(NOTE: Isaac M. Sill probably never had his portrait 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, Isaac, 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 "Dagerreotype" or "tin type" or more often in a new fangled process 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 made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Isaac M. Sill then survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Isaac probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of that CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see, but in the mean time, I would just be thrilled to see some pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private ISAAC MARION SILL, Co. I, 86th Illinois
Isaac Marion Sill was born on August 22, 1838 in Illinois, perhaps in Hollis Township of Peoria County, Illinois. Isaac claimed to have been born in Hollis Township of Peoria County, Illinois, but they can not be found in the 1840 Peoria County census. Isaac was the son of William Sill and Catherine "Caty" (Martin) Sill. William Sill was born about 1790 in Pennsylvania, while Catherine Sill was born about 1802 in Pennsylvania. They are known to have resided in Clarmont County, Ohio, where they are known to have had a son named William Perry Jackson Sill, who was born about 1835/36. About a year of so after the birth of William Jackson Perry Sill, the Sill family moved west to Illinois. They are known to have eventually ended up in Hollis Township in Peoria County, but they are not found in the Peoria County census of 1840, so they have stopped over somewhere else in Illinois first, before coming on to Peoria County. George Sill Sr. and Jr. are in Peoria County in 1840. This is believed to be a brother and nephew of Williams. Perhaps this is why William eventually ends of in Peoria County. There is a William Sill found in Ward 6 of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois in the 1840 census. Perhaps this is our William Sill and perhaps Isaac was born there and then shortly after he was born, William followed George to Peoria County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1850 census the William Sill family is found in Peoria County. Three families away is the family of George Sill. George is 50 years of age and was born in Pennsylvania;
Sill William 60 M Farming 500 Pa
Sill Caty 48 F Pa
Sill Jackson 14 M Ohio
Sill Isaac 12 M Ill
The family residing on the other side of George Sill was the family of Ebenezer and Ann Stebbins;
Stebbins Ebenezer 67 Farming 600 N. Jersey
Stebbins Ann 50 Pa
Stebbins Cornelius 30 Farming Ohio
Stebbins Ann 28 Ohio
Stebbins Ebenezer 25 Farming Ohio
Stebbins Mary 23 Ohio
Stebbins Jacob 21 Farming Ohio
Stebbins James 18 Farming Ohio
Stebbins Isabel 16 Ohio
Stebbins Elisabeth 14 Ohio
Stebbins Martha 11 Ohio
Stebbins Esther 9 Ohio
Stebbins Louisa 7 Ohio
Stebbins Mariah 3 Ill
For some reason, I can not find any of William Sill's family in Peoria County in the 1860 census. It is now believed that the Stebbins family, or at least most of it, moved west to Iowa in the 1850's. Isaac is believed to have following them, at least for a short time. It is now known that Isaac Marion Sill was married to Martha Caroline Stebbins on April 1, 1860 in Louisa County, Iowa. As shown above, Martha was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1838/39) at __________, Ohio, the daughter of Ebenezer Stebbins and Ann (___________) Stebbins.
At the time of the 1860 census, Isaac and Martha are found in Elliott Township, Louisa County, Iowa;
Isaac M Sills M 21 Ohio
Martha Sills F 21 Ohio
Three children are known to have been born to Isaac and Martha. Their first children may very well have been born in Iowa, before they returned to Illinois. The children are;
1. Reuben G. or L. Sill, born c. 1861 in Iowa or Illinois In 1870, Reuben is found with his parents in Peoria County. Then in 1880, Reuben is found with his father and step mother in Lyon County, Kansas.
At the time of the 1895 Kansas state census, the following family is found in Lyon County. Is this our Reuben Sill?
R L Sill M 34 Iowa
Margaret Sill F 24 Indiana
Prena Sill F 1 Kansas
At the time of the 1900 census, the following family is found in Jackson Township (part), Lyon County, Kansas. Ruben and Maggie have been married 8 years;
Rubin L Sill Head M Aug 1861 39 Illinois
Maggie J Sill Wife F Aug 1865 35 Indiana
Preny Sill Daughter F Aug 1893 7 Kansas
If this is our Reuben Sill, then it must be noted that Preny Sill died on February 14, 1908 in Lyon County, Kansas. The Saturday, February 15, 1908 edition of The Emporia Gazette noted the following;
"Preny Sill, the 14-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Sill, living eight miles southeast of Emporia, died at 11 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The funeral will be held at 11 o'clock tomorrow at the Sill home, and interment will be made in the Hunt cemetery."
Preny's mortal remains were laid in what is now called the Fowler Cemetery near Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial #151354036.
At the time of the 1910 census, Rubin is found, widowed, and living in Lincoln, Coffey County, Kansas with his brother, James, and his family;
Jacob M Sill Head M 45 Illinois
Lilly M Sill Wife F 38 Illinois
Richard I Sill Son M 17 Kansas
Jacob E Sill Son M 6 Kansas
Walter A Sill Son M 3 Kansas
Sill Daughter F 0 Kansas
Rubin L Sill Brother M 50 Illinois
At the time of the 1920 census, there is a Ruben L Sill living in Madison, Greenwood County, Kansas. He lists both of his parents being born in Illinois, which would be correct for his dad, but not for his mom;
Bell Head M 65 Kentucky
Ruben L Sill Lodger M 57 Iowa Farmer
2. Ida Jane Sill, born c. 1863 in Illinois; died on March 19, 1916 at __________, __________.
3. Jacob M. Sill, born May 16, 1865 in Illinois. Jacob was married to Lilly _____________.
At the time of the 1910 census, Jacob and his family are found in Lincoln, Coffey County, Kansas;
Jacob M Sill Head M 45 Illinois
Lilly M Sill Wife F 38 Illinois
Richard I Sill Son M 17 Kansas
Jacob E Sill Son M 6 Kansas
Walter A Sill Son M 3 Kansas
Sill Daughter F 0 Kansas
Rubin L Sill Brother M 50 Illinois
Rubin was residing in Madison, Kansas at the time of his father's death in 1917; Jacob died on Aug. 11, 1954; buried in the Blakely Cemetery in Madison, Greenwood County, Kansas.
By 1862, Isaac and Martha have returned to Illinois and are residing in Limestone Township of Peoria County. William P. J. Sill is residing in Peoria Township, Peoria County, Illinois at this time. Is it possible that William and Catherine have died by 1860?
On August 15, 1862, Isaac Sill volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Lancaster, Illinois/Timber Township area of Peoria County by a well known business man and Lancaster area merchant by the name of Allen L. Fahnestock.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name SILL, ISAAC M
Rank PVT Company I Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LIMESTONE, PEORIA CO, IL Age 23 Height 5' 9 1/4 Hair DARK
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER
Nativity HOLLIS, PEORIA CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 15, 1862 Joined Where LANCASTER, IL
Joined By Whom A L FAHNESTOCK Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED FEB 2, 1863 AT GALLATIN TENN FOR DISABILITY
When Fahnestock had about 100 volunteers he led his company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, which was established on the site of what was then the Peoria County Fairgrounds, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 22, 1862, William P. J. Sill volunteered at Peoria, Illinois to also serve in the Lancaster/Timber Township company, so that he could serve with his brother.
Fahnestock was elected Captain of the men of the Timber Township company and on August 27, 1862, Fahnestock, and 96 of the other Timber Township volunteers, including the Sill brothers, were mustered in as Company I of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The men of the 85th & 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon on September 7, 1862, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad depot, where they boarded a train bound for Camp Jo Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, across the river from Louisville. Three weeks later the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade chasing Confederate troops. On October 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate forces withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they would go into winter camp.
