Grand Island, Hall County, Nebraska
Louisa Ball was a volunteer Civil War nurse. "Army Nurse" is on her tombstone. In the 1889 and 1890 WRC National and Department Journals, she was on the list of Civil War Army Nurses as a Volunteer. The 1901 WRC Department Journal reported the death of army nurse Louisa Ball of Grand Island. The Grand Island WRC Corps, Lyon No. 19, reported that "one army nurse's grave" was decorated along with those of the veterans on Memorial Day 1907.
The 1889 and 1890 army nurse lists gave her address as 12 N. Green St., Grand Island, Nebraska.
Louisa Ball died September 2, 1890. She is buried in the old GAR section in Grand Island City Cemetery, Grand Island, Nebraska. Joseph Ball (died 1887) is listed as owner of the 10-space plot. A cemetery reading of about 1979 showed just three stones on the plot: Louisa Ball, Sept 2, 1890, 74 years, Army Nurse; Joseph Ball, Co. D, 13th Illinois Cav.; and Sally C. Parker, July 19, 1894, age 76. Considering Louisa's age, Joseph could have been a son.
No further information is known.
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Sources:
- WRC Department Annual Convention Journals: 1890, the 7th annual convention, page 72. 1891, 8th, page 83. 1908 25th, page 54.
- WRC National Annual Convention Journals: 1889 7th, page 137. 1890 8th, page 164.
- Nebraska Adjutant General GAR Civil War Veterans Buried in Nebraska, filmed by the Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln; microfilm: on Joseph Ball.
- Grand Island Cemetery: telephone call.
Fredericka J. (Wortzchmidt/Wurtsmith) Cole (1835-1922)
Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska
Fredericka Cole was a Civil War nurse. In 1912 she was the Department President of the Army Nurses' Association. On at least two occasions, 1915 and 1920, she gave talks on her experience as army nurse at the WRC District conventions in Beatrice.
Fredericka Wortzchmidt or Wurtsmith was born November 18, 1835 in Baumburg, Germany. She came to the US in 1842. She married Gilbert L. Cole on December 4, 1854 at Monroe, Michigan.
They moved to Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin, in 1857. In 1859 they moved to Fremont County, Iowa, living there nearly 20 years, most of the time at Sidney. In 1878 they came to Beatrice, Nebraska when it was a small town. This was not long before their 25th wedding anniversary. Mr. Cole built their home at 809 S 6th Street (now Highway 77 and in the flood plain). The family members were nearly all musicians. Mrs. Cole was the first President of the Beatrice WRC corps, Ralins No. 92, in 1889, and was always active in it. Her name has been variously spelled Fredericka, Fredricka and Frederica.
They had 10 children, nine living: Carson V. born May 1856, Frank W. July 1860, George M., William S. 1863/64, Edward K., Callie B., Nellie W., Alice C., and Josie the youngest born March 1878. So the Coles had two or more small children when she went as a nurse in the Civil War, possibly when he was wounded. They must have had a close relative nearby to care for the children.
Gilbert L. Cole (1829-1910) enlisted August 25, 1862 in Co. E, 29th Iowa Inf., was wounded about 8 months later and transferred to the Invalid Corps, later was 2nd Lt. of A, 124th USCI, discharged November 6, 1865.
He had graduated from the Cincinnati Mechanical Institute in the winter of 1847-48. In Beatrice he was an architect, contractor and builder with the firm of Cole & Conlee. He designed and built the first Opera House. The following year took the contract and built Doane College at Crete. Superintended the erection of the Central School building and the Masonic Temple, and several business houses and residences. Designed and erected the Gage County veterans monument on the court house grounds. Had been on the board of education, board of supervisors, city council, and board of public works at a time when some of the permanent public improvements of the city were being made. Masonic orders, O.E.S., G.A.R., Methodist Church. Published an account of his 1852-1854 trip to Placerville, California. Member of Nebraska State Historical society, the Nebraska Territorial Pioneers association, Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Western Association of Pioneers; the papers he read there are preserved in the records and published proceedings.
This information is given here to illustrate the life of a pioneer builder of a Nebraska town: activities, culture and interests.
