 92nd Illinois also participated as part of Wilder's "Lightning Brigade" in the Tullahoma campaign, the Battle of Chickamauga, and the beginning of General Sherman's March to the Sea. On March 13, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier general "for faithful and meritorious services." He had resigned his position for financial reasons on April 21, 1864. After the war, he resumed his occupation as a dry goods merchant and miller. In 1886, he was elected to the state senate for one four year term. While serving in that body, he introduced legislation to establish the Illinois State Reformatory located in Pontiac, Illinois. He was appointed by Governor Fifer to be the first superintendent of that institution and served in that capacity from 1891 until 1893.
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. A graduate of the Rock River Seminary in 1855, he became a dry goods merchant in Mt. Morris, Illinois. In January of 1861, he moved to Oregon, Illinois and became deputy circuit clerk for Ogle county. In May of 1862, he was elected sheriff of Ogle county but served only a few months. During the summer of 1862, in response to President Lincoln's call for volunteers to fight against secession, he joined the 92nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry as a lieutenant colonel. The 92nd Illinois was organized in northwestern Illinois in August and September of 1862. It became known as the "Abolitionist Regiment" because of its concern for the welfare of African-Americans in Kentucky where they first encountered slaves and slave owners. During much of the next year, he served in General George H. Thomas' corps of the Army of the Cumberland. The 92nd Illinois also participated as part of Wilder's "Lightning Brigade" in the Tullahoma campaign, the Battle of Chickamauga, and the beginning of General Sherman's March to the Sea. On March 13, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier general "for faithful and meritorious services." He had resigned his position for financial reasons on April 21, 1864. After the war, he resumed his occupation as a dry goods merchant and miller. In 1886, he was elected to the state senate for one four year term. While serving in that body, he introduced legislation to establish the Illinois State Reformatory located in Pontiac, Illinois. He was appointed by Governor Fifer to be the first superintendent of that institution and served in that capacity from 1891 until 1893.
Bio by: Thomas Fisher
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