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Residences & events: 1850 Scott Co, IL. Recently orphaned, he was living with cousins,John and Mary Ann Smallwood while siblings, Henry and Sarah were withUncle David Van Gundy. His "adopted" father was a teacher so hereceived a good education. 1862 He enlisted in Co G 18th IL Vol Inf to help in the Civil Wareffort. 9/20/1863 At the Battle of Chickamauga he was taken prisoner,interred at Libby, and released 3 months later from Andersonville. Hewas captured a second time and spent 13 months between Danville andFlorence prisons, during which time he went 3 days and 3 nightswithout food. He was wounded at the Battle of Stone River. Hearrived home on New Years Eve 1864, took sick and was confined to hisbed for the next 8 weeks. 3/12/1865 He received his discharge from the army, having served 3yrs, 7 mo. 1870 Orvil Twp, Logan Co, IL. The census taker again found himliving with the Smallwoods and working on the farm. 1880 Baynton, Tazwell Co, IL was where he was found at census time. Hewas a farm laborer but no children were recorded. Next door neighborswere his in-laws and the Smallwood boys, Theodore and Peter, livednearby. 1885 Craig, Burt Co, NE. He probably moved west with Louisa'sfamily. Family stories were told that he raised the children alone followingLouisa's death. 1900 He still had 2 children at home at census time. 1910 He was living along but daughter, Myrtle Jane, lived nearby. |
| Living w/John & Mary Smallwood in 1850 census. |
| Descendants say this was Louisa's first marriage and no records havebeen found to indicate this was not the first marriage for either ofthem even though both were in their 30s. |
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His obituary said he had been in failing health for some time "but hadbeen up and around each
day and at a late hour Thursday evening wassitting up reading as was his custom. His death
was discovered byneighbors who, noticing the light still burning at 10 o'clock Fridaymorning
went in and found him lying on the couch fully dressed." "The many friends here will sadly miss their old friend, Uncle John,as he wa familiarly called by old and young alike. His cheerfulnessand optimism during a career of devotion and service, pain and sorrow,will be an inspiration to all who knew him, and his memory will berevered by all." The family chose a family member to stand by his graveside everyMemorial Day for years. |