Emmett O'Connell

Emmett O’Connell

E Co. 113th Ill. Vol. Inf.

F Co. 113th Ill. Vol. Inf.

   Enlisted Aug. 11, 1862
   Aged 18 years.
   Home of record listed as Barrington, Ill's.
   Mustered In Oct. 1, 1862.
   Mustered Out June 30, 1865 at Camp Hancock in Chicago.
   Final pay and Discharge at Chicago June 25, 1865.

Known Actions;
Vicksburg, Miss.
Chickasaw Bayou, Miss   .Dec. 26, 1862
Arkansas Post, Ark.   Jan. 9, 1863
Forrest's Raid on Memphis. Tenn.

Post war;
   Wholesale Fruit Merchant.
   Joined Elgin GAR Veteran Post #49 Dec. 1, 1885.
   Resided at 110 South Gifford St.
 
   Obit; April 12, 1894 issue of The Elgin Daily News.
   Emmett O'Connell's sickness was of so brief duration that it had not been noted in the press.  He had been "under the weather" for a few days, but nothing was thought very strange about that, and such a thing as a serious termination was not dreamed of.  His Grand Army comrades knew nothing of it.  Mr. O'Connell ate diner as usual Wednesday noon and late in the afternoon complained of feeling sick.  A Physician was summoned, and at once he discovered that nothing could be done.  When some of his comrades called an hour or so before death came he did not know them.  The end was terribly sudden, and has caused much sorrow.
   Mr. O'Connell was born in Columbia county, N.Y., and lived 51 years, 3 months, and 6 days.  For forty years he had lived in Illinois, most of the time in Elgin or vicinity.  His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles O'Connell, reside in Barrington.  He had been in the fruit business here, of late years during the season being a wholesale merchant.  During the past winter he had been an active organizer of the Maccabees.  He had a great many friends.  He possessed the happy faculty of perceiving only the sunny side of things.  He was a man of ready wit--a humorist--and his humor was contagious.  His genereosity was limited only by his means; his observation.  He was ever ready to assist in social gatherings, and the many who have enjoyed his vocal efforts will find it difficult to realize his songs will be heard no more.
   He served with honor in Co. E. 113th Illinois, during the Civil war, and had held office in Veteran post, G.A.R.  A wife and three children, Ida, Nellie, and Charlie, are left to mourn.
   An autopsy by several physicians showed that death was caused by gall stones.  He had long been troubled by this difficulty.
   The funeral will be held on Friday at 1:30 o'clock at the house.  110 South Gifford street, and at 2 at the First Congregational church.  It will be conducted by Rev. J.H. Selden and Rev. A.N. Alcott.  At the grave in Bluff City cemetery Veteran post will have charge of the exercises.

   As recorded on the Elgin Sexton's ledger:  Occupation, Merchant.  Died April 11, 1894, 10:30 pm at 110 S. Gifford St.  Aged 51/3/6.  Cause of death listed as **** of Liver w/ Purpperation of Gall Bladder.  Undertaker retained, S. A. Palmer of Chicago.  Physician, W. C. Bridge.  Permit #5224.

   Buried at Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Ill.