Capt. Henry Newton Patchen (Patchin)

Capt. Henry Newton Patchen (Patchin)

1861 Hampshire Class II Reserve Militia

   Signed the roll Aug. 5, 1861.
   Aged 22 years.

K Co. 52nd Ill. Vol. Inf.

Three Years Service

The Lincoln Regiment

    Enlisted Sept. 6, 1861.
    Mustered In Oct. 25, 1861 as a Cpl. at Camp Lyon in Geneva, Ill's.
   While based at Geneva the regiment was involved in a ration scandal.  The Army QM Dept. was paying .19 per ration and the local contractor was charging .15.  With about 1,200 men over three months the sum was considerable.
   Listed home of record as Hampshire, Ill's.
   Issued a .58 rifled musket.

   Notice: Dec. 12, 1861 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
   The 52d, Col. Wilson's has gone to St. Joseph, Missouri, where they will spend the winter.  Price seems to have frightened Halleck out of the idea of going down the river and so our brave soldiers must be distributed over Missouri to protect a people who will not protect themslves.

   Notice: Dec. 12, 1861 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
   The 52d, Col. Wilson's has gone to St. Joseph, Missouri, where they will spend the winter, Price seems to have frightened Halleck out of the idea of going down the river and so our brave soldiers must be distributed over Missouri to protect a people who will not protect themselves.

   A musket ball clipped the button off his collar at Shiloh.

   Notice: Oct. 22, 1862 issue Elgin's Weekly Gazette.
   The 7th and 52d-Both these regiments were in the fight at Corinth.  The 52d was badly cut up, not so bad however, as some of the others.  Lieut., Col. John S. Wilcox was in command and we learn that he conducted himself with great coolness and bravery.
   The 7th took a hand in when the bayonet charge was made upon the rebels after they had gained the inside of our breastworks.  We do not learn that any of Capt. lawyer's company from this town were wounded.
-Aurora Beacon.

 Re-enlisted Jan. 8, 1864 as a Veteran and paid a $300 Veterans Bounty, then sent home on 30 day's veterans furlough.
   Promoted Capt. Oct. 24, 1864.
   Mustered Out July 6, 1865 in Louisville, Ky.
   Finial payout and discharge at Camp Douglas in Chicago July 12, 1865.

Known actions;
Ft. Donelson, Tenn. Feb. 11, 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, SC            Nov. 24, 1864
Bentonville, NC         March 19, 1865

Post War;
   Moved to Elgin, Ill' in 1866.
   Elgin Registered Voter in 1866.
   Listed on the 1880 Federal Census as a 44 year old Farmer from Ohio, living in Elgin, Ill..
   Joined Elgin GAR Veteran's Post #49 May 20, 1884.
   Elgin Township Highway Commissioner.
   Member in good standing 52nd Ill. Veteran's Association, Sept. 1897 living in Elgin.
 
   Notice; Feb. 9, 1915 issue of The Elgin Daily News.
      Captain H. N. Patchen, 164 DuBois avenue, is critically ill at his home.  It was feared at noon today that he would not survive the day.  The immediate members of his familly were summoned.
      Captaqin Patchen is one of the oldest residents of Elgin township and was a company commander in the 52nd Illinois Infantry during the civil war and resided on his farm west of Elgin, for many years.  He removed to Elgin about fifteen years ago.
      He was for nearly twenty years a member of the Kane count board of supervisors but resigned last spring.  A year ago he suffered with a severe fall and since that time has suffered from spinal trouble and severe pains in the head.  The effects of that accident together with old age, are the principal causes of the present illness.

   As recorded on the Elgin Sexton's ledger:  Occupation, Retired Farmer.  Died Feb. 12, 1915, 10:00 pm at 164 DuBois.  Aged 76/7/23.  Cause of death listed as Chronic **** Nepititus complicated by LaGripp for 4 days.  Undertaker retained, Bunker & Chambers.  Physician, E. A. McCorrnack.  Permit #15332.

