Scroggs, William H.

SCROGGS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/2/2021 at 20:40:27

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.514

WILLIAM H. SCROGGS
One by one the soldiers of the Civil War are answering to the last roll-call and the ranks are fast becoming decimated but the hearts of the American people will always thrill with the story of those who followed the stars and stripes, and fought in defense of the Union in the darkest hour in the history of our country.
William H. Scroggs, of Indianola, made a splendid military record and has every reason to be proud of the fact that he marched loyally to the front in defense of his country's interests and aided in crushing out the rebellion in the south. In days of peace he has largely given his attention to farming, but is now living retired. He was born in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio, November 24, 1835. His father, Alexander Scroggs, was a native of Ross County, Ohio, and was of Scotch descent. His father, Alexander Scroggs, Sr., served as a soldier of the war of 1812.
The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation and his business affairs were capably conducted, so that he won success. He married Lavinia Rogers, who was born in Highland County, Ohio, and was of Welsh lineage. Her father was an officer of the war of 1812. Both Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Scroggs, Jr., were members of the United Presbyterian Church, and were ear­nest, consistent Christian people. His early political allegiance was given to the Whig party, and when the question of slavery became a paramount issue he advocated the abolition movement and when the Republican Party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery into northern territory he joined its ranks and voted for its candidates. He was a man of sterling integrity who stood high among his neighbors. He died in 1862, at the age of fifty-eight years, while his wife survived until 1885. In the family of this worthy couple were ten children, of whom Thomas and one other died in infancy. The other members of the family are: James, who enlisted as a musician in the Civil War, passed away in 1903. William H., of this review, is the next member of the family. John G. enlisted as a soldier of the Union army on the 19th of Septem­ber, 1861, becoming a member of Company C, Eighty-first Ohio Infantry, and was mustered out at the expiration of his three years term, having been engaged in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and numerous skirmishes. He is now a retired agriculturist of Warrensburg, Missouri. Josephine became the wife of Samuel Lundbeck, of Chillicothe, and after his death wedded Captain W. C. Mallatt, a retired merchant of Warrensburg, Missouri. Alexander R., who follows farming in Independence, Oregon, was a member of the Ohio Home Guards, serving in Kentucky. Mary L., residing in Greenfield, Ohio, is the widow of Captain J. C. Crawford, who commanded Company I of the Eighty-first Volunteer Infantry. Sarah, who was the first wife of Captain Mallatt, is deceased. Elbert E., follows general agricultural pursuits in Warrensburg, Missouri. The family has furnished several ministers to the United Presbyter­ian Church, and their influence has always been on the side of righteousness, truth and justice.
William H. Scroggs as a farm boy early became familiar with the work of the fields. In his early youth he attended the country schools and later pursued his studies in the South Salem (Ohio) Academy, and in the Monmouth (Ill.) College. He also engaged in teaching for five terms in early manhood. He was twenty-five years of age, when on the 19th of September, 1861, he responded to the country's call for aid and joined the ranks of those who were flocking to the standard of the Union from the farms, the counting-houses, the shops and the professions. He became a member of Company C, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and at the expiration of his three years term was mustered out with the rank of first sergeant. He then accepted the captaincy of Company B, of the One Hundred and Eleventh regiment of colored troops, and for meri­torious conduct on the field of battle, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel for the regiment, thus serving until the command was mustered out. He was then retained by General George Thomas to serve on court martial, first at Nashville and afterward at Louisville. General Shafter, later of Spanish war fame, was also a member of the same court. Mr. Scroggs was finally mustered out on the 1st of November 1866, having served for over five years in military duty, during which time he made a splendid record. He was bravo and loyal and inspired his men with much of his own valor. He was present at the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and Athens, Alabama. At Corinth he was wounded by a bullet entering the right arm and coming out at the shoulder. At Athens he was taken prisoner by troops under General M. B. Forrest and was sent to Meridian, Mississippi, where he was held as a prisoner of war from the 24th of September until early December. He was then taken to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, where he was exchanged, after which he rejoined his regiment.
On leaving the military service Mr. Scroggs entered the employ of the government in a civil capacity as superintendent of construction of national cemeteries, and was thus employed until 1867. On leaving the government ser­vice he went to Illinois, settling on a farm in McLean County, where he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1891. In that year he came to Indianola and after looking over the country for a favorable investment he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Lincoln Township. This property now returns to him a good income. He looks after his farming interest but is practically living a retired life.
On the 3d of January, 1867, occurred the marriage of Mr. Scroggs and Miss Harriet Barbour, who was bornin Niagara, New York, in 1840, and was of Welsh lineage in the paternal line and of Scotch-Irish descent in the maternal line. Her father was Robert Barbour, while her mother belonged to the Starke family of which Admiral Starke, of Revolutionary War fame, was also a representative. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Scroggs have been born seven children: Charles R., who follows farming in North Dakota; Alice, the wife of Dr. H. M. Dale, of Los Angeles, California; Richard E., who is a dentist of Indianola; William C., deceased; Edwin, who has also passed away; John H., a carpenter of Des Moines; and Ira, who is deceased.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Scroggs are loyal to their professions as members of the Presbyterian Church, and in the community are highly esteemed. In politics he is a stalwart Republican and he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades as a member of James Randolph Post, G. A. R. Through days of peace he has been as loyal to his country and its welfare as he was in times of war and his interest in local advancement and national progress has always been a salient feature in his career.