 The
son of Nathan Smith and Eliza (Vanderwerken),
Sgt. William A. Smith was born in Saratoga Co.,
New York on 03 Sep 1842. At the age of six, he
removed to Warren Co., Illinois with his parents
and there he grew to manhood. In 1860 William was listed
as 17 and living in Cold Brook Township with his
family. A year later, when the country was in the
first months of Civil War, he enlisted at Kelly
Twp. on 26 Sep 1861 and served as a private in
Company B of the 59th Illinois Infantry.
According to his enlistment papers he was 5'
10" tall, had brown hair, blue eyes and a
dark complexion. While in this company, he was in
Battle of Pea Ridge, which was a Union victory
essential in securing control of Missouri.
On 03 Oct 1862,
William was discharged on account of disability
at Jackson, Tennessee but after returning home
and regaining his health he re-enlisted. He
joined Co. D of the 139th Illinois on 14 May 1864
for a term of three months and was promoted to
Third Sergeant. He was honorably discharged on 28
1864 but enlisted yet again on 11 Feb 1865.
After the war he
returned to Galesburg, Illinois and in 1867 went
to Pettis Co., Missouri. There he married one
year later, Mary Caroline Gallup and had three
children, the first of which was born in
September of 1869. The following year, he was
listed as a hotel keeper in Smithton and in 1871
began what would become a successful mercantile
business which he operated and in 1880 was listed
as a dry goods merchant.
It appears William
died prior to 1900 when his wife Mary C. is
listed as a widow in the census record with her
youngest son Clarence whose occupation was listed
as the U.S. Army.
If you have a
photo of William or further information to
contribute, please contact Patricia.
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