Even before the men of McCook's Brigade left Camp Joe Holt and the Louisville, Kentucky area, the green troops were having great difficulty with their new diet and way of life. When McCook's Briagde left the Louisville area, dozens of men were left behind in the Union Hospitals there. After the Battle of Perryville, McCook's Brigade stopped at Bowling Green, Kentucky for a few days on their way south. When they left Bowling Green, still more troops were left behind at Union Hospitals. When McCook's Brigade got to Gallatin, Tennessee, they stopped again for a couple days rest and again, when they pulled out, heading from Nashville, still more troops were left behind in Union Army Hospitals. One of the troops who was having great difficulty with his health at this point was Private Isaac Sill. It is believed that he was one of the troops left behind in the hospital at this point.
Whatever his ailment, the doctors were unable to do anything that improved his condition. Finally in late January, the army doctors made the decision that it would be best to discharge Isaac from the service for these health reason and send him home. It was hoped with the help of family and some home cooking, he would regain his health. So, on February 2, 1863, Private Isaac Sill was discharged from the service and sent home. By the end of February Isaac was almost certainly back home with his family in Central Illinois.
Private William P. J. Sill went on to Nashville with the 86th and McCook's Brigade and went on to serve another 2 and 1/2 years with the 86th, until the war was over. Please see his Find A Grave site and biography for more information about his service with the 86th.
With the help of family and that home cooking, Isaac did regain his health at least to some extent. Two more children were born to Isaac and Martha after he returned as well.
At the time of the 1870 census, Isaac and Martha are found residing in Hollis Township in Peoria County with their family. Isaac and Martha are listed as being 23, but are probably both about 33/31;
113 Sill Isaac 23 Day Laborer Illinois
113 Sill Martha 23 Day wife Ohio
113 Sill Reuben G. 9 Iowa
113 Sill Ada Jane 7 Illinois
113 Sill Jacob M. 5 Illinois
At the time of the 1870 census, William Perry Jackson Sill and his family are found in Limestone Township of Peoria County;
383 Sill W.P.J. 34 farmer Ohio
383 Sill Matilda 32 wife Illinois
383 Sill Alfred 11 Illinois
383 Sill Melissa 9 Illinois
383 Sill Mary Ellen 7 Illinois
Martha died on __________ __, 187___ at __________, __________. Her earthly remains were laid to rest in the ____________ Cemetery in ___________, ___________.
Isaac was married 2nd to Elizabeth Ann Milles, of Pekin, Illinois on __________ __, 18__. Elizabeth was born on December 23, 1844 in Illinois. At the time of the 1880 census, Isaac and his family are found in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas where he is a farmer;
Isaac Sills Self M 40 Illinois
Elizabeth A Sills Wife F 36 Illinois
Reubin Sills Son M 19 Illinois
Ida Sills Daughter F 17 Illinois
Jacob Sills Son M 14 Illinois
Mary Ann Miles Stepdaughter F 12 Illinois
Martha E Miles Stepdaughter F 7 Illinois
Elizabeth Ann (Milles) Sill died on July 29, 1891 at Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. Her earthly remains were laid to rest in the Fowler Cemetery in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial #177707598.
On October 27, 1894, Isaac was married 3rd to Anna Margaret (Wallace) Walcott/Wolcott, of Emporia, Kansas. Anna was born on January 1, 1858 in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania and was previously married to Royal Wolcott, by whom she had several children. They are Lilla, Archie and Florence Walcott/Wolcott
Two children were born to Isaac Marion Sill and Anna Margaret (Wallace) Walcott Sill. They are;
4. William Henry Sill, born September 16, 1895 in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. In 1957, at the time of his brother's, Birdie, death William was living in Bellflower, Calif.; William died on July 4, 1970 in Bellflower, Los Angeles County, California and his mortal remains were laid in the Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Los Angeles County, California. See his Find A Grave Memorial #115185824.
5. Birdie Sill, bornSeptember 23, 1898 in the family home located at 108 Neosho Street in the city of Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. Birdie was married to Gussie Morris in 1921 and they were the parents of three children. Birdie and Gussie were divorced before 1930.
Their children include;
1. Esther Sill, born 1921/22 in Kansas. Esther was married to Clarence Stephens and they resided in Alexandria, Virginia.
2. Ralph M. Sill, born c. 1923/24 in Kansas. Ralph resided at 917 Garfield St. Emporia, Kansas for some time.
3. Peggy Sill, born c. 1925/26 in Kansas. Peggy was married to ___________ Myers and they resided in Omaha, Nebraska.
At the time of the 1930 census, Birdie and his children are found in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas;
Anna M Sill Head F 72 Pennsylvania
Birdie Sill Son M 31 Kansas
Esther Sill Granddaughter F 8 Kansas
Ralph Sill Grandson M 6 Kansas
Peggy Sill Granddaughter F 4 Kansas
Birdie died on May 28, 1957 in his home located at 108 Neosho Street in the city of Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #114726023.
At the time of the 1895 Kansas state census, Isaac and Anna are found in Lyon County, Kansas;
I Sill M 56 Ohio
A M Sill F 36 Pennsylvania
A Walcott F 14 Kansas
F Walcott F 7 Kansas
A Walcott M 5 Kansas
Isaac and Anna must have divorced sometime before 1906. Anna lived into the 1930's. See her Find A Grave Memorial #114725980.
Helen Bortz found that the marriage records of Lyon County, Kansas show that Isaac Marion Sill was married to Sarah Amanda Cox on December 19, 1906. The 1910 Federal Census of Madison Twp., Greenwood Co., KS list "Mandy" as his wife. However, Ancestry has indexed it as "Maudy" and his obituary lists her as Maud. Sarah Amanda Cox was first married to __________ Cox. He is buried in Woodson Co., Kansas. Sarah Amanda Cox is believed to have died in 1914, but it is not known where she is buried. There is no record of her burial beside her first husband and it is not known if she is buried beside Isaac or not.
Private Isaac Marion Sill died on April 19, 1917 in his home in Madison, Kansas in Greenwood County. The Wednesday, April 25, 1917 edition of The Madison Mirror had the following notice on Page 1 of the paper;
"Isaac Marion Sill was born in Peoria county, Ill., August 22, 1832. He was united in marriage to Martha Stebens in 1860. Three children were born to this union, two of whom survive, Baben (sic) and Jacob Sill of Madison. The sister, Ida, departed this life March 19, 1916, Martha Stebens Sill died in 1867, and Mr. Sill was again married to Elizabeth Milles, of Pekin, Ill., who died July 29, 1891. On October 27, 1897, he was again married to Anna M. Wolcott of Emporia. To this union two children were born, William and Birdie Sill of Emporia. On December 23, he was married to Maud Cox, who died in 1914.
He leaves four children and one sister to mourn his departure.
He was a member of the G. A. R. having inlisted (sic) in Co. 85 of Ill. Volunteers. He was honorably discharged July 25, 1865. He confessed faith in Christ and united with the M. E. Church last December. His last words were, "I am ready."
He departed this life April 19, 1917 at his home in Madison. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the M. E. Church. The services were conducted by the Rev. T. Bowen. Interment was made in Blakely cemetery."
by Baxter B. Fite III, Judy Mayfield and Helen Bortz at [email protected].
