Cpl. George A. Smith

Cpl. George A. Smith

     Listed in the 1857 Elgin Directory as a worker in the Woolen Mill living on Dexter.

   Listed in the 1859-1860 Elgin Directory as a Blacksmith boarding at the Chicago House.

       From the 1860 Census #285/2114
Name - George Smith
Aged - 22 Years
Born - Ohio
Home in 1860 - Elgin, Kane Co., Ill.
Occupation - Blacksmith

? Co.        124th Ill. Vol. Inf.

Excelsior Regiment

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

A Co.        141st Ill. Vol. Inf.

100 Days Service

   Mustered In June 16, 1864 at Camp Kane in Elgin, Ill's.
   Home of record listed as Dundee, Ill's.
   Mustered Out Oct. 10, 1864 at Camp Fry in Chicago, Ill.

   Notice: July 6, 1864 issue Elgins Weekly Gazette.
   FROM THE 141ST.-We learn that the 141st, our pet regiment of "hundreddazers,' has gone into camp at Columbus, Ky., but how long they will remain there is with us a mere matter of conjecture.  On their way down to Cairo, over the Illinois Central railroad, the heat was so oppressive that several of the boys fainted away.  There have been two deaths in the regiment since they left Elgin, one, TIMOTHY HAYES, a private in Capt. Herrington's company, drowned while bathing in the Mississippi river, and the other, a Swede whose name we did not learn of Capt. Beech's company of the tremens.  We hope to hear often from our 141st.

   Notice: Aug. 24, 1864 issue Elgins Weekly Gazette.
   FROM THE 141ST,-We learn that our regiment of "hundreddazers," the 141st, are likely to smell gunpowder and see a speck of war.  Gen Paine has been getting up an expedition to clear out Johnsons rebel raiders who lately invaded Illinois and took several steamers loaded with cattle, and the 141st were counted in, and left Columbus on Tuesday last to join Gen. Paine at Paducah.  Large numbers of cattle and supplies have been retaken from the rebels by this expedition, and also many horses and mules of resident rebels.  Late news reports that Gen. Paine has returned to Paduca

Worked in the Motion Room of the Watch Factory.

Pvt. George Smith

Co. E       3rd Ill. Nat. Guard

The Elgin National Guard

Enrolled – Aug. 15, 1877

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).

       From the Post #49 files
Joined Elgin GAR Veteran's Post #49 Aug. 3, 1886.

   Resided at the Old Soldiers Home in Quincy, Ill.

   Death Notice; May 1, 1897 issue of The Elgin Advocate.
   Geo. A. Smith died at noon Wednesday at Sherman hospital where he has been since last Sept.  He was born at Dundee, and was a corporal in Company A, 141st Illinois volunteers.  Up to four years ago he was employed in the motion room of the watch factory.  When taken sick last fall he was here on a furlough from the soldiers home at Quincy.  He leaves no near relatives.  He was about 52 years of age.
   The remains were interred at Dundee.

       From the 1956 Kane Co. Honor Roll
Soldier - Cpl. George Smith
Unit - co. A       124-141 Ill. Inf.
Died - April 27, 1897

Buried at - Dundee Township Cemetery, West.
Location - Block 142, Section 2

Used with permission Dan Mallett

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