Biography of William Augustus Orrill
rev2009
by Donald Bedwell
William A. Orrill the oldest son of John D. Orrill and Catherine Bird. He was born in Williamsburg Virginia. Some sources show his birth as late as 1819 but most are in the range of 1811 to 1813. He was a farmer and moved to Madison, Jefferson County Indiana with his parents. He married Lucinda Jane Humphreys in Madison, Jefferson County Indiana on Sept. 8, 1831. Lucinda was born in Garrard Co. Kentucky July 14, 1812 and she was a daughter of Cornelius Thomson Humphreys & Elizabeth Brooks. Service records for William shows that he worked as a mechanic and had dark eyes, gray hair, light complexion and stood 6 feet two inches tall. Census records show him as a farmer and miller. After the birth of their first daughter, Elizabeth Katherine in Jefferson County Indiana in 1832, he left his parents and siblings in Madison and moved his family to Hancock County, Illinois where two more daughters, Lucinda H. was born in 1840 and Henrietta A. was born in 1844 . His first son William H. (Harry) was born about 1846 also in Hancock County, Illinois. William and his family then moved on to Iowa in 1847. In 1848 they are found in Locust Grove Township, Jefferson Co. Iowa where their second son Winfield Sylvester was born on September 26, 1848. In the 1850 census they were in Monroe Township, Mahaska Co. Iowa, where their third son and last child Adonbeck E. (Don), sometimes listed as John E. on some early records, was born May 19, 1850.
William owned and operated a mill just outside of New Sharon, Mahaska County, Iowa. When the Civil War started the Union Army took over the Mill and the town that grew up around this mill became known as Union Mills, Iowa. William enrolled and joined for duty in Company H, 3rd Regiment of the Iowa Infantry on May 31, 1861 in Keokuk Iowa for a period of three years and according to The Davenport Daily Gazette dated 7 June 1861 he found his "long lost brother" (J.G.) Joseph G. Orrill, whom he hasn't seen since May 1841. The following is that article:
The Davenport Daily Gazette
7 June 1861
Davenport, Iowa
An Affecting Scene
The infant belonging to the Mahaska Greys, stationed on Fifth Street, was the means of bringing about a singular coincidence and affecting scene. The Davenport City Artillery Company is quartered in the adjoining building, and have the pleasure of possessing one of the tallest of men in the ranks. His height being 6 feet 4 1/2 inches, they challenged his size against any the Mahaska boys could produce, but when the infant was trotted out, the latter beat him by 1/4 of an inch. Wheeler Chadwick is the name of this towering individual. It seems, however, that Mahaska can brag on tall men generally, and at the moment Chadwick had measured, a private of the same company, named Wm A. Orrill, stepped out and placed himself back to back with the Davenport Champion, saying, that probably he could size him. He did, and turning around to ask his opponent's name, he at once recognized him to be a long lost brother, and whom he had not seen since 1851, when at his wedding at Madison, Indiana. In a moment they were in each other's arms, and their feelings can be imagined better than we can describe them. They had not heard of each other since that separation until at this happy moment. The latter's name is J.(Joseph) G. Orrill a bookbinder by trade, he has worked in this city in Mr. Pearce's bindery, and is well known to a great many of our citizens. He has lately lived in Davenport. Such is life. Here are two brothers, after years of absence, brought together by their eagerness to serve their country. They are Virginians by birth, but of that stock which never proves false to the flag of the country......