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants of the Sill family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Private Isaac Marion Sill and the Sill family. Baxter would also love to copies of any pictures of Isaac Marion Sill that may have survived the years, especially any showing him in uniform from his days in the service, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
Isaac M. Sill then survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Isaac probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of that CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see, but in the mean time, I would just be thrilled to see some pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private ISAAC MARION SILL, Co. I, 86th Illinois
Isaac Marion Sill was born on August 22, 1838 in Illinois, perhaps in Hollis Township of Peoria County, Illinois. Isaac claimed to have been born in Hollis Township of Peoria County, Illinois, but they can not be found in the 1840 Peoria County census. Isaac was the son of William Sill and Catherine "Caty" (Martin) Sill. William Sill was born about 1790 in Pennsylvania, while Catherine Sill was born about 1802 in Pennsylvania. They are known to have resided in Clarmont County, Ohio, where they are known to have had a son named William Perry Jackson Sill, who was born about 1835/36. About a year of so after the birth of William Jackson Perry Sill, the Sill family moved west to Illinois. They are known to have eventually ended up in Hollis Township in Peoria County, but they are not found in the Peoria County census of 1840, so they have stopped over somewhere else in Illinois first, before coming on to Peoria County. George Sill Sr. and Jr. are in Peoria County in 1840. This is believed to be a brother and nephew of Williams. Perhaps this is why William eventually ends of in Peoria County. There is a William Sill found in Ward 6 of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois in the 1840 census. Perhaps this is our William Sill and perhaps Isaac was born there and then shortly after he was born, William followed George to Peoria County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1850 census the William Sill family is found in Peoria County. Three families away is the family of George Sill. George is 50 years of age and was born in Pennsylvania;
Sill William 60 M Farming 500 Pa
Sill Caty 48 F Pa
Sill Jackson 14 M Ohio
Sill Isaac 12 M Ill
The family residing on the other side of George Sill was the family of Ebenezer and Ann Stebbins;
Stebbins Ebenezer 67 Farming 600 N. Jersey
Stebbins Ann 50 Pa
Stebbins Cornelius 30 Farming Ohio
Stebbins Ann 28 Ohio
Stebbins Ebenezer 25 Farming Ohio
Stebbins Mary 23 Ohio
Stebbins Jacob 21 Farming Ohio
Stebbins James 18 Farming Ohio
Stebbins Isabel 16 Ohio
Stebbins Elisabeth 14 Ohio
Stebbins Martha 11 Ohio
Stebbins Esther 9 Ohio
Stebbins Louisa 7 Ohio
Stebbins Mariah 3 Ill
For some reason, I can not find any of William Sill's family in Peoria County in the 1860 census. It is now believed that the Stebbins family, or at least most of it, moved west to Iowa in the 1850's. Isaac is believed to have following them, at least for a short time. It is now known that Isaac Marion Sill was married to Martha Caroline Stebbins on April 1, 1860 in Louisa County, Iowa. As shown above, Martha was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1838/39) at __________, Ohio, the daughter of Ebenezer Stebbins and Ann (___________) Stebbins.
At the time of the 1860 census, Isaac and Martha are found in Elliott Township, Louisa County, Iowa;
Isaac M Sills M 21 Ohio
Martha Sills F 21 Ohio
Three children are known to have been born to Isaac and Martha. Their first children may very well have been born in Iowa, before they returned to Illinois. The children are;
1. Reuben G. or L. Sill, born c. 1861 in Iowa or Illinois In 1870, Reuben is found with his parents in Peoria County. Then in 1880, Reuben is found with his father and step mother in Lyon County, Kansas.
At the time of the 1895 Kansas state census, the following family is found in Lyon County. Is this our Reuben Sill?
R L Sill M 34 Iowa
Margaret Sill F 24 Indiana
Prena Sill F 1 Kansas
At the time of the 1900 census, the following family is found in Jackson Township (part), Lyon County, Kansas. Ruben and Maggie have been married 8 years;
Rubin L Sill Head M Aug 1861 39 Illinois
Maggie J Sill Wife F Aug 1865 35 Indiana
Preny Sill Daughter F Aug 1893 7 Kansas
If this is our Reuben Sill, then it must be noted that Preny Sill died on February 14, 1908 in Lyon County, Kansas. The Saturday, February 15, 1908 edition of The Emporia Gazette noted the following;
"Preny Sill, the 14-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Sill, living eight miles southeast of Emporia, died at 11 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The funeral will be held at 11 o'clock tomorrow at the Sill home, and interment will be made in the Hunt cemetery."
Preny's mortal remains were laid in what is now called the Fowler Cemetery near Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial #151354036.
At the time of the 1910 census, Rubin is found, widowed, and living in Lincoln, Coffey County, Kansas with his brother, James, and his family;
Jacob M Sill Head M 45 Illinois
Lilly M Sill Wife F 38 Illinois
Richard I Sill Son M 17 Kansas
Jacob E Sill Son M 6 Kansas
Walter A Sill Son M 3 Kansas
Sill Daughter F 0 Kansas
Rubin L Sill Brother M 50 Illinois
At the time of the 1920 census, there is a Ruben L Sill living in Madison, Greenwood County, Kansas. He lists both of his parents being born in Illinois, which would be correct for his dad, but not for his mom;
Bell Head M 65 Kentucky
Ruben L Sill Lodger M 57 Iowa Farmer
2. Ida Jane Sill, born c. 1863 in Illinois; died on March 19, 1916 at __________, __________.
3. Jacob M. Sill, born May 16, 1865 in Illinois. Jacob was married to Lilly _____________.
At the time of the 1910 census, Jacob and his family are found in Lincoln, Coffey County, Kansas;
Jacob M Sill Head M 45 Illinois
Lilly M Sill Wife F 38 Illinois
Richard I Sill Son M 17 Kansas
Jacob E Sill Son M 6 Kansas
Walter A Sill Son M 3 Kansas
Sill Daughter F 0 Kansas
Rubin L Sill Brother M 50 Illinois
Rubin was residing in Madison, Kansas at the time of his father's death in 1917; Jacob died on Aug. 11, 1954; buried in the Blakely Cemetery in Madison, Greenwood County, Kansas.
By 1862, Isaac and Martha have returned to Illinois and are residing in Limestone Township of Peoria County. William P. J. Sill is residing in Peoria Township, Peoria County, Illinois at this time. Is it possible that William and Catherine have died by 1860?
On August 15, 1862, Isaac Sill volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Lancaster, Illinois/Timber Township area of Peoria County by a well known business man and Lancaster area merchant by the name of Allen L. Fahnestock.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name SILL, ISAAC M
Rank PVT Company I Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LIMESTONE, PEORIA CO, IL Age 23 Height 5' 9 1/4 Hair DARK
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER
Nativity HOLLIS, PEORIA CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 15, 1862 Joined Where LANCASTER, IL
Joined By Whom A L FAHNESTOCK Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED FEB 2, 1863 AT GALLATIN TENN FOR DISABILITY
When Fahnestock had about 100 volunteers he led his company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, which was established on the site of what was then the Peoria County Fairgrounds, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 22, 1862, William P. J. Sill volunteered at Peoria, Illinois to also serve in the Lancaster/Timber Township company, so that he could serve with his brother.
Fahnestock was elected Captain of the men of the Timber Township company and on August 27, 1862, Fahnestock, and 96 of the other Timber Township volunteers, including the Sill brothers, were mustered in as Company I of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The men of the 85th & 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon on September 7, 1862, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad depot, where they boarded a train bound for Camp Jo Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, across the river from Louisville. Three weeks later the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade chasing Confederate troops. On October 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate forces withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they would go into winter camp.
