PIERCE COUNTY NEBRASKA CIVIL WAR DATABASE - C

CARR, MARY; Pierce

Sources: 1883 Pensioner (widow)

CASSEY, CHARLES W. (Alias: Charles W. Sears); Plainview

B: About 1844 Ohio D: 22 February 1914 Burial: Evergreen Cemetery; Los

Angeles, California

Illinois 36^th Infantry Company B

Enlistment Date: 12 August 1861 Aurora, Illinois

Discharged: 17 June 1865

Sources: 1890 Veterans Census (Antelope County)

1893 Nebraska Veterans Census

Pension File (Nebraska & California)

Sons of Union Veterans Database

CASTEEL, JAMES ALLEN.; Pierce

B: 7 July 1842 Iowa D: 4 May 1908 Nebraska Burial: Randolph Cemetery;

Randolph, Nebraska

Iowa 25 Infantry Company E - Private

Enlistment Date: 2 August 1862 Burlington, Iowa

Mustered Out: 6 June 1865 Washington, DC

Sources: 1883 Pensioner (injured back)

1890 Veterans Census

1893 Nebraska Veterans Census

Pension File

Sons of Union Veterans Data Base

Pierce County Call; Pierce, Nebraska; 7 May 1908, Page 4

James Casteel Passes Away

O. E. Cagle received news of the death of James A. Casteel at his home in Randolph at 6:30 Monday evening. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon. “Uncle Jimmy”, as he was familiarly called, was formerly a resident of Pierce and in fact was on of the pioneers of this part of the county. He was an old soldier and a good citizen. Of a happy, generous disposition he numbered his friends only by the acquaintances made. All will be pained to hear of his demise.

CHAMBERLAIN, ISAAC; Plainview

B: 27 January 1833 Lincoln, Maine; D: 18 June 1916 Burial: Plainview

Memorial Cemetery; Plainview, Nebraska

Maine 1^st Cavalry Company M - Private

Enlistment Date: 27 February 1862 Lincoln, Maine

Discharge Date: 27 February 1865

Sources: 1890 Veterans Census

1893 Nebraska Veterans Census

Cemetery Records

Sons of Union Veterans Data Base

Plainview Republican; Plainview, Nebraska; 22 June 1916

Another Old Soldier Passes Away

Isaac Chamberlain was born in Lincoln, Maine, January 27, 1833 and died at Plainview, Nebraska, June 18, 1916, aged eighty three years, four months and nineteen days.

Mr. Chamberlain spent the earlier days of his manhood in the state of Maine where he was engaged in farming. In February 1862 he was mustered into the U.S. army, in Company M, First Maine Cavalry, under Captain Brown. He was in the battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. Three horses were shot from under him, then he did detached duty to quartermaster’s department. He was discharged February 27, 1865 and went to Newburg, Maine. In the fall of 1871 he went to Zumbo, Minn.; where he resided until the spring of ’74. In 1874 Mr. Chamberlain started with an ox team and was seven weeks on the way to Pierce, County, Nebraska, where he put a soldier’s filing on a section of land, He built a sod house and lived there but one year, as the drought and grasshoppers took all his crops on which he depended for sustenance for himself and family. He forced to abandon his claim and worked on a steamboat which plied on the Missouri river. After having secured a home and some stock the high waters came and swept away all his possessions.

In 1881 Mr. Chamberlain came back to Plainview, where he suffered the usual hardships prevalent in the west in those days. He was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Colson in 1853, Miss Colson being born in Herman, Me. They were the parents of eight children George and Edwin who died of diphtheria while the father was in the war, Delson of Presho, S.D., Eva Sturgis of Des Moines, Ia., Charles of Ortinville, Minn., Ada Packard of Plainview, Franklin of Joliet, Montana, and Kate who died in infancy.

Eighteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren survive the deceased.

Mrs. Chamberlain died February 8^th, 1886 and on September 23^rd 1903 Mr. Chamberlain was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaret Kirk, who died May 30, 1912.

The last four years of Mr. Chamberlain’s life was spent with his daughter Mrs. Ada Packard, who so kindly cared for him during his illness, which was of eight months duration. He was bed fast seven months, four days but suffered very little pain. He was most patient throughout these long weary days of sickness and so much enjoyed the prayers and hymns of christen friends who often called to see him. He was converted twenty years ago and united with the M.E. church. His last words were: “Blessed Jesus” whom he trusted to go with him thru the valley and the shadow of death.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist church by Rev. Jackson and Rev. Foxworthy after which the body was laid to rest.

