Cpl. Anthony Wiltheis (Wilthier)
From the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Pennsylvania
C Co. 137th Penn. Inf.
Enlisted Aug. 5, 1862 at Lock Haven, Penn.18 year old Shoemaker.
Home of record listed as Clinton County, Penn.
Mustered In Aug. 12, 1862 at Harrisburg, Penn. as a private.
Sent to Hospital at Arlington, Va. and was treated in Gen. Lee's Home, reason and date not listed.
Returned from Hospital May 25, 1863.
Mustered Out June 1, 1863 as a Cpl.
? Co. 7th Penn. Cav.
Mustered In Feb. 24, 1864Mustered Out Sept. 15, 1865 at Macon, Ga.
Finial Pay at Harrisburg, ?.
Known Actions;
March to the Sea
Selma, Ala.
Member Elgin GAR Sam G. Ward Post #18.
Opened a shoe shop, Campbell & Wiltheis.
Congregational Church.
Notice: May 20, 1876 issue The Elgin Advocate.
A. Wiltheis has commenced the erection of a two-story cottage on College street, 30x30 feet, with a wing 12x14 feet.
Notice: Aug. 5, 1876 issue The Elgin Advocate.
The Grand Army Posts in this statee have been renumbered, and hereafter Sam G. Ward Post will be known as No. 11.
From the Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois
5th Sgt. Anthony Wilthies
Co. E 3rd Ill. Nat. Guard
The Elgin National Guard
Enrolled – Aug. 15, 1877Promoted to Capt. and resigned in 1896 due to disabilities.
Excerpt – Sunday July 10, 1898 issue of the Elgin Daily Courier
History of Co., E
Since its Organization
The company was organized on the night of August 15, 1877, through the effort of Capt. Wm Smailes. It was known as the Elgin National Guard. It was armed with .45/70 Trapdoor Springfield rifles. These rifles were all destroyed in a fire along with all the companies dress uniforms at the armory located on Chicago street (date not noted).
Joined Elgin GAR Veteran's Post #49 Dec. 4, 1883.
Republican.
Enlisted as a private in E Co. 3rd Illinois National Guard for service in
the Spanish American War.
E Co. 3rd Ill. National Guard
Promoted Capt.Elgin Town Collector.
Obit: Aug. 15, 1896 issue The Elgin Advocate.
Capt. Anthony Wiltheis, one of Elgin's most honorable and esteemed citizens, breathed his last at 8:30 this morning. His health had been failing fast and the end was expected. He was in an unconsicous condition from 4 o'clock Tuesday up to the time of his death this morning, though he seemed to recognize his family and some of his friends. But his strength soon failed and he passed away at his home.
Capt. Wiltheis had been afflicted more than two years. He sustained several strokes of paralysis and for six months or more had taken no part in active affairs, though he alsays led an energetic life. For some days, though quite unconscious, he seemed to realize that the end was near. His death was very peaceful. Capt. Wiltheis was born in Millheim, Pa., March 5, 1845. His father was a German and his mother an American, born in Pennsylvania. Both parents are dead. His grandfather served in the Mexican war. Capt. Wiltheis had two brothers, William and Charles, who were in the war of the reellion and won honorable records. The latter brother was taken prisoner at Andersonville and was never heard of afterwards.
Anthony Wiltheis was attending school when the war broke out. In the early days of the rebellion his young soul was stirred with the desire to aid in the great struggle, and on July 3, 1862, he offered his services to his country and enlisted in the 137th Pennsylvania Volunteer infantry. His company formed at Harrisburg and left there the same month for Washington where it aided in fortifying and protecting the city against a threatened attack.
Through the Maryland campaign, Capt. Wiltheis was afflicted with a chronic desease and had to be removed to Arlihngton Heights, Washington. He was placed in Gen. Lee's house where he remained until a temporary hospital was fitted up. In about two weeks he was taken with Typhoid fever and his weight was reduced just seventy pounds. His strong constitution overcame the sickness and he recovered.
Feb. 24, 1864, he reenlistd in the 7th Pennsylvania Veteran Cavalry. In March he was ordered for Nashville, and encamped at Fort Negley, Tenn., for which point he joined Gen. Sherman's army at Ringold, Ga., and took part in all the battles and skirmishes until the fall of Atlanta.
Capt. Wiltheis participated in the great raid, which began at Jonesboro. Here they tore up the railroad and burned and destroyed property. After leaving their place they were surrounded by the enemy and were rescued by Gen. Minty's brigade, led by Gen. Kirkpatrick. The regiment was ordered back to Nashville and from there went to Louisville, and into winter quarters at Gravelly Spring, Ala. The men took part in the Wilson Cavalry raid and engaged in the battle of Selma, Ala., which resulted in the capture of Gen. forrest's command, he escaping across the river. Soon the orders came to scout the country and apprehend Jeff Davis. Mr. Wiltheis company was near shen Davis was captured by the 4th Michigan cavalry, and within six hours started with him for Macon, Ga., where he was turned over to government authority and sent of Washington. Sept. 15 the regiment was discharged at Macon and paid off at Harisburg.
In 1866 Capt. Wiltheis moved from Pennsylvania to Wheaton, Ill., where he sered at town clerk. After six years he came to Elgin and had been here ever since, most of the time, until the past few years, engaged in the shoe business.
Aug. 15, 1877, he enlisted as private in Co. E. 3rd regiment, Illinois National Guard, and was appointed sergeant the same month. He passed through the different offices and was elected captain of the guards Aug. 4, 1884, and served in that capacity up to last years, when he retired and was succeeded by Capt. Caughey.
He married Hattie Albert at Lewisburg, Pa., Jan. 31, 1867. She survives, as do three children, Eva, (Mrs. Fred M. Adams), Carrie and Tyra. He was an honored member of a number of organazations, including Monitor lodge, A.F. & A.M., the Grand Army, the National Union, and Knights of the Globe, and in politics was always a republican. In the spring of 1895 he was elected town collector, and through much disabled by paralysis, aided in preforming the duties of the office. For many years he was connected with the First Congregational church, and for 20 years was secretary and treasurer of the Sunday school.
In the death of Capt. Wiltheis, after fifty-one years of active life, Elgin loses one of her best citizens, active and honorable, and true to every conviction which goes to make up an impeachable character.
The funeral will be on Saturday or Sunday.
Buried at Bluff City Cemetery (Lot 60 Section 10 with a private purchase headstone) in Elgin, Ill.
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| Used with permission Dan Mallett |
Members of Post #49 sewed watch faces to their ribbons to show they were from Elgin.
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