William is listed as absent on furlough in the June-Oct. 1861 Muster Rolls. The reason for this furlough must have been due to the fact that his first wife Lucinda Jane was gravely ill. Lucinda died September 12th 1861. Her burial is in the Indianapolis Cemetery in Indianapolis, Monroe Township, Mahaska County, Iowa. During Williams furlough the 3rd Regiment participated in its first engagement at Blue Mills Mo. 9/18/1861. The Nov-Dec Muster Rolls show William as being sick in quarters in St. Louis Missouri. It is known that many men became ill from drinking tainted water from the river, William must have been one of these men. Dec.1861 through Oct. 1862 he is listed as present. On April 6, 1862 William was slightly wounded in the left groin/hip at Pittsburg Landing,/Shiloh . The Regiment fought at Metamora Oct. 5th, 1862 and suffered heavily. William was promoted to Sergeant on 28 Dec. 1862. On the way to join General Grant before Vicksburg, the Third was attacked by guerrillas with the result of fourteen men wounded. The Regiment then participated in the operations at Vicksburg. Williams Regiment then went into battle at Johnson Ms. with 241 men wounded, missing and lost 114 killed. It was noted that on Oct 1863 William was on daily duty as Ordinance Sergeant. The Nov-Dec Muster Rolls shows that he was absent in Iowa Recruiting Service on 21 Nov 1863 by Special Order No. 263 from General McPherson. William reenlisted in Davenport Iowa 27 Feb 1864 to serve three years in Company I, 2nd Regiment. William is shown on detached duty in Louisville, Kentucky since 17 Aug 1864 by order of Secretary of War. William was discharged on 4 Jan 1865 to receive a promotion to 1st Lieutenant and appointment to the 122nd U.S.C.T. ( United States Colored Troops) in Louisville. His name is on Plaque D-126 on the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC , he was included on this memorial because he was a commissioned officer in the 122nd U.S.C.T.
William married Sophia E. Green on 11 July 1865 in Louisville, her maiden name is unknown (she was born in Sweden and previously married to Jacob Green, and she had a daughter from this marriage by the name of Amanda Green). William Mustered-out the next day on 12 July 1865. William then became a policeman in Louisville. William resided at 822 E. Jefferson in Louisville, within a few blocks of his brother John D. Orrill Jr., until his death on 23 June 1875. William's burial is recorded as being in section A, range 10, lot 52 of Eastern Cemetery in Louisville, There isn't a monument on his grave. Sophia filed for a widow's pension 17 July 1890 in Kentucky Application #437345 and Certificate #372487. Sophia died 16 Apr 1922 and is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co. Illinois.
rev2009
by Donald Bedwell
William A. Orrill the oldest son of John D. Orrill and Catherine Bird. He was born in Williamsburg Virginia. Some sources show his birth as late as 1819 but most are in the range of 1811 to 1813. He was a farmer and moved to Madison, Jefferson County Indiana with his parents. He married Lucinda Jane Humphreys in Madison, Jefferson County Indiana on Sept. 8, 1831. Lucinda was born in Garrard Co. Kentucky July 14, 1812 and she was a daughter of Cornelius Thomson Humphreys & Elizabeth Brooks. Service records for William shows that he worked as a mechanic and had dark eyes, gray hair, light complexion and stood 6 feet two inches tall. Census records show him as a farmer and miller. After the birth of their first daughter, Elizabeth Katherine in Jefferson County Indiana in 1832, he left his parents and siblings in Madison and moved his family to Hancock County, Illinois where two more daughters, Lucinda H. was born in 1840 and Henrietta A. was born in 1844 . His first son William H. (Harry) was born about 1846 also in Hancock County, Illinois. William and his family then moved on to Iowa in 1847. In 1848 they are found in Locust Grove Township, Jefferson Co. Iowa where their second son Winfield Sylvester was born on September 26, 1848. In the 1850 census they were in Monroe Township, Mahaska Co. Iowa, where their third son and last child Adonbeck E. (Don), sometimes listed as John E. on some early records, was born May 19, 1850.