Even before the men of McCook's Brigade left Camp Joe Holt and the Louisville, Kentucky area, the green troops were having great difficulty with their new diet and way of life. When McCook's Briagde left the Louisville area, dozens of men were left behind in the Union Hospitals there. After the Battle of Perryville, McCook's Brigade stopped at Bowling Green, Kentucky for a few days on their way south. When they left Bowling Green, still more troops were left behind at Union Hospitals. When McCook's Brigade got to Gallatin, Tennessee, they stopped again for a couple days rest and again, when they pulled out, heading from Nashville, still more troops were left behind in Union Army Hospitals. One of the troops who was having great difficulty with his health at this point was Private Isaac Sill. It is believed that he was one of the troops left behind in the hospital at this point.
Whatever his ailment, the doctors were unable to do anything that improved his condition. Finally in late January, the army doctors made the decision that it would be best to discharge Isaac from the service for these health reason and send him home. It was hoped with the help of family and some home cooking, he would regain his health. So, on February 2, 1863, Private Isaac Sill was discharged from the service and sent home. By the end of February Isaac was almost certainly back home with his family in Central Illinois.
Private William P. J. Sill went on to Nashville with the 86th and McCook's Brigade and went on to serve another 2 and 1/2 years with the 86th, until the war was over. Please see his Find A Grave site and biography for more information about his service with the 86th.
With the help of family and that home cooking, Isaac did regain his health at least to some extent. Two more children were born to Isaac and Martha after he returned as well.
At the time of the 1870 census, Isaac and Martha are found residing in Hollis Township in Peoria County with their family. Isaac and Martha are listed as being 23, but are probably both about 33/31;
113 Sill Isaac 23 Day Laborer Illinois
113 Sill Martha 23 Day wife Ohio
113 Sill Reuben G. 9 Iowa
113 Sill Ada Jane 7 Illinois
113 Sill Jacob M. 5 Illinois
At the time of the 1870 census, William Perry Jackson Sill and his family are found in Limestone Township of Peoria County;
383 Sill W.P.J. 34 farmer Ohio
383 Sill Matilda 32 wife Illinois
383 Sill Alfred 11 Illinois
383 Sill Melissa 9 Illinois
383 Sill Mary Ellen 7 Illinois
Martha died on __________ __, 187___ at __________, __________. Her earthly remains were laid to rest in the ____________ Cemetery in ___________, ___________.
Isaac was married 2nd to Elizabeth Ann Milles, of Pekin, Illinois on __________ __, 18__. Elizabeth was born on December 23, 1844 in Illinois. At the time of the 1880 census, Isaac and his family are found in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas where he is a farmer;
Isaac Sills Self M 40 Illinois
Elizabeth A Sills Wife F 36 Illinois
Reubin Sills Son M 19 Illinois
Ida Sills Daughter F 17 Illinois
Jacob Sills Son M 14 Illinois
Mary Ann Miles Stepdaughter F 12 Illinois
Martha E Miles Stepdaughter F 7 Illinois
Elizabeth Ann (Milles) Sill died on July 29, 1891 at Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. Her earthly remains were laid to rest in the Fowler Cemetery in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial #177707598.
On October 27, 1894, Isaac was married 3rd to Anna Margaret (Wallace) Walcott/Wolcott, of Emporia, Kansas. Anna was born on January 1, 1858 in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania and was previously married to Royal Wolcott, by whom she had several children. They are Lilla, Archie and Florence Walcott/Wolcott
Two children were born to Isaac Marion Sill and Anna Margaret (Wallace) Walcott Sill. They are;
4. William Henry Sill, born September 16, 1895 in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. In 1957, at the time of his brother's, Birdie, death William was living in Bellflower, Calif.; William died on July 4, 1970 in Bellflower, Los Angeles County, California and his mortal remains were laid in the Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Los Angeles County, California. See his Find A Grave Memorial #115185824.
5. Birdie Sill, bornSeptember 23, 1898 in the family home located at 108 Neosho Street in the city of Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. Birdie was married to Gussie Morris in 1921 and they were the parents of three children. Birdie and Gussie were divorced before 1930.
Their children include;
1. Esther Sill, born 1921/22 in Kansas. Esther was married to Clarence Stephens and they resided in Alexandria, Virginia.
2. Ralph M. Sill, born c. 1923/24 in Kansas. Ralph resided at 917 Garfield St. Emporia, Kansas for some time.
3. Peggy Sill, born c. 1925/26 in Kansas. Peggy was married to ___________ Myers and they resided in Omaha, Nebraska.
At the time of the 1930 census, Birdie and his children are found in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas;
Anna M Sill Head F 72 Pennsylvania
Birdie Sill Son M 31 Kansas
Esther Sill Granddaughter F 8 Kansas
Ralph Sill Grandson M 6 Kansas
Peggy Sill Granddaughter F 4 Kansas
Birdie died on May 28, 1957 in his home located at 108 Neosho Street in the city of Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #114726023.
At the time of the 1895 Kansas state census, Isaac and Anna are found in Lyon County, Kansas;
I Sill M 56 Ohio
A M Sill F 36 Pennsylvania
A Walcott F 14 Kansas
F Walcott F 7 Kansas
A Walcott M 5 Kansas
Isaac and Anna must have divorced sometime before 1906. Anna lived into the 1930's. See her Find A Grave Memorial #114725980.
Helen Bortz found that the marriage records of Lyon County, Kansas show that Isaac Marion Sill was married to Sarah Amanda Cox on December 19, 1906. The 1910 Federal Census of Madison Twp., Greenwood Co., KS list "Mandy" as his wife. However, Ancestry has indexed it as "Maudy" and his obituary lists her as Maud. Sarah Amanda Cox was first married to __________ Cox. He is buried in Woodson Co., Kansas. Sarah Amanda Cox is believed to have died in 1914, but it is not known where she is buried. There is no record of her burial beside her first husband and it is not known if she is buried beside Isaac or not.
Private Isaac Marion Sill died on April 19, 1917 in his home in Madison, Kansas in Greenwood County. The Wednesday, April 25, 1917 edition of The Madison Mirror had the following notice on Page 1 of the paper;
"Isaac Marion Sill was born in Peoria county, Ill., August 22, 1832. He was united in marriage to Martha Stebens in 1860. Three children were born to this union, two of whom survive, Baben (sic) and Jacob Sill of Madison. The sister, Ida, departed this life March 19, 1916, Martha Stebens Sill died in 1867, and Mr. Sill was again married to Elizabeth Milles, of Pekin, Ill., who died July 29, 1891. On October 27, 1897, he was again married to Anna M. Wolcott of Emporia. To this union two children were born, William and Birdie Sill of Emporia. On December 23, he was married to Maud Cox, who died in 1914.
He leaves four children and one sister to mourn his departure.
He was a member of the G. A. R. having inlisted (sic) in Co. 85 of Ill. Volunteers. He was honorably discharged July 25, 1865. He confessed faith in Christ and united with the M. E. Church last December. His last words were, "I am ready."
He departed this life April 19, 1917 at his home in Madison. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the M. E. Church. The services were conducted by the Rev. T. Bowen. Interment was made in Blakely cemetery."
by Baxter B. Fite III, Judy Mayfield and Helen Bortz at [email protected].