CHAPPELL, HENRY S. (H); Pierce

B: February 1840 New York D: 19 June 1903 Forest Lake, Minnesota

Burial: White Bear, Minnesota

New York 122^nd Infantry Company H

Enlistment Date: 2 August 1862

POW on 6 May 1864 at Wilderness, Virginia

Mustered Out: 23 June 1865 Washington, DC

Sources: 1890 Veterans Census

1893 Nebraska Veterans Census

Pension File

Pierce County Call; Pierce, Nebraska; 24 July 1903

An Old Soldier Passed Away

The following was taken from the Forest Lake, Minn., Enterprise, of June 27^th, being received this week by W. W. Quivey from Mrs. H. H. Chappell:

Henry H. Chappell, who lived about two miles south of town on the Will Hopkins farm, died last Friday, June 19^th at his home. Funeral services occurred on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., at the house under the auspices of E. B. Gibbs Post, G. A. R. The sermon was preached by Rev. D. N. MacRea and a quartette from the Presbyterian church sang. The interment was made at White Bear. Comrade Chappell was a member of the G.A.R. Post No. 191, Pierce, Nebr. He was born in Hastings, Oswego Co., N. Y. and enlisted in the union army Aug. 2, 1862, and serviced until June 23, 1865, when he was discharged at Washington D.C. at the close of the war. He was Sergeant of Co. H. 12 regiment of New York infantry. Though they had lived here but a short time the family has made a large circle of friends who sympathize with the widow and three sons who are left to mourn his loss.

CHILVERS, WILLIAM BURNHAM; Pierce

B: 10 October 1835 Terrington, England D: 16 December 1914 Burial:

Prospect View; Pierce, Nebraska

Illinois 95 Infantry Company B - Corporal

Enlistment Date: 9 August 1862 Belvidere, Illinois

Mustered Out: 17 August 1865

Sources: 1890 Veterans Census

1893 Nebraska Veterans Census

Pension File

Sons of Union Veterans Data Base

Pierce County Call; Pierce, Nebraska; Thursday, December 24, 1914

Wm. B. Chilvers Laid Rest

The funeral services of the late Wm. B. Chilvers, who death was chronicled in these columns last week, were held at the home of the deceased last Saturday forenoon. The last sad rites were attended by a large concourse of neighbors and friends, brothers of the Masonic fraternity and comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Preceding the services the Masonic order marched to the house ina body and deposited the “white leathern apron” upon the casket containing all that was mortal of the brother. The room in which the casket rested was a profusion of beautiful floral tributes and designs from relatives, friends, the Congregational Sunday School, private and business institutions and civic societies, who held his memory dear.

The services at the home were conducted by Rev. J. B. Burkhardt assisted by Rev. C. O. Trump. Rev. Burkhardt paid a splendid tribute to the deceased, eulogizing his life and work in fitting and appropriate words. A male quartet, consisting of Messrs. A. L. Brande, L. P. Tonner, C. B. Brande and D. C. Deibler, with Mrs. C. W. Ulrich as accompanist, rendered appropriate music.

At the close of the service the remains were taken to Prospect View cemetery where they were lowered to their last resting place with the burial services of the Masonic order, Deputy Custodian E. J. Rix, of Norfolk, acting as master of ceremonies. The active pall bearers were taken from the Masonic fraternity, members of the G. A. R. acting as an honorary escort.

Wm. Burnham Chilvers was born at Terrington, county of Norfolk, England, on October 19, 1835. He was left an orphan at the age of six years and reared by his grandparents. With his uncle, George Burnham, he came to the United States in October, 1851 and located in Chicago where for three years he served as a carpenter’s apprentice. In those days everything had to be hand made and Mr. Chilvers became very skillful in his profession.

In 1857 he moved to Belvidere, Ill. where he worked at his trade and later became interested with his uncle in the lime and stone business. In the spring of 1861 he took up farming but upon the outbreak of the civil war he disposed of his growing crops and enlisted in Co. B., 95^th Illinois Infantry and served until the close of the war. His service was a remarkable one, having taken part in seventy-five battles. He was color bearer at the siege of Spanish fort and carried the colors over the ramparts during a successful assault at one o’clock in the morning. In this engagement the colors were pierced by bullets in nine places. During the siege of Vicksburg a bullet passed through his cap, making a scalp wound, and this was the only wound he receive during his remarkable career as a soldier. At the close of the war he returned to Belvidere where he resumed his trade. He came to Pierce county in 1871 and erected the first building in Pierce, known as the Geo. D. Hetzel hotel, the lumber being hauled from Sioux City. This was followed by the little school house in 1872 and the first store building for Herman Mewis in 1874. The lumber at that time was hauled from Wisner, the terminus of the nearest railroad. Mr. Chilvers homesteaded at Plainview and also filed on a timber claim on which part of the present town now stands. He put up the first frame house in this part of the state and was the first postmaster of that hamlet, known then as Roseville. He served eight years as County Clerk and Recorder and in 1900 was elected the Clerk of the District Court, serving for twelve years.

