Sgt. William Outhouse

Sgt. William Outhouse

G Co. 141th Ill. Vol. Inf.

100 Days Regiment

   Mustered In June 16, 1864 at Camp Kane in Elgin, Ill's.
   Listed home of record as Geneva, Ill's.

   Notice: July 6, 1864 issue Elgin's 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 Elgin's 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 Paducah.

   Mustered Out Oct. 10, 1864 at Camp Fry in Chicago, Ill's.

Post war;
   Moved to Elgin, Ill. in 1871.
   Listed on the 1870 Illinois State Census #237/248 as aged 28 years living in Campton.
   Owned a Marble Co.
   Joined Elgin GAR Veteran's Post #49 Nov. 3, 1885.
   First Baptist Church.
   Listed on the 1900 Federal Census as a 56 year old Marble Dealer born in Illinois.  He could read and write English.  He lived in Elgin, Ill.

   As recorded on the Elgin Sexton's ledger:  Occupation, Granit Dealer.  Died Feb. 5, 1904, 9:30 pm at his home on 64 Chapel St.  Aged 60/5/21.  Cause of death listed as Cancer of Stomack 1 year, 4 months.  Undertaker retained, Palmer, Lewis, & Norris.  Physician, J. A. Rutlage.  Permit #9542.

   Obit; Feb. 6, 1904 issue of The Elgin Daily News.
   William Outhouse, a much esteemed resident of Elgin, passed away quietly at his home, No. 64 Chapel street last evening at 9:30.  The cause of his death is supposed to have been cancer of the stomach, but an autopsy will be held today to determine.
   The outhouse family figures conspicuously in the history of the old residents of Campton township, Kane county, where Mr. outhouse was born on Aug. 14, 1843.  His parents, James and Elizabeth (Reed) Outhouse, came to this county, from New Brunswick in 1834, settling in Campton township.  Besides the deceased, William, there were six children, Priscilla, Mary Renalwin, Arathusa, Edward and George.  The Outhouse family took active part in the early wars of the countyr and Mr. outhouse was for some time in the service in the Civil war.
   Mr. Outhouse's early life was spent in the country until the war broke out and active service attracted him.  He enlisted in Company G. of the 143rd regiment of Illinois volunteers and went down the Mississippi with that regiment.  while in the service he distinguished himself by his bravery and spirit and was several times commended by his superior officers for his good conduct.
   After he returned from the war he began farming in the county and was occupied in this until 1887 when he started the marble business, in which he has since been successfully engaged.  In '71 he married Miss Hanna Kelly, of Campton, who survives him, and made his home in Elgin.  Four children are left to mourn his loss: three sons, James, David, and Frank; and one daughter, Lizzie.  For over a year he has been a patient sufferer and for some time friends feared that his might not recover.
   The funeral will be held at the house on Chapel street Monday morning at 11 o'clock.  Dr. Kirtley, of the First Baptist church, with which the family has long been connected, will officiate.  Burial at Bluff City cemetery.

   Buried at Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Ill.

Obit lists 143rd Ill.

Used with permission Dan Mallett

Members of Post 49 sewed watch faces to their ribbons to show they were from Elgin.