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants of the Sill family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Private Isaac Marion Sill and the Sill family. Baxter would also love to copies of any pictures of Isaac Marion Sill that may have survived the years, especially any showing him in uniform from his days in the service, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
(NOTE: Isaac M. Sill probably never had his portrait 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, Isaac, 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 "Dagerreotype" or "tin type" or more often in a new fangled process 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 made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Isaac M. Sill then survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Isaac probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of that CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see, but in the mean time, I would just be thrilled to see some pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private ISAAC MARION SILL, Co. I, 86th Illinois
Isaac Marion Sill was born on August 22, 1838 in Illinois, perhaps in Hollis Township of Peoria County, Illinois. Isaac claimed to have been born in Hollis Township of Peoria County, Illinois, but they can not be found in the 1840 Peoria County census. Isaac was the son of William Sill and Catherine "Caty" (Martin) Sill. William Sill was born about 1790 in Pennsylvania, while Catherine Sill was born about 1802 in Pennsylvania. They are known to have resided in Clarmont County, Ohio, where they are known to have had a son named William Perry Jackson Sill, who was born about 1835/36. About a year of so after the birth of William Jackson Perry Sill, the Sill family moved west to Illinois. They are known to have eventually ended up in Hollis Township in Peoria County, but they are not found in the Peoria County census of 1840, so they have stopped over somewhere else in Illinois first, before coming on to Peoria County. George Sill Sr. and Jr. are in Peoria County in 1840. This is believed to be a brother and nephew of Williams. Perhaps this is why William eventually ends of in Peoria County. There is a William Sill found in Ward 6 of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois in the 1840 census. Perhaps this is our William Sill and perhaps Isaac was born there and then shortly after he was born, William followed George to Peoria County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1850 census the William Sill family is found in Peoria County. Three families away is the family of George Sill. George is 50 years of age and was born in Pennsylvania;
Sill William 60 M Farming 500 Pa
Sill Caty 48 F Pa
Sill Jackson 14 M Ohio
Sill Isaac 12 M Ill
The family residing on the other side of George Sill was the family of Ebenezer and Ann Stebbins;
Stebbins Ebenezer 67 Farming 600 N. Jersey
Stebbins Ann 50 Pa
Stebbins Cornelius 30 Farming Ohio
Stebbins Ann 28 Ohio
Stebbins Ebenezer 25 Farming Ohio
Stebbins Mary 23 Ohio
Stebbins Jacob 21 Farming Ohio
Stebbins James 18 Farming Ohio
Stebbins Isabel 16 Ohio
Stebbins Elisabeth 14 Ohio
Stebbins Martha 11 Ohio
Stebbins Esther 9 Ohio
Stebbins Louisa 7 Ohio
Stebbins Mariah 3 Ill
For some reason, I can not find any of William Sill's family in Peoria County in the 1860 census. It is now believed that the Stebbins family, or at least most of it, moved west to Iowa in the 1850's. Isaac is believed to have following them, at least for a short time. It is now known that Isaac Marion Sill was married to Martha Caroline Stebbins on April 1, 1860 in Louisa County, Iowa. As shown above, Martha was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1838/39) at __________, Ohio, the daughter of Ebenezer Stebbins and Ann (___________) Stebbins.
At the time of the 1860 census, Isaac and Martha are found in Elliott Township, Louisa County, Iowa;
Isaac M Sills M 21 Ohio
Martha Sills F 21 Ohio
Three children are known to have been born to Isaac and Martha. Their first children may very well have been born in Iowa, before they returned to Illinois. The children are;
1. Reuben G. or L. Sill, born c. 1861 in Iowa or Illinois In 1870, Reuben is found with his parents in Peoria County. Then in 1880, Reuben is found with his father and step mother in Lyon County, Kansas.
At the time of the 1895 Kansas state census, the following family is found in Lyon County. Is this our Reuben Sill?
R L Sill M 34 Iowa
Margaret Sill F 24 Indiana
Prena Sill F 1 Kansas
At the time of the 1900 census, the following family is found in Jackson Township (part), Lyon County, Kansas. Ruben and Maggie have been married 8 years;
Rubin L Sill Head M Aug 1861 39 Illinois
Maggie J Sill Wife F Aug 1865 35 Indiana
Preny Sill Daughter F Aug 1893 7 Kansas
If this is our Reuben Sill, then it must be noted that Preny Sill died on February 14, 1908 in Lyon County, Kansas. The Saturday, February 15, 1908 edition of The Emporia Gazette noted the following;
"Preny Sill, the 14-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Sill, living eight miles southeast of Emporia, died at 11 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The funeral will be held at 11 o'clock tomorrow at the Sill home, and interment will be made in the Hunt cemetery."
Preny's mortal remains were laid in what is now called the Fowler Cemetery near Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial #151354036.
At the time of the 1910 census, Rubin is found, widowed, and living in Lincoln, Coffey County, Kansas with his brother, James, and his family;
Jacob M Sill Head M 45 Illinois
Lilly M Sill Wife F 38 Illinois
Richard I Sill Son M 17 Kansas
Jacob E Sill Son M 6 Kansas
Walter A Sill Son M 3 Kansas
Sill Daughter F 0 Kansas
Rubin L Sill Brother M 50 Illinois
At the time of the 1920 census, there is a Ruben L Sill living in Madison, Greenwood County, Kansas. He lists both of his parents being born in Illinois, which would be correct for his dad, but not for his mom;
Bell Head M 65 Kentucky
Ruben L Sill Lodger M 57 Iowa Farmer
2. Ida Jane Sill, born c. 1863 in Illinois; died on March 19, 1916 at __________, __________.
3. Jacob M. Sill, born May 16, 1865 in Illinois. Jacob was married to Lilly _____________.
At the time of the 1910 census, Jacob and his family are found in Lincoln, Coffey County, Kansas;
Jacob M Sill Head M 45 Illinois
Lilly M Sill Wife F 38 Illinois
Richard I Sill Son M 17 Kansas
Jacob E Sill Son M 6 Kansas
Walter A Sill Son M 3 Kansas
Sill Daughter F 0 Kansas
Rubin L Sill Brother M 50 Illinois
Rubin was residing in Madison, Kansas at the time of his father's death in 1917; Jacob died on Aug. 11, 1954; buried in the Blakely Cemetery in Madison, Greenwood County, Kansas.
By 1862, Isaac and Martha have returned to Illinois and are residing in Limestone Township of Peoria County. William P. J. Sill is residing in Peoria Township, Peoria County, Illinois at this time. Is it possible that William and Catherine have died by 1860?
On August 15, 1862, Isaac Sill volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Lancaster, Illinois/Timber Township area of Peoria County by a well known business man and Lancaster area merchant by the name of Allen L. Fahnestock.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name SILL, ISAAC M
Rank PVT Company I Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LIMESTONE, PEORIA CO, IL Age 23 Height 5' 9 1/4 Hair DARK
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER
Nativity HOLLIS, PEORIA CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 15, 1862 Joined Where LANCASTER, IL
Joined By Whom A L FAHNESTOCK Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED FEB 2, 1863 AT GALLATIN TENN FOR DISABILITY
When Fahnestock had about 100 volunteers he led his company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, which was established on the site of what was then the Peoria County Fairgrounds, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 22, 1862, William P. J. Sill volunteered at Peoria, Illinois to also serve in the Lancaster/Timber Township company, so that he could serve with his brother.
Fahnestock was elected Captain of the men of the Timber Township company and on August 27, 1862, Fahnestock, and 96 of the other Timber Township volunteers, including the Sill brothers, were mustered in as Company I of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The men of the 85th & 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon on September 7, 1862, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad depot, where they boarded a train bound for Camp Jo Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, across the river from Louisville. Three weeks later the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade chasing Confederate troops. On October 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate forces withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they would go into winter camp.
