Capt. William H. Wilcox

Capt. William H. Wilcox

       From the 1850 Census #325/434
Name - William Wilcox
Aged - 14 Years
Born - New York
Home in 1850 - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.

Washington Continental Artillery

 

        From the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois

GCo. G             52nd Ill. Vol. Inft.

Three Years Service

The Lincoln Regiment

   Enlisted as a 1st Lt.
    Mustered in at Camp Lyon in Geneva, Ill's on Nov. 19, 1861.
   Home of record listed as Elgin, Ill's.
   Aged 25 years.
   Wounded in Action at Shiloh.  Shell fragment impacted his sword belt badly bruising his hip.

       Excerpt from Grandfather was a Drummer Boy, diary of Charles Stiles.

   July 27, 1864
      It comes so regularly now, that we expect a tear every night about dark.  The 15th, 16th, and 17th Corps. passed here today on their way to the right wing.  In the 127th Ill. I saw Nelson Merrill and in the 52nd I saw John Adams, Capt. Wilcox, Madison Cole, and Geo. Schoonhoven.  While I write a great light is reflected on the sky and we suppose that Atlanta is burning.  About a half hour ago there was considerable firing on the picket line but it has almost entirely ceased.

   Mustered Out Dec. 18, 1864.
Known Actions;
Fort Donelson, Tenn.      Feb. 17, 1862
Shiloh, Tenn.            April 6, 1862
Iuka, Miss.                    Sept. 19, 1862
Corinth, Miss.             Oct. 3, 1862
Lay’s Ferry, Ga.            May 15, 1863
Resaca, Ga.                   May 13, 1864
Nickajack Creek, Ga  .  July 2, 1864
Jonesboro, Ga.             Aug. 31, 1864
Allatoona Pass, Ga.      Oct. 5, 1864
Decatur, Ga.               Oct. 26, 1864
Rome Cross Roads, Ga. Nov. 10, 1864
Savannah, Ga.              Nov. 23, 1864
Columbia, Ga.              Nov. 24, 1864

       From the Post #49 Files
   Joined Elgin GAR Veteran's Post #49 Aug. 10, 1883.

Member in Good Standing with the 52d Ill. Veterans Organization

        From the 1900 Census
Name - William Wilcox
Aged - 64 Years
Born - New York
Home in 1900 - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Occupation - Real Estate Broker

       Obit: Jan. 6, 1914 issue The Elgin Daily Courier.
.   After being confined to his bed thirteen weeks, Captain Wilcox succumbed at 7 o'clock last night, at his home 304 South street.
   Captain Wilcox was taken ill last August.  His condition rapidly became more serious, and early in October, he was confined to his bed.  It became known several weeks ago that there was little chance for his recovery.
   Captain William H. Wilcox was born in Fultonville, N.Y., January 13, 1836, the youngest son of General Elijah Wilcox.  He came to Elgin with his parents when but six years old.
   After attending the public schools in this vicinity, he completed his education at Lombard University, Galesburg, in 1856.  On January 19, 1857, he was married to Miss Mary A. Green of Galesburg.
   Soon after his marriage, Mr. Wilcox commenced merchandising in Chicago, but closed his concern there and came to Elgin where he embarked in business.  He later removed to Dade County, Mo., and farmed until the breaking out of the civil war.
   August 6, 1861, he enlisted as first lieutenant in Company G, Fifty Second Regiment, I.N.G.  The Regiment reached Fort Donelson soon after the battle and was sent to guard rebel prisoners in Chicago.  Returning to the main army with his command, he was in the battle of Shiloh.  After this battle, Lieutenant Wilcox was promoted to captain, and in this capacity was with the army until it reached Atlanta, Ga., under General Sherman.  He served three years and four months, gbeing mustered out of service at Savanaha, December 18, 1864.
   He returned to Elgin and studied law in the office of his brother, Judge Silvanus Wilcox, being admitted to practice in 1871.  In connection with his law, he dealt extensively in real estate.  He platted and laid out three additions and one subdivision to Elgin.
   He was appointed postmaster of Elgin by President Cleveland, July 2, 1886.  Several years ago, he retired from business.
   His first wife died at Canton, Miss., October 8, 1878, from yellow fever while visiting her mother at that place.  Captain Wilcox married Mrs. Helen E. Green Merriam, November 27, 1879.  She died December 14, 1911.
   Politically Captain Wilcox was an active Democrat.  He joined the First Congregational church thirty years ago.  He was at one time commander and for years an active worker in the local G.A.R. Post.  For many years, he was a member of monitor Lodge, A.F. & A.M.
   He is survived by tow brothers, Edward Sanford Wilcox of this city, and General John S. Wilcox of Los
Angeles, Cal., and five children, Laura G. Williams of Chicago; W.G. Wilcox of Powers Lake, Wis., Mrs. Mae Brown of Onawa, Ia., A. Helen Wilcox of this city and Charles S. Wilcox of Des Moines, Ia.
   The funeral service will be held at the Congregational church of 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, Rev. Charles L. Corgan officiating.  The local post of the G.A.R. will be in charge.  Burial will be at Bluff City cemetery.

   As recorded on the Elgin Sexton's ledger
Died Jan. 5, 1914, 7:00 pm at 304 South St.  Aged 77/11/23.  Cause of death listed as Chronic Myocarditis with Cardiack Dilitation for 5 years.  Undertaker retained, Wait & Ross Co.  Physician, W. S. Brown.  Permit #18661

       From the 1956 Kane Co. Honor Roll
Interred at - Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Ill.
Location - Lot 1, Section 1
Issued a Gov't Headston

Bluff City Cemetery records list date of death as Jan. 5, 1913.

Photo by Diana Gough

Ken Gough in the uniform of the Washington Continental Artillery militia

Used with permission Elgin Area Hist. Soc.

Used with permission Dan Mallett

Many members of Post #49 sewed watch faces to their ribbons to show they were from Elgin.