William owned and operated a mill just outside of New Sharon, Mahaska County, Iowa. When the Civil War started the Union Army took over the Mill and the town that grew up around this mill became known as Union Mills, Iowa. William enrolled and joined for duty in Company H, 3rd Regiment of the Iowa Infantry on May 31, 1861 in Keokuk Iowa for a period of three years and according to The Davenport Daily Gazette dated 7 June 1861 he found his "long lost brother" (J.G.) Joseph G. Orrill, whom he hasn't seen since May 1841. The following is that article:
The Davenport Daily Gazette
7 June 1861
Davenport, Iowa
An Affecting Scene
The infant belonging to the Mahaska Greys, stationed on Fifth Street, was the means of bringing about a singular coincidence and affecting scene. The Davenport City Artillery Company is quartered in the adjoining building, and have the pleasure of possessing one of the tallest of men in the ranks. His height being 6 feet 4 1/2 inches, they challenged his size against any the Mahaska boys could produce, but when the infant was trotted out, the latter beat him by 1/4 of an inch. Wheeler Chadwick is the name of this towering individual. It seems, however, that Mahaska can brag on tall men generally, and at the moment Chadwick had measured, a private of the same company, named Wm A. Orrill, stepped out and placed himself back to back with the Davenport Champion, saying, that probably he could size him. He did, and turning around to ask his opponent's name, he at once recognized him to be a long lost brother, and whom he had not seen since 1851, when at his wedding at Madison, Indiana. In a moment they were in each other's arms, and their feelings can be imagined better than we can describe them. They had not heard of each other since that separation until at this happy moment. The latter's name is J.(Joseph) G. Orrill a bookbinder by trade, he has worked in this city in Mr. Pearce's bindery, and is well known to a great many of our citizens. He has lately lived in Davenport. Such is life. Here are two brothers, after years of absence, brought together by their eagerness to serve their country. They are Virginians by birth, but of that stock which never proves false to the flag of the country......
William is listed as absent on furlough in the June-Oct. 1861 Muster Rolls. The reason for this furlough must have been due to the fact that his first wife Lucinda Jane was gravely ill. Lucinda died September 12th 1861. Her burial is in the Indianapolis Cemetery in Indianapolis, Monroe Township, Mahaska County, Iowa. During Williams furlough the 3rd Regiment participated in its first engagement at Blue Mills Mo. 9/18/1861. The Nov-Dec Muster Rolls show William as being sick in quarters in St. Louis Missouri. It is known that many men became ill from drinking tainted water from the river, William must have been one of these men. Dec.1861 through Oct. 1862 he is listed as present. On April 6, 1862 William was slightly wounded in the left groin/hip at Pittsburg Landing,/Shiloh . The Regiment fought at Metamora Oct. 5th, 1862 and suffered heavily. William was promoted to Sergeant on 28 Dec. 1862. On the way to join General Grant before Vicksburg, the Third was attacked by guerrillas with the result of fourteen men wounded. The Regiment then participated in the operations at Vicksburg. Williams Regiment then went into battle at Johnson Ms. with 241 men wounded, missing and lost 114 killed. It was noted that on Oct 1863 William was on daily duty as Ordinance Sergeant. The Nov-Dec Muster Rolls shows that he was absent in Iowa Recruiting Service on 21 Nov 1863 by Special Order No. 263 from General McPherson. William reenlisted in Davenport Iowa 27 Feb 1864 to serve three years in Company I, 2nd Regiment. William is shown on detached duty in Louisville, Kentucky since 17 Aug 1864 by order of Secretary of War. William was discharged on 4 Jan 1865 to receive a promotion to 1st Lieutenant and appointment to the 122nd U.S.C.T. ( United States Colored Troops) in Louisville. His name is on Plaque D-126 on the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC , he was included on this memorial because he was a commissioned officer in the 122nd U.S.C.T.
William married Sophia E. Green on 11 July 1865 in Louisville, her maiden name is unknown (she was born in Sweden and previously married to Jacob Green, and she had a daughter from this marriage by the name of Amanda Green). William Mustered-out the next day on 12 July 1865. William then became a policeman in Louisville. William resided at 822 E. Jefferson in Louisville, within a few blocks of his brother John D. Orrill Jr., until his death on 23 June 1875. William's burial is recorded as being in section A, range 10, lot 52 of Eastern Cemetery in Louisville, There isn't a monument on his grave. Sophia filed for a widow's pension 17 July 1890 in Kentucky Application #437345 and Certificate #372487. Sophia died 16 Apr 1922 and is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co. Illinois.