Even before the men of McCook's Brigade left Camp Joe Holt and the Louisville, Kentucky area, the green troops were having great difficulty with their new diet and way of life. When McCook's Briagde left the Louisville area, dozens of men were left behind in the Union Hospitals there. After the Battle of Perryville, McCook's Brigade stopped at Bowling Green, Kentucky for a few days on their way south. When they left Bowling Green, still more troops were left behind at Union Hospitals. When McCook's Brigade got to Gallatin, Tennessee, they stopped again for a couple days rest and again, when they pulled out, heading from Nashville, still more troops were left behind in Union Army Hospitals. One of the troops who was having great difficulty with his health at this point was Private Isaac Sill. It is believed that he was one of the troops left behind in the hospital at this point.
Whatever his ailment, the doctors were unable to do anything that improved his condition. Finally in late January, the army doctors made the decision that it would be best to discharge Isaac from the service for these health reason and send him home. It was hoped with the help of family and some home cooking, he would regain his health. So, on February 2, 1863, Private Isaac Sill was discharged from the service and sent home. By the end of February Isaac was almost certainly back home with his family in Central Illinois.
Private William P. J. Sill went on to Nashville with the 86th and McCook's Brigade and went on to serve another 2 and 1/2 years with the 86th, until the war was over. Please see his Find A Grave site and biography for more information about his service with the 86th.
With the help of family and that home cooking, Isaac did regain his health at least to some extent. Two more children were born to Isaac and Martha after he returned as well.
At the time of the 1870 census, Isaac and Martha are found residing in Hollis Township in Peoria County with their family. Isaac and Martha are listed as being 23, but are probably both about 33/31;
113 Sill Isaac 23 Day Laborer Illinois
113 Sill Martha 23 Day wife Ohio
113 Sill Reuben G. 9 Iowa
113 Sill Ada Jane 7 Illinois
113 Sill Jacob M. 5 Illinois
At the time of the 1870 census, William Perry Jackson Sill and his family are found in Limestone Township of Peoria County;
383 Sill W.P.J. 34 farmer Ohio
383 Sill Matilda 32 wife Illinois
383 Sill Alfred 11 Illinois
383 Sill Melissa 9 Illinois
383 Sill Mary Ellen 7 Illinois
Martha died on __________ __, 187___ at __________, __________. Her earthly remains were laid to rest in the ____________ Cemetery in ___________, ___________.
Isaac was married 2nd to Elizabeth Ann Milles, of Pekin, Illinois on __________ __, 18__. Elizabeth was born on December 23, 1844 in Illinois. At the time of the 1880 census, Isaac and his family are found in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas where he is a farmer;
Isaac Sills Self M 40 Illinois
Elizabeth A Sills Wife F 36 Illinois
Reubin Sills Son M 19 Illinois
Ida Sills Daughter F 17 Illinois
Jacob Sills Son M 14 Illinois
Mary Ann Miles Stepdaughter F 12 Illinois
Martha E Miles Stepdaughter F 7 Illinois
Elizabeth Ann (Milles) Sill died on July 29, 1891 at Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. Her earthly remains were laid to rest in the Fowler Cemetery in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial #177707598.
On October 27, 1894, Isaac was married 3rd to Anna Margaret (Wallace) Walcott/Wolcott, of Emporia, Kansas. Anna was born on January 1, 1858 in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania and was previously married to Royal Wolcott, by whom she had several children. They are Lilla, Archie and Florence Walcott/Wolcott
Two children were born to Isaac Marion Sill and Anna Margaret (Wallace) Walcott Sill. They are;
4. William Henry Sill, born September 16, 1895 in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. In 1957, at the time of his brother's, Birdie, death William was living in Bellflower, Calif.; William died on July 4, 1970 in Bellflower, Los Angeles County, California and his mortal remains were laid in the Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Los Angeles County, California. See his Find A Grave Memorial #115185824.
5. Birdie Sill, bornSeptember 23, 1898 in the family home located at 108 Neosho Street in the city of Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. Birdie was married to Gussie Morris in 1921 and they were the parents of three children. Birdie and Gussie were divorced before 1930.
Their children include;
1. Esther Sill, born 1921/22 in Kansas. Esther was married to Clarence Stephens and they resided in Alexandria, Virginia.
2. Ralph M. Sill, born c. 1923/24 in Kansas. Ralph resided at 917 Garfield St. Emporia, Kansas for some time.
3. Peggy Sill, born c. 1925/26 in Kansas. Peggy was married to ___________ Myers and they resided in Omaha, Nebraska.
At the time of the 1930 census, Birdie and his children are found in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas;
Anna M Sill Head F 72 Pennsylvania
Birdie Sill Son M 31 Kansas
Esther Sill Granddaughter F 8 Kansas
Ralph Sill Grandson M 6 Kansas
Peggy Sill Granddaughter F 4 Kansas
Birdie died on May 28, 1957 in his home located at 108 Neosho Street in the city of Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #114726023.
At the time of the 1895 Kansas state census, Isaac and Anna are found in Lyon County, Kansas;
I Sill M 56 Ohio
A M Sill F 36 Pennsylvania
A Walcott F 14 Kansas
F Walcott F 7 Kansas
A Walcott M 5 Kansas
Isaac and Anna must have divorced sometime before 1906. Anna lived into the 1930's. See her Find A Grave Memorial #114725980.
Helen Bortz found that the marriage records of Lyon County, Kansas show that Isaac Marion Sill was married to Sarah Amanda Cox on December 19, 1906. The 1910 Federal Census of Madison Twp., Greenwood Co., KS list "Mandy" as his wife. However, Ancestry has indexed it as "Maudy" and his obituary lists her as Maud. Sarah Amanda Cox was first married to __________ Cox. He is buried in Woodson Co., Kansas. Sarah Amanda Cox is believed to have died in 1914, but it is not known where she is buried. There is no record of her burial beside her first husband and it is not known if she is buried beside Isaac or not.
Private Isaac Marion Sill died on April 19, 1917 in his home in Madison, Kansas in Greenwood County. The Wednesday, April 25, 1917 edition of The Madison Mirror had the following notice on Page 1 of the paper;
"Isaac Marion Sill was born in Peoria county, Ill., August 22, 1832. He was united in marriage to Martha Stebens in 1860. Three children were born to this union, two of whom survive, Baben (sic) and Jacob Sill of Madison. The sister, Ida, departed this life March 19, 1916, Martha Stebens Sill died in 1867, and Mr. Sill was again married to Elizabeth Milles, of Pekin, Ill., who died July 29, 1891. On October 27, 1897, he was again married to Anna M. Wolcott of Emporia. To this union two children were born, William and Birdie Sill of Emporia. On December 23, he was married to Maud Cox, who died in 1914.
He leaves four children and one sister to mourn his departure.
He was a member of the G. A. R. having inlisted (sic) in Co. 85 of Ill. Volunteers. He was honorably discharged July 25, 1865. He confessed faith in Christ and united with the M. E. Church last December. His last words were, "I am ready."
He departed this life April 19, 1917 at his home in Madison. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the M. E. Church. The services were conducted by the Rev. T. Bowen. Interment was made in Blakely cemetery."
by Baxter B. Fite III, Judy Mayfield and Helen Bortz at [email protected].
