Sgt. George Preston

Sgt. George Preston

1861 Elgin Class II Reserve Militia

   Signed the roll July 27, 1861.

1862 Elgin Class II Reserve Militia

   Signed the roll July 7, 1862.

I Co. 127th Ill. Vol. Inf.

Three Years Service

Elgin Sharpshooters

   Mustered In Sept. 5, 1862.
   Listed home of record as Elgin, Ill's.
   Discharged July 11, 1863 as a private.

Known actions;
Chickasaw Bayou, Miss.   Dec. 26, 1862
Arkansas Post, Ark. Jan. 11, 1863
Tuscumbia, Ala.         May 13, 1863
Vicksburg, Miss.         May 19, 1863
Milliken’s Bend, La.    June 13, 1863

Post war;
   Listed on the 1870 Illinois State Census #237/300 as aged 35 years, from New Hampshire, living in Elgin.

   Obit: Aug. 12, 1876 issue The Elgin Advocate.
      At his residence in this city, on Tuesday last, of quick consumption, Mr. George Preston, aged 41 years.
      Deceased came to Elgin from New Hampshire, in 1858, and married the youngest daughter of the late James T. Gifford, the founder of our beautiful city.  On the breaking out of the rebellion Mr. Preston entered the service of his country, in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh regiment, serving faithfully until the close of the war.  After peace had been restored, he returned home, and on the opening of the watch factory, commenced work in the machine shop, and soon afterward became foreman in the train department, a position which he held until some two years ago, when he went to Lancaster, Pa., to accept the position of mechanical superintendent in the watch factory just opened there.  About four or five months ago he was taken with quick consumption, which soon terminated his life.  About four weeks ago he returned to Elgin with his family, with the hope that a change of climate would prove beneficial, but the disease had become too deep-seated, and it was evident that he could not long survive.  Surrounded by a loving and affectionate wife, three children and a host of relatives and warm personal friends, he quietly and peacefully passed from earth.  The funeral was held from the Congregational church on Wednesday afternoon the services being conducted by Rev. C. E. Dickinson, and attended by many friends.  Two members of his old regiment, two members of the Masonic lodge with which he was connected, and two employes from the watch factory, officiated as pall bearers.  He was a kind and affectionate husband, a loving father, and a firm friend, and his death will be mourned by many.

   Buried at Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Ill.