Alonzo Beaman

My GG-Grandfather was Alonzo Beaman and farmed with his wife Susan and son  
David L in Alliance Precinct, Sec 23. Alonzo also had stepson John P Holmes
who also farmed there, he die 1883 and is buried in Bartley Cemetery.
 There was a stepdaughter named Mili Emma Holmes , who was a teacher listed
 in the 1880 Census, Indianola Precinct.

Ken Bargar

CIVIL WAR VETERAN JAMES WILSON DOLAN

The following taken from "MEMOIRS of Ida Mary Hager Dolan and James Wilson Dolan", written about 1927 by Ida & James Dolan. From the Press of GEM PUBLISHING COMPANY, Los Angeles, California.

James W Dolan was born October 26^th, 1845 in Wexford County, Ireland and came to the United States in about 1850 with his parents and family.

On July 27, 1862, J, W, enlisted at Clinton, Iowa, in Company C of the 18th Iowa Infantry. "On the 6^th of August, 1862, my company and regiment were mustered into the service of the United States for three years or during the war. On the 11^th of August my regiment took the steamer "Henry Clay" on the Mississippi for the South. We reached St. Louis on the 13^th of August, at night, and remained on the boat until the next day; then we marched up thru St. Louis to Benton Barracks. It was our first march--on a hot August day and carrying our knapsack and other belongings was not a very pleasant affair. After remaining in the barracks at St. Louis for a few days, in company with my regiment, I took a freight train west to Sedalia, Missouri. This was not a very pleasant trip, having no seats in the freight cars and hardly standing room and being on the train all night. After arriving at Sedalia the regiment was moved out on the prairie, near the station, where we formed in line and stacked arms.

After a few days at Sedalia, the regiment moved to Springfield, Missouri, where they arrived after a slow march in the hot August weather. Part of the time, I remember, water was scarce on the road and in a few instances we had to get along with water from the ponds, on which there was a pretty thick scum. Arriving at Springfield, my regiment was camped in a large earthern fort known as Fort No. 1, some little distance west of the town. On the 8^th of January, 1863, the Confederate General Mermanduke undertook to capture the town as there was a large quantity of army supplies there at the time. The Union forces being rather limited, it was a question for a time whether Mermaduke would not succeed. My company, with two others, was supporting a piece of artillery and was ordered to a very dangerous place, getting into a lane with a stockade on one side and a cemetery on the other, in which the Confederates were very numerous. All the horses on the gun were shot down and all the gunners were disabled and they did not succeed in discharging the gun at this place at all and it was left in possession of the Confederates. There were a number of officers killed, among whom was my Captain, Wm. R. Blue. Lt. Conway of Company C was badly wounded. The loss on the Union side was very severe here. The battle continued with uncertain results until night, when the Confederates retreated and left Springfield in possession of the Union forces.

In the spring of 1864, my company and regiment being located at Fort Smith, Arkansas, under command of General Steele, we were ordered to take the march towards South Arkansas to assist General Banks, who was then making a campaign on the Red River. After arriving at Camden, Arkansas, my regiment was sent with a few other troops and a train of some two hundred wagons into the country for forage and supplies. This was a distance of about eighteen miles from the base where the main army was stationed. When the train was pretty well loaded, the Confederates, estimated to be in the neighborhood of 10,000 to the Union's forces 1,000 captured the train and also quite a number of the Union men and the loss to the Union side was very heavy. Here at one time I stopped beside a tree to surrender, believing that all of us would be captured, but after resting a little while, crossed a nearby open field and landed in a swamp with some dozen others of the regiment. Here we remained into the night, not desiring to expose ourselves, as the enemy was so numerous in the vicinity. Later I, with my companions, undertook to reach Camden, Where the army was camped. On account of the great number of Confederates in the vicinity and on the roads, we dared not travel on any road, but had to go through the woods and across lots, which was very difficult and it was easy to go astray and get lost. One of the party was able to read the stars and so led us safely to our camp, where we arrived the following morning about sunrise.

This battle was on the 18^th of April, 1864. General Banks having failed with his expedition, let all the Confederates in that part of the country free to attack Steele's army wherever they could be found. General Steele, therefore, proceeded northward to Little Rock. There was one quite severe battle on the way, at the crossing of the Saline River, known as Jenkins ferry.

After reaching Little Rock, my regiment made a forced march on to Fort Smith, at which place they remained until about the close of the war.