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants of the Sill family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Private Isaac Marion Sill and the Sill family. Baxter would also love to copies of any pictures of Isaac Marion Sill that may have survived the years, especially any showing him in uniform from his days in the service, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
Isaac M. Sill then survived the war and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Isaac probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of that CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see, but in the mean time, I would just be thrilled to see some pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private ISAAC MARION SILL, Co. I, 86th Illinois
Isaac Marion Sill was born on August 22, 1838 in Illinois, perhaps in Hollis Township of Peoria County, Illinois. Isaac claimed to have been born in Hollis Township of Peoria County, Illinois, but they can not be found in the 1840 Peoria County census. Isaac was the son of William Sill and Catherine "Caty" (Martin) Sill. William Sill was born about 1790 in Pennsylvania, while Catherine Sill was born about 1802 in Pennsylvania. They are known to have resided in Clarmont County, Ohio, where they are known to have had a son named William Perry Jackson Sill, who was born about 1835/36. About a year of so after the birth of William Jackson Perry Sill, the Sill family moved west to Illinois. They are known to have eventually ended up in Hollis Township in Peoria County, but they are not found in the Peoria County census of 1840, so they have stopped over somewhere else in Illinois first, before coming on to Peoria County. George Sill Sr. and Jr. are in Peoria County in 1840. This is believed to be a brother and nephew of Williams. Perhaps this is why William eventually ends of in Peoria County. There is a William Sill found in Ward 6 of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois in the 1840 census. Perhaps this is our William Sill and perhaps Isaac was born there and then shortly after he was born, William followed George to Peoria County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1850 census the William Sill family is found in Peoria County. Three families away is the family of George Sill. George is 50 years of age and was born in Pennsylvania;
Sill William 60 M Farming 500 Pa
Sill Caty 48 F Pa
Sill Jackson 14 M Ohio
Sill Isaac 12 M Ill
The family residing on the other side of George Sill was the family of Ebenezer and Ann Stebbins;
Stebbins Ebenezer 67 Farming 600 N. Jersey
Stebbins Ann 50 Pa
Stebbins Cornelius 30 Farming Ohio
Stebbins Ann 28 Ohio
Stebbins Ebenezer 25 Farming Ohio
Stebbins Mary 23 Ohio
Stebbins Jacob 21 Farming Ohio
Stebbins James 18 Farming Ohio
Stebbins Isabel 16 Ohio
Stebbins Elisabeth 14 Ohio
Stebbins Martha 11 Ohio
Stebbins Esther 9 Ohio
Stebbins Louisa 7 Ohio
Stebbins Mariah 3 Ill
For some reason, I can not find any of William Sill's family in Peoria County in the 1860 census. It is now believed that the Stebbins family, or at least most of it, moved west to Iowa in the 1850's. Isaac is believed to have following them, at least for a short time. It is now known that Isaac Marion Sill was married to Martha Caroline Stebbins on April 1, 1860 in Louisa County, Iowa. As shown above, Martha was born on __________ __, 18__ (c. 1838/39) at __________, Ohio, the daughter of Ebenezer Stebbins and Ann (___________) Stebbins.
At the time of the 1860 census, Isaac and Martha are found in Elliott Township, Louisa County, Iowa;
Isaac M Sills M 21 Ohio
Martha Sills F 21 Ohio
Three children are known to have been born to Isaac and Martha. Their first children may very well have been born in Iowa, before they returned to Illinois. The children are;
1. Reuben G. or L. Sill, born c. 1861 in Iowa or Illinois In 1870, Reuben is found with his parents in Peoria County. Then in 1880, Reuben is found with his father and step mother in Lyon County, Kansas.
At the time of the 1895 Kansas state census, the following family is found in Lyon County. Is this our Reuben Sill?
R L Sill M 34 Iowa
Margaret Sill F 24 Indiana
Prena Sill F 1 Kansas
At the time of the 1900 census, the following family is found in Jackson Township (part), Lyon County, Kansas. Ruben and Maggie have been married 8 years;
Rubin L Sill Head M Aug 1861 39 Illinois
Maggie J Sill Wife F Aug 1865 35 Indiana
Preny Sill Daughter F Aug 1893 7 Kansas
If this is our Reuben Sill, then it must be noted that Preny Sill died on February 14, 1908 in Lyon County, Kansas. The Saturday, February 15, 1908 edition of The Emporia Gazette noted the following;
"Preny Sill, the 14-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Sill, living eight miles southeast of Emporia, died at 11 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The funeral will be held at 11 o'clock tomorrow at the Sill home, and interment will be made in the Hunt cemetery."
Preny's mortal remains were laid in what is now called the Fowler Cemetery near Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial #151354036.
At the time of the 1910 census, Rubin is found, widowed, and living in Lincoln, Coffey County, Kansas with his brother, James, and his family;
Jacob M Sill Head M 45 Illinois
Lilly M Sill Wife F 38 Illinois
Richard I Sill Son M 17 Kansas
Jacob E Sill Son M 6 Kansas
Walter A Sill Son M 3 Kansas
Sill Daughter F 0 Kansas
Rubin L Sill Brother M 50 Illinois
At the time of the 1920 census, there is a Ruben L Sill living in Madison, Greenwood County, Kansas. He lists both of his parents being born in Illinois, which would be correct for his dad, but not for his mom;
Bell Head M 65 Kentucky
Ruben L Sill Lodger M 57 Iowa Farmer
2. Ida Jane Sill, born c. 1863 in Illinois; died on March 19, 1916 at __________, __________.
3. Jacob M. Sill, born May 16, 1865 in Illinois. Jacob was married to Lilly _____________.
At the time of the 1910 census, Jacob and his family are found in Lincoln, Coffey County, Kansas;
Jacob M Sill Head M 45 Illinois
Lilly M Sill Wife F 38 Illinois
Richard I Sill Son M 17 Kansas
Jacob E Sill Son M 6 Kansas
Walter A Sill Son M 3 Kansas
Sill Daughter F 0 Kansas
Rubin L Sill Brother M 50 Illinois
Rubin was residing in Madison, Kansas at the time of his father's death in 1917; Jacob died on Aug. 11, 1954; buried in the Blakely Cemetery in Madison, Greenwood County, Kansas.
By 1862, Isaac and Martha have returned to Illinois and are residing in Limestone Township of Peoria County. William P. J. Sill is residing in Peoria Township, Peoria County, Illinois at this time. Is it possible that William and Catherine have died by 1860?
On August 15, 1862, Isaac Sill volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in the Lancaster, Illinois/Timber Township area of Peoria County by a well known business man and Lancaster area merchant by the name of Allen L. Fahnestock.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name SILL, ISAAC M
Rank PVT Company I Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence LIMESTONE, PEORIA CO, IL Age 23 Height 5' 9 1/4 Hair DARK
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status MARRIED Occupation FARMER
Nativity HOLLIS, PEORIA CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 15, 1862 Joined Where LANCASTER, IL
Joined By Whom A L FAHNESTOCK Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED FEB 2, 1863 AT GALLATIN TENN FOR DISABILITY
When Fahnestock had about 100 volunteers he led his company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, which was established on the site of what was then the Peoria County Fairgrounds, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 22, 1862, William P. J. Sill volunteered at Peoria, Illinois to also serve in the Lancaster/Timber Township company, so that he could serve with his brother.
Fahnestock was elected Captain of the men of the Timber Township company and on August 27, 1862, Fahnestock, and 96 of the other Timber Township volunteers, including the Sill brothers, were mustered in as Company I of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
The men of the 85th & 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon on September 7, 1862, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad depot, where they boarded a train bound for Camp Jo Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, across the river from Louisville. Three weeks later the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade chasing Confederate troops. On October 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops during the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate forces withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they would go into winter camp.