   Obit; Feb. 13, 1915 issue of The Elgin Daily News.
      Captain Henry Newton Patchen, one of the best known residents of Kane county, died at his home at 164 Du Bois avenue at 10 o'clock last night after a long illness.  His death resulted from Bright's disease, complicated with injuries received in a fall a year ago.
      Mr. Patchen was known as a progressive farmer, a Civil war veteran and as one of the original enthusiasts for the good roads movement.
      He was born at Madison, O., June 19, 1838, being a son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Patchen.  The family removed to Hampshire when he was eight years of age, making the trip by wagon and settling on aq practically unbroken prairie.  During his boyhood he was inured to all the hardships of a pioneer life and attained his education at a district school, being obliged to walk two miles.
      When the Civil war broke out Mr. Patchen was engaged in farming.  When the call for arms became urgent he quit his work at a clover separatior in the fields and with several others including his two brothers, came to Elgin and enlisted in the 52nd Illinois infantry in which command he served throughout the war.  His conduct as a soldier was such that he was appointed a corporal in Company K, September 6, 1861.  He served three years in Co. K and was promoted for gallant conduct and on December 29, 1863, he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment as a veteran to serve until the close of the war.  He was honorably discharged July 6, 1865.  At this time he was serving as captain of the company in which he had enlisted as a private, havbing attained this rank October 24, 1864.
      During his term of service he participated in the following engagements.
      Fort Donelson, shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Iuka, Hatchi, Dallas, Calhoun Crossroads, Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, Atlanta, Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro, Rome Crossroads, and was with Sherman on his March to the sea NOvember 15 to Decdember 10, 1864.  He was also in the battle of Savannah in the campaign of the Carolinas being present at the battle of Bentonville arriving at Coldsboro and thence at Raleigh and was at Morrisville when Johnson surrendered.
      After the war Captain Patchen and Timothy Silver of this city, a war companion, whent by wagon to Iowa to locate.  They returned to Elgin and Captain Patchen purchased, a fine farm three miles west of this city where he resided until seventeen yeaqrs ago when he removed to Elgin.
      He was for many years highway commissioner of the town of Elgin and while serving in that capacity inaugurated the system of building turnpike roads such as he had seen in the south during the war.  This was the beginning of the good roads movement in the vicinity of Elgin.  He was also town collector of Elgin and repressented Elgin on the board of supervisors for twenty years, resigning last spring on account of poor health.  He was school trustee for many years.
      He became a member of Elgin lodge 117 A.F. and A.M. when twenty two years of age and was one of the oldest members affiliated with that body.  He was also one o of the organizers of Veteran Post No. 49, G.A.R..  In which he took a lively interest and was past commander of that organization.  He was one of the first dairymen of this section and had been a patron of the Borden company for more than 35 years.
      On all occasions and at all times Captain Patchen was a plesant, congenial companlon and by his kindly ways and his good deeds he had won a large circle of close friends.  Twenty years ago he was undoubtedly the best known man in the northern part of Kane county.
      He was married in Elgin on January 1, 1867, to Sarah Elizabeth Buzzell, the daughter of one of the pioneer families of Elgin township, who, with two sons, survive him.  George M. Patchen, who resides on the home farm west of Elgin, and Raymond Patchen of Hammond, Ind. A brother Eugene (Jack) Patchen, of Stoninton, Colo., and a sister, Mrs. John E. Hurd of Hampshire, also survive him.  There are five grandchildren.
      The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the late home, the Rev. C. L. Morgan officiating.  The burial will be under the auspices of the Veteran Post No. 49 G.A.R.  The interment will be at Bluff City cemetery.

   Obit; Feb. 13, 1915 issue of The Elgin Daily Courier.
   Capt. Henry Newton Patchen of Company K, 52d regiment Illinois infantry died at his home, 164 DuBois avenue at 10:15 o'clock last night, after being stricken Sunday night.  He was 76 years old.   Captain Patchen was a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln and the fact that he died on Lincoln's birthday was remarked upon today by both friends and relatives.
   Captain Patchen was born at Madison, Ohio, on June 19, 1838, the son of Charles and laura Barney Patchen.  When only eight years old his parents moved to Hampshire where he lived until he enlistd in the U.S. service as a corporal, Sept. 6, 1861, in Company K, 52nd Illinois Vol. Inf.  Captain John S. Wilcox was captain of the company and Colonel I. G. Wilson was colonel of the regiment.  After three years service he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment as a veteran, Dec. 29, 1863, to serve three years or during the war.  He was promoted to sergeant and to captain of Co. K on Oct. 24, 1864.
   During his service in the Civil war he participated in the battles at Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Iuka, Hatche, Dallas Calhoun, Crossroads, Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, Atlanta, Lovejoy Station, Johnesboro, Rome Crossroads and was with Sherman on the march to the sea Nov. 15 to Dec. 10, 1864.  Later he was in the campaign of the Carolinas, being present at the battle of Bentonville, later arriving at Goldsboro, thence to Raleigh, and was at Morrisville when General Johnson surrendered.  He escaped without being wounded, the nearest being hit was at Shiloh when a bullet clipped his collar button from his shirt.  He was honorable discharged on July 6, 1865.
   After he returned from the war, Captain Patchen and Timothy Silver, also a member of Co. K, went to Iowa with a wagon to locate, but the former, becoming ill, they decided to return to Elgin, where he had since lived.  On New Year's day, 1867, he was married to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Buzelle, by Rev. W.D. Atchison, in Elgin.  In  Addition to Mrs. Patchen, their sons George of Elgin, and Raymond, of Hammond, ind;l and five grandchildren survive.  Captain Patchen's only brother, jack, is seriously ill at Stonington, Colo.  His only sister is Mrs. John Hurd of Hampshire.
   Captain Patchen will be gratefully remembered by teh farmers living west of Elgin, as one of teh first good roads enthusiasts of the township.  Through his efforts the first road grader was brought from Hampshire and with eight teams of horses the beginning was made towards converting the old mud roads into the excellent highways of the present day.
   For twenty years he was township highway commissioner and was assistant supervisor for a number of terms; also school trustee and township collector.  He was always working for the best interests of his neighbors and fellow citizens.
   He was a member of Elgin Lodge No. 117, A.F. & A.M., having affiliated with the lodge before the war.
   The funeral will be held at the home, 164 DuBois avenue, Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the services being in charge of Veteran post of which he was past Commander.  Burial at Bluff city cemetery.

   Buried at Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Ill.