During the summer of 1865 I was stationed with my Company Commander, Capt. A. B. Conaway, at Van Buren, Arkansas, the said Commander acting as Commissary and Quartermaster of the post. I was his secretary and assisted in the business of handling the Commissary and Quartermaster supplies, preparing his accounts and final papers at the close of our term of service. I was a non-commissioned officer, most of my term, being mustered out as First Corporal of my company. Enlisting in my sixteenth year, it could hardly be expected that I would attain an official position of much prominence. Near the close of our term of service our Colonel wished to appoint me as Sergt.-Major of the regiment, but Captain Conaway needed me in his office and did not consent.

On the 20^th of July, 1865, I was discharged from the army at Little Rock, Arkansas, and from there proceeded to Davenport, Iowa, where I was mustered out and paid off, having served exactly three years."

On 20 Feb 1871 J. W. filed for homestead near (25 mi from) Crete, in Fillmore county, NE, and also filed homestead papers for an adjoining quarter for his brother William. The town of Exeter was established on the land owned by J. W. and his brother. J. W. and his new wife Ida Hager moved from Exeter to Indianola in 1880. Dolan engaged in banking and real estate while living near Indianola. In October 1904 they moved to Los Angeles, CA where he was very successful in the real estate business. He died in Los Angeles January 30, 1929.

Copyright © 2001 James E Almquest

 

Mathias Kessler was born 20 Mar 1831 in Luxembourg. It is not know when he immigrated to the United States. He died 26 Nov 1896, and is buried at St. Catherines Cemetery in Indianola, NE. He enlisted for duty in the Union Forces of the Civil War as a Private atLaSalle County, Illinois. He was mustered in 27 Aug 1862 and mustered out with his unit on June 6, 1865 at Grand Review, Washington, DC.He served with the 104th Illinois Infantry Regiment, Company "B", Organized Ottawa Illinois on August 27, 1862 Adjutant Gerneral's Office report dated 12 Aug 1887, detailing his period of service and absences. It shows him sick in hospital at Ft Tullahoma, TN during May & June 1863 and also absent sick at Chattanooga, TN, Jan - Feb 1864. In a further report by Record & Pension Office dtd 7 Mar 1896, it shows that he was captured, along with his regiment, at Hartsville, TN, paroled at Murfreesboro, TN 10 Dec 1862. The photo may have been taken at this period when he was at Camp Douglas, near Chicago, IL. In the Spring of 1863, the regiment was exchanged and returned to the war at Brentwood, Tenn. A General Affidavit dtd 23 Jun 1888, states that "in the Fall of 1862, the said Kessler was later(?) sick with something like Rheumatism and sent to field hospital at Jeffersonville, Ind, and afterwards moved over to Louisville, KY, he was again sent to hospital..." The Regiment was engaged in the battles of Hartsville, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Utoy Creek, Jonesboro and Bentonville, besides a great many skirmishes, in which they lost men. They also participated in Sherman's "March to the sea".

 

MCCOOK TRIBUNE  Friday Evening, November 27, 1896 "Death of an Esteemed Citizen M. Kessler, after an illness of a number of weeks with dropsy, passed quietly to his reward about ten o'clock on Thursday night.The diseased was an old and highly esteemed citizen of thiscounty.  He moved to McCook from near Indianola, last summer.  He leaves an aged wife and five children, among the number being Mrs. Charles Lehn of our city. Services will be held in St Patrick's church at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, after which the remains will be taken to Indianola for burial. The children from abroad will arrive here tonight.  The family has much sympathy in this bereavement.  Peace to his ashes.

 

  MCCOOK TRIBUNE DECEMBER 4, 1896  under 'Indianola column' "Mathias Kessler, who formerly resided on a farm near this place, was buried in the Catholic cemetery of Indianola, last Saturday. His remains were met at the Catholic church by a number of relatives and friends of this place, also a delegation of GAR men consisting of Willie Gossard, J.W.Dolan, W.H. Smith, Henry Crabtree, Geo. Bartand, F.S. Hill, who accompanied them to the cemetery, the G.A.R. men acting as pall bearers.  Rev Sproll performed the services at the grave." ALSO; "Nick Kessler came up from Hastings and Ed Kessler from Indianola to attend the funeral services of their father, Saturday morning." ALSO; " Mrs. Kate Jergensmire, who came out from Iowa, last Friday night, to attend the funeral of her father, M. Kessler, departed for home, yesterday morning.

