Willett, Edward A.

WILLETT, RODGERS

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes (email)
Date: 11/28/2012 at 12:51:11

1880 History of Poweshiek County Iowa

UNION TOWNSHIP

Page 706-7

WILLETT, EDWARD A.--Born in Mercer county, Illinois, April 7, 1840. He lived with his parents, brothers and sisters at home till the breaking out of the civil war. Enlisted August 16, 1861, in company A, Thirtieth Illinois volunteer infantry, and served in the army of the Union three years and eleven months. He was first in camp at Springfield, then with headquarters at Cairo, Illinois. Did scout duty, being in several engagements in Kentucky and Missouri. After the battle at Donelson, he proceeded to Corinth and lay in siege there till it was evacuated by the Confederates. In the battle of Britain Lane, our hero captured a revolver and shot-gun. He afterward proceeded to La Grange, Holly Springs, Water Valley and Memphis, where he remained some time, then on to Milliken's Bend. Was in the battle of Raymond, Mississippi, then in the battle of Champion's Hill, Mississippi, then to Black River and entered the Siege of Vicksburg, where he remained till its fall. In January, 1864, he re-enlisted as a veteran in the infantry, after a furlough of thirty days. He then entered the Georgia campaign, was in the battles of Ackworth, Kenesaw Mountain, and was in the battle in which Gen. McPherson was killed, July 22, 1864; then again in a battle July 28, 1864. On the 13th of August he was severely wounded in the arm near the shoulder, but the wound did not daunt our brave soldier and in less than sixty days he was again marching with his comrades in arms. He was with Sherman in his great march to the sea, and was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 19, 1865. He married Elizabeth M. Rodgers, December 4, 1865. His children are: Noyes W. (born October 31, 1866), George V. (born November 24, 1869, and died December 29, 1871), Mabel E. (born June 7, 1873), Lydia E. (born October 15, 1875), Edith E. (born April 24, 1879). Our subject moved from Illinois to Malcom, this county, in May, 1867, and engaged in mercantile business till February, 1868, when he moved to his present farm in section 3. His farm is 200 acres, two large orchards of bearing trees, thirty acres devoted to hay, forty acres to oats. He has sixty head of hogs. The farm is excellently located, only two miles west of Montezuma. Much fruit and other products are sold there.