Biography of William Augustus Orrill
rev2009
by Donald Bedwell
William A. Orrill the oldest son of John D. Orrill and Catherine Bird. He was born in Williamsburg Virginia. Some sources show his birth as late as 1819 but most are in the range of 1811 to 1813. He was a farmer and moved to Madison, Jefferson County Indiana with his parents. He married Lucinda Jane Humphreys in Madison, Jefferson County Indiana on Sept. 8, 1831. Lucinda was born in Garrard Co. Kentucky July 14, 1812 and she was a daughter of Cornelius Thomson Humphreys & Elizabeth Brooks. Service records for William shows that he worked as a mechanic and had dark eyes, gray hair, light complexion and stood 6 feet two inches tall. Census records show him as a farmer and miller. After the birth of their first daughter, Elizabeth Katherine in Jefferson County Indiana in 1832, he left his parents and siblings in Madison and moved his family to Hancock County, Illinois where two more daughters, Lucinda H. was born in 1840 and Henrietta A. was born in 1844 . His first son William H. (Harry) was born about 1846 also in Hancock County, Illinois. William and his family then moved on to Iowa in 1847. In 1848 they are found in Locust Grove Township, Jefferson Co. Iowa where their second son Winfield Sylvester was born on September 26, 1848. In the 1850 census they were in Monroe Township, Mahaska Co. Iowa, where their third son and last child Adonbeck E. (Don), sometimes listed as John E. on some early records, was born May 19, 1850.
William owned and operated a mill just outside of New Sharon, Mahaska County, Iowa. When the Civil War started the Union Army took over the Mill and the town that grew up around this mill became known as Union Mills, Iowa. William enrolled and joined for duty in Company H, 3rd Regiment of the Iowa Infantry on May 31, 1861 in Keokuk Iowa for a period of three years and according to The Davenport Daily Gazette dated 7 June 1861 he found his "long lost brother" (J.G.) Joseph G. Orrill, whom he hasn't seen since May 1841. The following is that article:
The Davenport Daily Gazette
7 June 1861
Davenport, Iowa
An Affecting Scene
The infant belonging to the Mahaska Greys, stationed on Fifth Street, was the means of bringing about a singular coincidence and affecting scene. The Davenport City Artillery Company is quartered in the adjoining building, and have the pleasure of possessing one of the tallest of men in the ranks. His height being 6 feet 4 1/2 inches, they challenged his size against any the Mahaska boys could produce, but when the infant was trotted out, the latter beat him by 1/4 of an inch. Wheeler Chadwick is the name of this towering individual. It seems, however, that Mahaska can brag on tall men generally, and at the moment Chadwick had measured, a private of the same company, named Wm A. Orrill, stepped out and placed himself back to back with the Davenport Champion, saying, that probably he could size him. He did, and turning around to ask his opponent's name, he at once recognized him to be a long lost brother, and whom he had not seen since 1851, when at his wedding at Madison, Indiana. In a moment they were in each other's arms, and their feelings can be imagined better than we can describe them. They had not heard of each other since that separation until at this happy moment. The latter's name is J.(Joseph) G. Orrill a bookbinder by trade, he has worked in this city in Mr. Pearce's bindery, and is well known to a great many of our citizens. He has lately lived in Davenport. Such is life. Here are two brothers, after years of absence, brought together by their eagerness to serve their country. They are Virginians by birth, but of that stock which never proves false to the flag of the country......