Mr. Chilvers was married at Sharon, Wisconsin on October 6, 1872, to Irene Ellen Pilcher, a native of Lancaster, Ohio. Their first daughter, Eliza May was the first white child born in Plainview settlement. She died August 13, 1900 at the age of twenty-six years. She was a member of the first graduating class of Pierce high school and also a graduate of the Plainview normal college. The widow and seven children survive, viz: John P., Alfred W., George W., Frances, Nellie, Chas. H. and Anna.

Deceased served as president of the village board of Pierce for many years and was also a member of the school board at the time of his death, having served in that capacity ever since the organization of the district as a high school. He was a charter member of Pierce Post G. A. R. and also of the Masonic lodges at both Norfolk and Pierce. He was secretary of the latter lodge from its inception, a position he still held upon his death.

CRABTREE, JAMES; Plainview

B: September 1849 Burial: ? Memorial Park, Plainview

Ohio II Battery

Sources: 1893 Nebraska Veterans Census (Plainview)

Last Known Address: Cortland, Nebraska (1906)

CRAIG, LYFORD R.; Pierce

B: January 1845 Illinois D: 30 July 1920 California

Illinois 69^th Infantry Company A

Enlistment Date: 14 June 1862 Sheffield, Illinois

Mustered Out: 6 October 1862 Camp Douglas, Chicago, IL

Illinois 139 Infantry Company H

Enlistment Date: 1 June 1864 Sheffield, Illinois

Mustered Out: 28 October 1864 Peoria, Illinois

Sources: 1890 Veterans Census

1893 Nebraska Veterans Census

Pierce County Call; Pierce, Nebraska; 12 August 1920; Page 10

Death of L. R. Craig

From Mrs. Emma Berg The Call learns of the death of L. R. Craig, a former Pierce business man, who resided at Gardena, California (a suberb (sic) of Los Angeles). His death occurred Saturday, July 30^th, and the funeral services were held on Monday, August 2^nd. Mr. Craig had a position with a shipbuilding firm at Los Angeles. He suffered a stroke of paralysis about two weeks ago.

Mr. Craig for many years was a well-to-do citizen of Piece. He came to Pierce in the early days and invested in Pierce county land and at one time was considered wealthy. For several years he was manager of the Pierce Mill Co. and had the respect and confidence of the farmers and business men of this community. In 1893 through poor political advise he was induced to resign his position as manager of the mill and make the race for County Clerk on the Republican ticket. Although R. A. Tawney had been in office only one term, Mr. Craig put up a game fight for the office and gave his opponent a race for his money.

A few weeks after the campaign he bought out a half interest in the general merchandise store of Geo. Gishpert and this firm did a flourishing business for several years. Later Mr. Gishpert sold out his interest to Mr. Craig and the firm name was known as Craig and Bach. About twelve years ago the firm closed their business here and moved to California. Before entering the shipbuilding yards Mr. Craig had a chicken ranch near Gardena.

Mr. Craig was a man of quiet and unassuming manner but withal a man that made and kept friends. He leaves a wife, a daughter – Mrs. Geo. W. Henzler, of Gardena, and a son, Leo. living at the same place.

CROOK, THOMAS; Plainview

B: 21 June 1845 Poughkeepsie, New York D: 13 August 1914 Foster,

Nebraska Burial: Pleasant View, Plainview

Wisconsin 2^nd Cavalry Company F

Enlistment Date: 22 January 1864 Dodgeville, Wisconsin

Mustered Out: 28 May 1865

Sources: 1890 Veterans Census (Rock County, Nebraska)

1893 Nebraska Veterans Census (Bassett, Nebraska)

Cemetery Record

Sons of Union Veterans Data Base

Pierce County Call; Pierce, Nebraska; 20 October 1914; Page 4

Obituary

Thomas Crook, a pioneer settler of northeast Nebraska, died of heart disease at his home in Foster last Thursday morning, August 13, 1914. Mr. Crook was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., June 21, 1845, where he grew to manhood. In 1872 he moved to Nebraska and homesteaded near the present site of Meadow Grove where he lived up to 1900. In 1903 he moved to Foster where he lived up to the time of his death. He was married to Eliza L. Shields in 1867. Seven children were born to this union. Those living are Mrs. Clara Thompson, of Crookston, Eugene Crook, of Norfolk, Thomas Crook, of Long Pine and Herward Crook, of Foster. Eliza Crook died in April 1899. Mr. Crook was married to Drucilla Serby September 2, 1903. Three children were born to this union, two of whom are living, Leeta and Ruth. The deceased was a kid and loving husband and father and commanded the highest respect of a large circle of friends. Funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church at Foster Friday, August 14^th, conducted by Rev. V. R. Beebe, of Plainview, assisted by R. J. Thomas, of Foster. The church was crowded with relatives and friends and the floral offerings were very beautiful. Interment was made in the new cemetery at Plainview. The bereaved have the sympathy of their numerous friends in the hour of their affliction.