 

 ALSO; "CARD OF THANKS We are most grateful and thankful to all the kind friends and neighbors for the untiring assistance and many acts of good-will shown during the recent illness of M. Kessler.  /s/ Mrs M. Kessler & Mrs. C.F. Lehn."

WILLIAM A McCARTY

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William A McCarty, son of Hayes McCarty and Emeline, was born on 17 Mar 1842 in Jefferson County, New York, died on 28 Jan 1909 in Lebanon, Red Willow County, Nebraska at age 66, and was buried on 30 Jan 1909 in Lebanon (Lebanon City Cemetery), Red Willow County, Nebraska.
William married Antionette Yendis, daughter of Albert and Louisa Yendis , on 7 May 1866. Antionette was born on 24 Sep 1841 in Barnes Corners, Lewis County, New York, died on 16 Aug 1919 in Lebanon, Red Willow County, Nebraska at age 77, and was buried on 17 Aug 1919 in Lebanon (Lebanon City Cemetery), Red Willow County, Nebraska.

Children from this marriage were:

Duane A McCarty was born in Aug 1867 in Michigan, died in 1957 at age 90, and was buried in Lebanon (Lebanon City Cemetery), Red Willow County, Nebraska.

Gertrude H McCarty was born in Feb 1869 in Michigan.

Bert D McCarty was born in Sep 1872 in Iowa, died in 1959 at age 87, and was buried in Lebanon (Lebanon City Cemetery), Red Willow County, Nebraska.

Melvin Arthur McCarty was born on 29 Oct 1874 in Monmouth, Jackson County, Iowa, died on 29 Mar 1931 in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska at age 56, and was buried on 31 Mar 1931 in Lebanon (Lebanon City Cemetery), Red Willow County, Nebraska.

Florrence E McCarty was born on 4 Sep 1876 in Iowa and died in Jan 1979 in Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska at age 102.

Clarence Arthur McCarty was born on 18 Jul 1878 in Monmouth, Jackson County, Iowa, died on 15 Aug 1911 in Lebanon, Red Willow County, Nebraska at age 33, and was buried in Aug 1911 in Lebanon (Lebanon City Cemetery), Red Willow County, Nebraska.

William McCarty moved with his parents to Pinckney, Lewis County, New York where he grew to manhood and enlisted in Company D, 6th Battn Heavy Artillery Regiment New York on 12 September 1862.

Following the war, he married Antoinette (probably) in Pinckney, New York. According to his obituary, they moved to eastern Iowa the same year they married. They were in Monmouth Twp, Jackson County, Iowa by 1870 and moved from Iowa to Grant Twp., Decatur County, Kansas in Oct 1879. They moved to Lebanon, Red Willow County, Nebraska sometime between 1885 and 1990.
William was a farmer most of his life but apparently became a carpenter after moving to Lebanon.

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[Obituary of William A McCarty]

William A McCarty was born in Jefferson County, N. Y. March 17, 1842. He enlisted in Company "M", 3rd Batillion, 5th Regiment, New York Volunteer Heavy Artiller and served four years. Was married to Antionette Yendis May 7, 1866 and they moved to eastern Iowa the same year; while living in Iowa he was converted and made a confession of faith in Christ. In the fall of 1879 they moved to Kansas and settled on a claim south and west of Lebanon, Neb., and he was more or less identified with the building up and developing of that town. There were six children born to Mr. And Mrs. McCarty (four boys and two girls) all of whom are living, two in Lebanon, one in Oberlin Kans., one in Benkelman Neb., one in Denver Colo and one in Holdrege Neb. The children and wife were with him when he quietly passed from earth and its troubles on the morning of Jan. 28, 1909.

The funeral was held in the M. E. Church at Lebanon, conducted by the Rev. Hurlburt, Pastor of the M. E. Church at Wilsonville, Neb., at 2:30 Saturday, Jan. 30th. Six soldiers of the Rebellion and one soldier of the Spanish war acted as Guard of Honor and six other soldiers of the Rebellion as pall bearers. The remains were laid to rest in the Lebanon Cemetery. The beautiful and impressive ceremony of the Grand Army of the Republic being used. Beautiful floral tributes were received from Mrs. C. D. Bickford (sister of the departed) at Washington Iowa, Dr. Davidson and the Eastern Star Lodge at Holdrege and a cut flower pillow and harp from the children.