William is listed as absent on furlough in the June-Oct. 1861 Muster Rolls. The reason for this furlough must have been due to the fact that his first wife Lucinda Jane was gravely ill. Lucinda died September 12th 1861. Her burial is in the Indianapolis Cemetery in Indianapolis, Monroe Township, Mahaska County, Iowa. During Williams furlough the 3rd Regiment participated in its first engagement at Blue Mills Mo. 9/18/1861. The Nov-Dec Muster Rolls show William as being sick in quarters in St. Louis Missouri. It is known that many men became ill from drinking tainted water from the river, William must have been one of these men. Dec.1861 through Oct. 1862 he is listed as present. On April 6, 1862 William was slightly wounded in the left groin/hip at Pittsburg Landing,/Shiloh . The Regiment fought at Metamora Oct. 5th, 1862 and suffered heavily. William was promoted to Sergeant on 28 Dec. 1862. On the way to join General Grant before Vicksburg, the Third was attacked by guerrillas with the result of fourteen men wounded. The Regiment then participated in the operations at Vicksburg. Williams Regiment then went into battle at Johnson Ms. with 241 men wounded, missing and lost 114 killed. It was noted that on Oct 1863 William was on daily duty as Ordinance Sergeant. The Nov-Dec Muster Rolls shows that he was absent in Iowa Recruiting Service on 21 Nov 1863 by Special Order No. 263 from General McPherson. William reenlisted in Davenport Iowa 27 Feb 1864 to serve three years in Company I, 2nd Regiment. William is shown on detached duty in Louisville, Kentucky since 17 Aug 1864 by order of Secretary of War. William was discharged on 4 Jan 1865 to receive a promotion to 1st Lieutenant and appointment to the 122nd U.S.C.T. ( United States Colored Troops) in Louisville. His name is on Plaque D-126 on the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC , he was included on this memorial because he was a commissioned officer in the 122nd U.S.C.T.
William married Sophia E. Green on 11 July 1865 in Louisville, her maiden name is unknown (she was born in Sweden and previously married to Jacob Green, and she had a daughter from this marriage by the name of Amanda Green). William Mustered-out the next day on 12 July 1865. William then became a policeman in Louisville. William resided at 822 E. Jefferson in Louisville, within a few blocks of his brother John D. Orrill Jr., until his death on 23 June 1875. William's burial is recorded as being in section A, range 10, lot 52 of Eastern Cemetery in Louisville, There isn't a monument on his grave. Sophia filed for a widow's pension 17 July 1890 in Kentucky Application #437345 and Certificate #372487. Sophia died 16 Apr 1922 and is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co. Illinois.
rev2009
by Donald Bedwell
William A. Orrill the oldest son of John D. Orrill and Catherine Bird. He was born in Williamsburg Virginia. Some sources show his birth as late as 1819 but most are in the range of 1811 to 1813. He was a farmer and moved to Madison, Jefferson County Indiana with his parents. He married Lucinda Jane Humphreys in Madison, Jefferson County Indiana on Sept. 8, 1831. Lucinda was born in Garrard Co. Kentucky July 14, 1812 and she was a daughter of Cornelius Thomson Humphreys & Elizabeth Brooks. Service records for William shows that he worked as a mechanic and had dark eyes, gray hair, light complexion and stood 6 feet two inches tall. Census records show him as a farmer and miller. After the birth of their first daughter, Elizabeth Katherine in Jefferson County Indiana in 1832, he left his parents and siblings in Madison and moved his family to Hancock County, Illinois where two more daughters, Lucinda H. was born in 1840 and Henrietta A. was born in 1844 . His first son William H. (Harry) was born about 1846 also in Hancock County, Illinois. William and his family then moved on to Iowa in 1847. In 1848 they are found in Locust Grove Township, Jefferson Co. Iowa where their second son Winfield Sylvester was born on September 26, 1848. In the 1850 census they were in Monroe Township, Mahaska Co. Iowa, where their third son and last child Adonbeck E. (Don), sometimes listed as John E. on some early records, was born May 19, 1850.