Fredericka J. Cole died December 18, 1922. She is buried in Evergreen Home Cemetery, Beatrice, Nebraska.
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Sources:
- WRC Department Annual Convention Journals: 1894 11th, pages 7,11,110. 1912 29th, p. 56. 1916 33rd, p. 97. 1919 36th, p. 11. 1921 38th, p. 106.
- WRC National Annual Convention Journals: 1906, page 222.
- Censuses: 1880 Soundex, 1890, 1900.
- Andreas, A. T, History of the State of Nebraska; 1882, published by the Western Historical Company, Chicago, page 905.
- Obituaries: Beatrice Daily Sun, Gilbert L: August 28, 1910 and a day or so later; Frededericka J: December 19, 1922. Thanks to Catherine McKiddy, PDP, and Lureen Riedesel of the Beatrice Public Library
- Nebraska Adjutant General GAR Civil War Veterans Buried in Nebraska, filmed by the Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln; microfilm: on Gilbert L. Cole.
- Beatrice Cemetery Association: telephone call.
Susan (Bomburger) Cox (1827-1901)
Tecumseh, Johnson County, Nebraska.
Susan Cox was a volunteer Civil War nurse. She was given recognition as an army nurse at the 1888 WRC Department Convention. In the 1889 and 1890 National and Department Journals, she was one of those listed as Army Nurses in Nebraska, having been a Volunteer. She undoubtedly had gone in with her husband.
Susan Bomburger was born January 1, 1826, in Maryland. She married Isaac L. Cox in 1847. They came to Nebraska in 1867, the year it became a state, and settled in Tecumseh.. They had 4 living children: Alphonso C., Sylvia S., Riley V. who was born 1868-69, and David W. born 1873-74. The 1900 census indicates they lived on 2nd street in Tecumseh.
Her husband Isaac L. Cox (1823-after 1900) was in the Civil War 1862 to 1864, in Co. G, 83rd Illinois. He had been in blacksmithing and went before 1882 into the flour, feed, and general groceries business.
At the WRC Department Convention in 1894 Mrs. Cox requested permission to secure signatures for a quilt. Both the GAR and the WRC were interested in particiipating. The proceeds to aid her in paying for her home, and the quilt, when finished, to be presented to the Soldiers' Home at Grand Island.
Susan M. (Bomburger) Cox died October 12, 1901. She is buried in the Tecumseh Cemetery, Tecumseh, Nebraska.
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Sources:
- WRC Department Annual Convention Journals: 1888 5th, page 11. 1890 7th, page 72. 1894 11th, pages 110, 125. 1902 19th, page 26.
- WRC National Annual Convention Journals: 1889 7th, page 137. 1890 8th, page 164.
- Andreas, A. T, History of the State of Nebraska; 1882, published by the Western Historical Company, Chicago, page 1012.
- Censuses: 1880 Soundex. 1900.
- NEGenWeb: Tecumseh Cemetery reading,: Johnson County.
Kate (Keife) Donovan (about 1830 - 1882)
Plattsmouth, Cass County, Nebraska
Kate/Catherine Donovan was an army nurse. She may have been known as "the Matron of the 1st Nebraska" - this was a connection that Dave Wells had made. She undoubtedly went in with her husband. The Plattsmouth WRC, McConnihie No. 50 reported that they decorated "one Hospital Nurses grave" when they decorated the veterans' graves Memorial Day 1888, and again mentioned "one grave of an army nurse" on Memorial Day 1899.
Catherine Keife was a native of the Country Dublin, Ireland. She was born 1829/30, according to the 1850 census. In 1856 she married Edward Donovan "probably in New Orleans or the Chicago area."
Edward Donovan "was among the first to volunteer" enlisting in the 1st Nebraska Infantry. Roster records show: age 28, residence Plattsmouth, enlisted June 11, 1861, mustered in as Private Co. A. Promoted Hospital Steward July 21, 1861, 2nd Lt. Co. K, Oct. 1, 1861, 1st Lt. June 1, 1862, Capt. Co. F, Dec. 25, 1865, mustered out July 1, 1866. Promoted Hospital Steward and trans. to non-commd. staff July 21, 1864. His 1889 biography stated that after the war his regiment was sent to the northwestern frontier and was discharged July 1866 with him a Captain. In 1867 he joined the regular army, 41st Regiment which later consolidated into the 24th, on the northwestern frontier and in Texas. He resigned in 1878 to be an accountant with the Burlington & Missouri River Railway Company in Plattsmouth.
