Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. Born in the coal regions of Pennsylvania, his family moved to Pekin in Tazewell county, Illinois when he was a young boy. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he volunteered and was made a first lieutenant in the 8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After Expeditions to Cape Girardeau, Commerce, Bloomfield, and Norfolk, Missouri and Paducah and Blandville, Kentucky, he was promoted to captain in time for the assaults on Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. After participating in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Holly Springs, and Vicksburg, he was promoted to major. He commanded the regiment in an expedition to Monroe, Louisiana in August of 1863 and was named a lieutenant colonel of the 8th Illinois in recognition of his leadership skills. On November 27, 1864, he was named Colonel of the 8th Illinois. From February 4 to April 12, 1865, his regiment was part of General Canby's Army in its assault on Mobile, Alabama. It was the first regiment to enter the city on April 12th. During the campaign, he was brevetted brigadier general "for faithful and meritorious services during the campaign against the city of Mobile and its defenses." The 8th Illinois, under his leadership, continued to perform guard duty at the end of the war in Shreveport, Louisiana; Marshall, Texas; Alexandria, Louisiana; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana until it was mustered out on May 4, 1866. After the war, he served in the regular army until 1875 and then became an insurance agent in Freeport, Illinois until his death.
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. Born in the coal regions of Pennsylvania, his family moved to Pekin in Tazewell county, Illinois when he was a young boy. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he volunteered and was made a first lieutenant in the 8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After Expeditions to Cape Girardeau, Commerce, Bloomfield, and Norfolk, Missouri and Paducah and Blandville, Kentucky, he was promoted to captain in time for the assaults on Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. After participating in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Holly Springs, and Vicksburg, he was promoted to major. He commanded the regiment in an expedition to Monroe, Louisiana in August of 1863 and was named a lieutenant colonel of the 8th Illinois in recognition of his leadership skills. On November 27, 1864, he was named Colonel of the 8th Illinois. From February 4 to April 12, 1865, his regiment was part of General Canby's Army in its assault on Mobile, Alabama. It was the first regiment to enter the city on April 12th. During the campaign, he was brevetted brigadier general "for faithful and meritorious services during the campaign against the city of Mobile and its defenses." The 8th Illinois, under his leadership, continued to perform guard duty at the end of the war in Shreveport, Louisiana; Marshall, Texas; Alexandria, Louisiana; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana until it was mustered out on May 4, 1866. After the war, he served in the regular army until 1875 and then became an insurance agent in Freeport, Illinois until his death.
Bio by: Thomas Fisher
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