William owned and operated a mill just outside of New Sharon, Mahaska County, Iowa. When the Civil War started the Union Army took over the Mill and the town that grew up around this mill became known as Union Mills, Iowa. William enrolled and joined for duty in Company H, 3rd Regiment of the Iowa Infantry on May 31, 1861 in Keokuk Iowa for a period of three years and according to The Davenport Daily Gazette dated 7 June 1861 he found his "long lost brother" (J.G.) Joseph G. Orrill, whom he hasn't seen since May 1841. The following is that article:
The Davenport Daily Gazette
7 June 1861
Davenport, Iowa
An Affecting Scene
The infant belonging to the Mahaska Greys, stationed on Fifth Street, was the means of bringing about a singular coincidence and affecting scene. The Davenport City Artillery Company is quartered in the adjoining building, and have the pleasure of possessing one of the tallest of men in the ranks. His height being 6 feet 4 1/2 inches, they challenged his size against any the Mahaska boys could produce, but when the infant was trotted out, the latter beat him by 1/4 of an inch. Wheeler Chadwick is the name of this towering individual. It seems, however, that Mahaska can brag on tall men generally, and at the moment Chadwick had measured, a private of the same company, named Wm A. Orrill, stepped out and placed himself back to back with the Davenport Champion, saying, that probably he could size him. He did, and turning around to ask his opponent's name, he at once recognized him to be a long lost brother, and whom he had not seen since 1851, when at his wedding at Madison, Indiana. In a moment they were in each other's arms, and their feelings can be imagined better than we can describe them. They had not heard of each other since that separation until at this happy moment. The latter's name is J.(Joseph) G. Orrill a bookbinder by trade, he has worked in this city in Mr. Pearce's bindery, and is well known to a great many of our citizens. He has lately lived in Davenport. Such is life. Here are two brothers, after years of absence, brought together by their eagerness to serve their country. They are Virginians by birth, but of that stock which never proves false to the flag of the country......
William is listed as absent on furlough in the June-Oct. 1861 Muster Rolls. The reason for this furlough must have been due to the fact that his first wife Lucinda Jane was gravely ill. Lucinda died September 12th 1861. Her burial is in the Indianapolis Cemetery in Indianapolis, Monroe Township, Mahaska County, Iowa. During Williams furlough the 3rd Regiment participated in its first engagement at Blue Mills Mo. 9/18/1861. The Nov-Dec Muster Rolls show William as being sick in quarters in St. Louis Missouri. It is known that many men became ill from drinking tainted water from the river, William must have been one of these men. Dec.1861 through Oct. 1862 he is listed as present. On April 6, 1862 William was slightly wounded in the left groin/hip at Pittsburg Landing,/Shiloh . The Regiment fought at Metamora Oct. 5th, 1862 and suffered heavily. William was promoted to Sergeant on 28 Dec. 1862. On the way to join General Grant before Vicksburg, the Third was attacked by guerrillas with the result of fourteen men wounded. The Regiment then participated in the operations at Vicksburg. Williams Regiment then went into battle at Johnson Ms. with 241 men wounded, missing and lost 114 killed. It was noted that on Oct 1863 William was on daily duty as Ordinance Sergeant. The Nov-Dec Muster Rolls shows that he was absent in Iowa Recruiting Service on 21 Nov 1863 by Special Order No. 263 from General McPherson. William reenlisted in Davenport Iowa 27 Feb 1864 to serve three years in Company I, 2nd Regiment. William is shown on detached duty in Louisville, Kentucky since 17 Aug 1864 by order of Secretary of War. William was discharged on 4 Jan 1865 to receive a promotion to 1st Lieutenant and appointment to the 122nd U.S.C.T. ( United States Colored Troops) in Louisville. His name is on Plaque D-126 on the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington DC , he was included on this memorial because he was a commissioned officer in the 122nd U.S.C.T.
William married Sophia E. Green on 11 July 1865 in Louisville, her maiden name is unknown (she was born in Sweden and previously married to Jacob Green, and she had a daughter from this marriage by the name of Amanda Green). William Mustered-out the next day on 12 July 1865. William then became a policeman in Louisville. William resided at 822 E. Jefferson in Louisville, within a few blocks of his brother John D. Orrill Jr., until his death on 23 June 1875. William's burial is recorded as being in section A, range 10, lot 52 of Eastern Cemetery in Louisville, There isn't a monument on his grave. Sophia filed for a widow's pension 17 July 1890 in Kentucky Application #437345 and Certificate #372487. Sophia died 16 Apr 1922 and is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co. Illinois.
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