In the fall of 1867 they came to Oreopolis which was one and a half miles from Plattsmouth. In 1878 thay moved the house they had built in Oreopolis, to Plattsmouth. The 1880 census indicates they lived on Fulton St. In 1889 he was described as a true Irish gentleman, and she as a woman of many lovable qualities. Their four children were Robert, Kate (O'Grada) born 1858/59 in Illinois, George born 1861/62, and Flora C. born 1866/67.
Kate / Catherine Donovan died in 1882. It is assumed she was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Plattsmouth, Nebraska, as her husband was.
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Sources:
- WRC Department Annual Convention Journals: 1889 6th, page 43. 1900 17th, page 45.
- Dave Wells
- Census: 1880
- Roster of Nebraska Volunteers from 1861 to 1869: compiled from books, records and documents on file in office of Adjutant General of State, Edgar S. Dudley, compiler, 1888; pages 6, 63.
- Portrait and Biographical Album of Otoe and Cass Counties, 1889, page 1089.
- Nebraska Adjutant General GAR Civil War Veterans Buried in Nebraska, filmed by the Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln; microfilm: on Edward Donovan.
Elizabeth T. Ellenwood (died about 1916-17)
Nebraska
Elizabeth T. Ellenwood of Nebraska was one of the Army Nurse's names given at theMemorial Services at the National WRC Convention in 1917.
No further information is known
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Source:
- WRC National Annual Convention Journal: 1917 35th, page 230.
Nebraska
Mrs. Ellis was one of the army nurses attending the Nebraska Department WRCConvention in 1894.
No further information is known
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Source:
- WRC Department Annual Convention Journal: 1894 11th, page 110.
Elizabeth Ann Ferguson (1843-1924)
Neligh, Antelope County, Nebraska
Elizabeth Ann Ferguson of Neligh, Nebraska was in the Department Journal under "In Memoriam, Army Nurses", and one of the Army Nurses listed in the Memorial Services at the National WRC Convention in 1924.
She was born November 15, 1843 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She had at least one son, George Ferguson. She was President of the Neligh WRC corps, John C. Fremont No. 59, in 1905.
Elizabeth Ann Ferguson died June 20, 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska. She is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Neligh, Nebraska.
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Sources:
- WRC Department Annual Convention Journals: 1925 42nd, page 139.- WRC National Annual Convention Journal: 1924 42nd, page 229.
- NEGenWeb: Antelope County Burials.
- Byer Funeral Home: telephone call.
Sarah D. (Rugg) (Proctor) Gillespie (1834-1896)
Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska
This biography is under construction! Having much data, justice needs to be done to it --from Peru and Brownville and Civil War service in the 1st Nebraska, to the formation of the capitol at Lincoln and its early years, and more. She is the namesake of DUV Tent No.7 of Lincoln and the mother of its first Tent President.
Waitie E. (Polley) (Graham) Gosper (1830-1914)
Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska
Waitie E. Gosper was born October 20, 1830 in New York State. In 1850 she married William Graham, who died twelve years later.
The following year in 1863 she enlisted in the army as a nurse. She was through the siege of the Army of the Potomac. The experiences of the army life always remained dear toher. It was a great delight to her on several occasions to recount her experiences of those days at Grand Army Encampments.
In 1886 she married John J. Gosper of Geneva, Illinois. Four years later they removed toLincoln Nebraska. During more than forty years she was a public spirited citizen, taking special pride in the growth of the city and the knowledge that she had a part in that growth.
She was an active member of the Womens Relief Corps and prominent in the work of St.Paul's Methodist Church of which she was a member in its early days.
