Saturday, November 19, 2011

Isaac Waite:Husband, Father, Civil War Soldier & Farmer

The other day I introduced you to my Euphemia's.  Euphemia Brooks was married to Isaac C Waite. Isaac and Euphemia had four daughters.   Anna Marie, Mary Etta, Abby Jane and Euphemia.  Isaac was born April 1830  in Napoli, Chenango County, New York.  He is the son of Oliver and Irene Chesebrough (Chesebro) Waite.


Before Isaac was married he had already lost his father.  He married Euphemia on the 23rd of November in 1852 in Otto Township, Cattaraugus County, New York. In 1855 the family is in New Albion, Cattaruagus County, New York but by 1857 they are on the move.  They are found in Spring Valley, Fillmore County, Minnesota   With them is Isaac's younger brother Oliver.

The Civil War begins and on the 8th of November in 1862 Isaac enrolled in Company I of the 1st regiment of Minnesota Mountain Rangers.  This term of service ended on the 1st of December 1863.   He was also enrolled with Company A Hatch's Battalion Minnesota Cavalry on 26th of February 1864.  He was commanded by Capt. D.W. Allen and was honorably discharged at Fort Snelling on the  5th day of June 1866.

While in service Isaac had a variety of ailments but the worst would have been found in his medical file from the Civil War papers.  In 1863 he was riding a mule attached to a provision wagon when the mule fell on his left leg. The knee was bruised badly and he was taken to a hospital 40 miles away where he waited for care for six to seven weeks.  Eventually later in life the Jackson Republic noted that he had an operation on his knee and his leg was amputated.  He was troubled with Ostetis or rotting of the bone and the only way to prevent spreading of the disease was to amputate.

The family stays in Spring Valley for a few more years but by 1870 they are located in Minneota, Jackson County, Minnesota.  In 1875 Isaac and Euphemia not only have their children but also two grandsons (William McQuillan and Arthur McQuillan) living with them as their mother had passed away in 1872.

1876 brings more sad news for the family as their daughter Abby Jane passes away.

In 1880 they also have their daughter Mary Etta and her husband and daughter (the Uptedgrafft family) living with them.

 In 1893 Isaac loses his wife of 40 years.  The local newspaper publishes a resolution about the passing of Euphemia from the Women's Relief Corps (Auxiliary to the Grand Army Republic).  Then in 1897 he loses is youngest daughter.

Isaac continues to live on a farm with his grandson Will McQuillan and eventually passes away on the 14th of September 1905.  At the time of his death his pension was $12.00.  He was buried in the Loon Lake Cemetery in Jackson County, Minnesota.



I wish I could have been a fly on the wall and seen the many things that Isaac saw in his life.  He took a chance and moved his family to places unknown, was a charter member and Deacon of the Loon Lake Baptist Church and had seen so many that he loved pass on before him.  Once again I remember them as I know them!

6 comments:

  1. I received the picture of Isaac Waite from the Jackson County Historical Society located at
    307 North Highway 86, Lakefield, MN 56150. They are on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jackson-County-Historical-Society/125852244168762?sk=wall. They have excellent staff to help you out!!!

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  2. Thanks Dr. Bill!! That will be my next step to try some of the daily themes! Have a great holiday!

    Chris

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  3. Welcome aboard!!!! It is an exciting journey with lots of fellow travelers in the Blog World.

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  4. Hello there! Great blog, and beautiful pictures. Hope you are able to connect with cousins, and enjoy connecting to the blogging community.

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  5. Thanks for the positive comments!! I hope I connect too!!

    Chris

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