Even before the men of McCook's Brigade left Camp Joe Holt and the Louisville, Kentucky area, the green troops were having great difficulty with their new diet and way of life. When McCook's Briagde left the Louisville area, dozens of men were left behind in the Union Hospitals there. After the Battle of Perryville, McCook's Brigade stopped at Bowling Green, Kentucky for a few days on their way south. When they left Bowling Green, still more troops were left behind at Union Hospitals. When McCook's Brigade got to Gallatin, Tennessee, they stopped again for a couple days rest and again, when they pulled out, heading from Nashville, still more troops were left behind in Union Army Hospitals. One of the troops who was having great difficulty with his health at this point was Private Isaac Sill. It is believed that he was one of the troops left behind in the hospital at this point.
Whatever his ailment, the doctors were unable to do anything that improved his condition. Finally in late January, the army doctors made the decision that it would be best to discharge Isaac from the service for these health reason and send him home. It was hoped with the help of family and some home cooking, he would regain his health. So, on February 2, 1863, Private Isaac Sill was discharged from the service and sent home. By the end of February Isaac was almost certainly back home with his family in Central Illinois.
Private William P. J. Sill went on to Nashville with the 86th and McCook's Brigade and went on to serve another 2 and 1/2 years with the 86th, until the war was over. Please see his Find A Grave site and biography for more information about his service with the 86th.
With the help of family and that home cooking, Isaac did regain his health at least to some extent. Two more children were born to Isaac and Martha after he returned as well.
At the time of the 1870 census, Isaac and Martha are found residing in Hollis Township in Peoria County with their family. Isaac and Martha are listed as being 23, but are probably both about 33/31;
113 Sill Isaac 23 Day Laborer Illinois
113 Sill Martha 23 Day wife Ohio
113 Sill Reuben G. 9 Iowa
113 Sill Ada Jane 7 Illinois
113 Sill Jacob M. 5 Illinois
At the time of the 1870 census, William Perry Jackson Sill and his family are found in Limestone Township of Peoria County;
383 Sill W.P.J. 34 farmer Ohio
383 Sill Matilda 32 wife Illinois
383 Sill Alfred 11 Illinois
383 Sill Melissa 9 Illinois
383 Sill Mary Ellen 7 Illinois
Martha died on __________ __, 187___ at __________, __________. Her earthly remains were laid to rest in the ____________ Cemetery in ___________, ___________.
Isaac was married 2nd to Elizabeth Ann Milles, of Pekin, Illinois on __________ __, 18__. Elizabeth was born on December 23, 1844 in Illinois. At the time of the 1880 census, Isaac and his family are found in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas where he is a farmer;
Isaac Sills Self M 40 Illinois
Elizabeth A Sills Wife F 36 Illinois
Reubin Sills Son M 19 Illinois
Ida Sills Daughter F 17 Illinois
Jacob Sills Son M 14 Illinois
Mary Ann Miles Stepdaughter F 12 Illinois
Martha E Miles Stepdaughter F 7 Illinois
Elizabeth Ann (Milles) Sill died on July 29, 1891 at Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. Her earthly remains were laid to rest in the Fowler Cemetery in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial #177707598.
On October 27, 1894, Isaac was married 3rd to Anna Margaret (Wallace) Walcott/Wolcott, of Emporia, Kansas. Anna was born on January 1, 1858 in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania and was previously married to Royal Wolcott, by whom she had several children. They are Lilla, Archie and Florence Walcott/Wolcott
Two children were born to Isaac Marion Sill and Anna Margaret (Wallace) Walcott Sill. They are;
4. William Henry Sill, born September 16, 1895 in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. In 1957, at the time of his brother's, Birdie, death William was living in Bellflower, Calif.; William died on July 4, 1970 in Bellflower, Los Angeles County, California and his mortal remains were laid in the Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Los Angeles County, California. See his Find A Grave Memorial #115185824.
5. Birdie Sill, bornSeptember 23, 1898 in the family home located at 108 Neosho Street in the city of Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. Birdie was married to Gussie Morris in 1921 and they were the parents of three children. Birdie and Gussie were divorced before 1930.
Their children include;
1. Esther Sill, born 1921/22 in Kansas. Esther was married to Clarence Stephens and they resided in Alexandria, Virginia.
2. Ralph M. Sill, born c. 1923/24 in Kansas. Ralph resided at 917 Garfield St. Emporia, Kansas for some time.
3. Peggy Sill, born c. 1925/26 in Kansas. Peggy was married to ___________ Myers and they resided in Omaha, Nebraska.
At the time of the 1930 census, Birdie and his children are found in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas;
Anna M Sill Head F 72 Pennsylvania
Birdie Sill Son M 31 Kansas
Esther Sill Granddaughter F 8 Kansas
Ralph Sill Grandson M 6 Kansas
Peggy Sill Granddaughter F 4 Kansas
Birdie died on May 28, 1957 in his home located at 108 Neosho Street in the city of Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas and his mortal remains were laid in the Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial #114726023.
At the time of the 1895 Kansas state census, Isaac and Anna are found in Lyon County, Kansas;
I Sill M 56 Ohio
A M Sill F 36 Pennsylvania
A Walcott F 14 Kansas
F Walcott F 7 Kansas
A Walcott M 5 Kansas
Isaac and Anna must have divorced sometime before 1906. Anna lived into the 1930's. See her Find A Grave Memorial #114725980.
Helen Bortz found that the marriage records of Lyon County, Kansas show that Isaac Marion Sill was married to Sarah Amanda Cox on December 19, 1906. The 1910 Federal Census of Madison Twp., Greenwood Co., KS list "Mandy" as his wife. However, Ancestry has indexed it as "Maudy" and his obituary lists her as Maud. Sarah Amanda Cox was first married to __________ Cox. He is buried in Woodson Co., Kansas. Sarah Amanda Cox is believed to have died in 1914, but it is not known where she is buried. There is no record of her burial beside her first husband and it is not known if she is buried beside Isaac or not.
Private Isaac Marion Sill died on April 19, 1917 in his home in Madison, Kansas in Greenwood County. The Wednesday, April 25, 1917 edition of The Madison Mirror had the following notice on Page 1 of the paper;
"Isaac Marion Sill was born in Peoria county, Ill., August 22, 1832. He was united in marriage to Martha Stebens in 1860. Three children were born to this union, two of whom survive, Baben (sic) and Jacob Sill of Madison. The sister, Ida, departed this life March 19, 1916, Martha Stebens Sill died in 1867, and Mr. Sill was again married to Elizabeth Milles, of Pekin, Ill., who died July 29, 1891. On October 27, 1897, he was again married to Anna M. Wolcott of Emporia. To this union two children were born, William and Birdie Sill of Emporia. On December 23, he was married to Maud Cox, who died in 1914.
He leaves four children and one sister to mourn his departure.
He was a member of the G. A. R. having inlisted (sic) in Co. 85 of Ill. Volunteers. He was honorably discharged July 25, 1865. He confessed faith in Christ and united with the M. E. Church last December. His last words were, "I am ready."
He departed this life April 19, 1917 at his home in Madison. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the M. E. Church. The services were conducted by the Rev. T. Bowen. Interment was made in Blakely cemetery."
by Baxter B. Fite III, Judy Mayfield and Helen Bortz at [email protected].
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants of the Sill family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Private Isaac Marion Sill and the Sill family. Baxter would also love to copies of any pictures of Isaac Marion Sill that may have survived the years, especially any showing him in uniform from his days in the service, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
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