During the years in Lincoln, Mrs. Gosper found time for here one favorite pursuit, that of helping the poor. Until her closing years she was ever on the alert for the poor and needy. She never gathered her information second hand but would go in person to the county commissioners for her list. Many times she did neglect social and business obligations for a visit with some family of the poor. She gave much to charity.
In the early 1870s when Lincoln boasted a population of 2,000 people, Mrs. Gosper established a millinery shop that grew as the city grew for twenty-five years. She was also a builder of Lincoln, having built no fewer than five houses. In every instance she gave her own supervision to the work. She was a woman of dominant will and energy.
She passed away at age 84 on February 1, 1914. A son Frank Graham and a niece Mrs.Bell of Lincoln, and a brother Henry Polley of California survived her. She is buried in Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln with other Civil War nurses.
When the North Platte DUV Tent No. 23 organized in 1929, they chose the name Waittie E. Gosper.
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Source:
- Most of this information is taken, almost word for word, from the DUV Department History dated about 1978 by Department Bicentennial Committee.
This biography will be rewritten to incorporate additional information.
Nebraska
Anna Hahn of Nebraska was one of the Army Nurses whose name was given in the Memorial Service at the National WRC Convention in 1912.
No further information is known.
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Source:
- WRC National Annual Convention Journal: 1912 30th, page 236.
Probably Shelton, Buffalo County, Nebraska
Marie Haines was a Civil War Nurse. This information comes from the DUV application of her daughter, Nora Bolling.
In 1945 Nora Haines Bolling joined Betsy Ross Tent No. 1, Omaha, as a Real Daughter. Her father Adam Haines joined Co. K, 75th Indiana. He was a member of the Joe Hooker which was the GAR Post at Shelton, Buffalo County, Nebraska.. Her application also stated that her mother, Marie Butler, was a Civil War nurse.
No further information is known.
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Source:
- Application of Nora Haines Bolling, 1945, Betsy Ross Tent No. 1, Omaha.
Clara / Clarissa (Gear) Hobbs (1829 - 1923)
Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska
Mrs. Hobbs was in the Civil War as a nurse. She was buried with military honors. Her obituary says she was buried with military honors, and as far as her family knew, she was the only woman "who was regularly enlisted in the U. S. army as a soldier." It went on to say "her husband, answered Lincoln's call for troops. Upon his enlistment, Mrs. Hobbs announced that she was going with him. There was no way at that time by which a woman could be employed officially as a nurse in the army, so the colonel of the Twelfth Iowa regiment declared that she could go along only if she became a member of the regiment. She enlisted as a soldier and her name went down on the roster of the regiment."
Emily Clarissa Gear was born December 18, 1829 near Galena, Illinois. This seems to have been her maiden name. It was Clara Gear Hobbs in her obituary, Clarissa Gear Hobbs on the tombstone, .Emily C. Hobbs in the cemetery records. The obituary said that her grandfather had founded Galena, Illinois in 1824, and she often told of "hearing her grandmother tell of sewing buttons on the coats of Washington's soldiers and of helping melt the family pewter into bullets with which to fight the British."
The Regimental Roster record shows that James C.H. Hobbs listed in the 12th Iowa, age 36, residence Joliet, Ill, born Indiana, enlisted Sept. 22, 1861, mustered Oct. 17, 1861, promoted Hospital Steward, discharged April 2, 1862 at St. Louis, Missouri. Mrs. Hobbs' name is not in the Regimental roster, but the impression is that women's names were generally later deleted from soldiers records.
"During the war the Hobbs' small children were left with an aunt in Joliet. Through months of privation and the horrors of the battle front, Mrs. Hobbs served heroically beside her husband. At Smithland [Kentucky] there came a transport bearing the wounded from Fort Donelson. Among the number was a young lieutenant shot through the throat. As his would was being dressed Mrs. Hobbs held the young officer's head. During the painful operation he fainted. Years later this man was sent to congress from the Third district of Iowa, becoming speaker of the house. It was his boast that he had never fainted but once-and then it was in the arms of a woman. He was D. B. Henderson." Fort Henry was captured February 6. The battle of Fort Donelson ended February 16, 1862.
They had 4 children: Harriet, Mrs. G. M. Barnes of Delaware, Ohio, formerly 1318 S 28 St, Omaha, Nebraska; Annie; Mrs. J. F. Woodcock at Garden City, Missouri; Richard G. Hobbs of Springfield, Illinois; and Mrs. Otise Sergeant of Lincoln, Nebraska..
"After the war Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs returned to Andrew [Iowa]. In 1866 Dr. Hobbs became a Methodist preacher, belonging to the Illinois conference and for years afterward upon coming to Omaha was in the Nebraska conference. He died 1900 and was buried from the Hanscom Park Methodist church." He was not a minister of Hanscom Park Methodist church. Mrs. Hobbs then lived almost 20 years with her daughter Mrs. Barnes in Omaha. She was a member of the Hanscom Park Methodist church and was made a permanent member of the Women's Home Missionary Society.
Clara Hobbs died about January 21, 1923. She is buried in a family plot in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska.
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Sources:
- Obituary: Morning World-Herald, Omaha, Jan. 23, 1923. Provided by of Margaret Forsythe, first discovered years ago by Dave Wells. Almost all information comes from this obituary.
- Regimental Roster and History, 12th Iowa. Roster information from Becky Peterson, Denver, 12th Iowa contact person.
Abby / Abbie J. Horton (about 1920 - 1910)
Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska
Abbie J. Horton was a Civil War nurse. Her stone is government issue and reads: Abbie J. Horton, U. S. Army Nurse. A 1933 WRC History lists a monument [stone] "dedicated to a Civil War Nurse." An older mother, she went to nurse her wounded son in the hospital and then continued nursing. She received a pension.
She married Hosea B. Horton (about 1819-1884) on February 14, 1840 at Bellows Falls, Vermont. He first came to Nebraska City about 1858. He was known as a speculator and seemed to have various interests some of which lasted few years; shoemaker by trade, went to the mines, came back, had an interest in the Nebraska City Quartz Mill Company, formed a partnership making boots and shoes to order, engaged in freighting contracts between Salt Lake City and Fort Collins. He was president of the Zetagathian Literary Society in 1862, a radical Republican, delegate to several Republican territorial conventions, a member of the Methodist Church, and a Mason.
Known children were: Edward, who enlisted in the Civil War and was wounded; Charles B. who was in the 2nd CO Cav., in Omaha in 1890, a division sup't of Western Union Telegraph Company when he died October 1906; and a daughter Mrs. James A. Flemming.
Her obituary said son Ed had enlisted in the Civil War, was wounded and taken to Fort Monroe for treatment. When Mrs. Horton learned of this she enlisted as a nurse and cared for him until he was restored to health. She then became a regular nurse and remained in the service until the close of the war, serving without pay. She later was granted a pension, through the efforts of Senator Van Wyck.
Mr. Horton sued for divorce February 1863 stating that she was a non-resident of Otoe County. Whether this was before she came to the state, or after she left to care for their wounded son, is not known. Evidently it was not granted, as they and a 21 year old daughter were on a farm a few miles northwest of Nebraska City in 1870; Mr. Horton had bought a farm in 1869. Mrs. Horton left about 1895 to live with her sons and daughter.
She was regarded as "a wonderfully bright woman, a writer of more than ordinary ability.. Her poetry was really good, and her stories always interesting." "Older readers of The News will well remember her many contributions to this paper." This is from her obituary.
Abby J. Horton died January 28, 1910 in Chicago. She is buried in Wyuka Cemetery, Nebraska City, Nebraska.
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Sources:
- 1933 WRC History.
- Wyuka Cemetery.
- Otoe County Pioneers: a Biographical Dictionary, 1964, by Raymond E. Dale, Part V, pages 1271-72. This work is well referenced. Most information is from this.
- Obituary: Nebraska City News, February 1, 1910, 2 articles, one of which describes her Civil War nursing and pension.
- Wyuka Cemetery , Nebraska City, Nebraska, Internments and Monumental Inscriptions 1855-1957, compiled and edited by Leonard Tomlyn 1957-1960. The above three Nebraska City materials are thanks to Barbara Hegr, Librarian, Morton-James Public Library of Nebraska City,.