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He served in the military during the Civil War from 12 Sep 1862 to 26 Jun 1865. It is almost certain that William McCarty, husband of Antionette, served in the Civil War even though he is not listed in the special census of 1890 for living veterans and widows of veterens who served in the Civil War. Another listing made in 1893 does not include William McCarty either. A list of Civil War veterans living in Red Willow County is contained in the book "Trails West to Red Willow County" by Robert Ray. That list does include William A McCarty, with unit/company references that match the following record:

American Civil War Soldiers Record

Name: William A McCarty ,

Enlistment Date: 19 August 1862

Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Side Served: Union

State Served: New York

Unit Numbers: 1350 1350 1349 1349

Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 19 August 1862 at the age of 20

Enlisted in Company D, 6th Battn Heavy Artillery Regiment New York on 12 September 1862.

Transferred Company D, 6th Battn Heavy Artillery Regiment New York on 31 December 1862

Transfered in Company M, 5th Heavy Artillery Regiment New York on 31 December 1862.

Mustered out Company M, 5th Heavy Artillery Regiment New York on 26 June 1865 in Harper's Ferry, WV

The obituary of William A McCarty refers to his Civil War experience and gives military unit numbers that agree with the preceeding data. He was given a military furneral with veterans of the Civil War providing an honor guard.

During the war, his unit was engaged as follows:

Fought at Cedar Creek, VA.

Fought on 30 August 1862 at 2nd Bull Run, VA.

Fought on 13 September 1862 at Harper's Ferry, WV.

Fought on 15 September 1862 at Harper's Ferry, VA.

Fought on 30 May 1864 at Newtown, VA.

Fought on 02 June 1864 at Piedmont, VA.

Fought on 04 June 1864 at Piedmont, VA.

Fought on 05 June 1864 at Piedmont, VA.

Fought on 06 June 1864 at Piedmont, VA.

Fought on 06 June 1864 at Staunton, VA.

Fought on 10 June 1864 at Staunton, VA.

Fought on 12 June 1864 at Harrison Hospital, VA.

Fought on 12 June 1864 at Staunton, VA.

Fought on 15 June 1864 at Lynchburg, VA.

Fought on 16 June 1864 at Lynchburg, VA.

Fought on 17 June 1864 at Lynchburg, VA.

Fought on 18 June 1864 at Lynchburg, VA.

Fought on 19 June 1864 at Lynchburg, VA.

Fought on 20 June 1864 at New Market, VA.

Fought on 21 June 1864 at Salem, VA.

Fought on 23 June 1864 at Lynchburg, VA.

Fought on 26 June 1864 at Lynchburg, VA.

Fought on 27 June 1864 at Salem Church, VA.

Fought on 29 June 1864 at Lynchburg, VA.

Fought on 01 July 1864 at Granby, VA.

Fought on 04 July 1864.

Fought on 04 July 1864 at Bolivar, VA.

Fought on 04 July 1864 at Bolivar, WV.

Fought on 04 July 1864 at Harper's Ferry, VA.

Fought on 04 July 1864 at Harper's Ferry, WV.

Fought on 08 July 1864 at Webster, VA.

Fought on 09 July 1864 at Monocacy, MD.

Fought on 17 July 1864 at Snicker's Gap, VA.

Fought on 18 July 1864 at Snicker's Gap, VA.

Fought on 24 July 1864 at Winchester, VA.

Fought on 25 July 1864 at Martinsburg, WV.

Fought on 25 July 1864 at Winchester, VA.

Fought on 26 July 1864 at Winchester, VA.

Fought on 28 July 1864.

Fought on 30 July 1864.

Fought on 12 August 1864 at Winchester, VA.

Fought on 13 August 1864 at Shepherdstown, WV.

Fought on 21 August 1864 at Charlestown, WV.

Fought on 26 August 1864 at Halltown, VA.

Fought on 30 August 1864.

Fought on 31 August 1864 at Cedar Creek, VA.

Fought on 02 September 1864 at Winchester, VA.

Fought on 03 September 1864 at Berryville, VA.

Fought on 05 September 1864 at Piedmont, VA.

Fought on 11 September 1864 at Winchester, VA.

Fought on 13 September 1864.

Fought on 19 September 1864 at Opequan, VA.

Fought on 19 September 1864 at Winchester, VA.

Fought on 22 September 1864 at Fisher's Hill, VA.

Fought on 23 September 1864 at Fisher's Hill, VA.

Fought on 13 October 1864 at Cedar Creek, VA.

Fought on 15 October 1864.

Fought on 19 October 1864 at Cedar Creek, VA.

Fought on 26 October 1864 at Newtown, VA.

Fought on 15 November 1864 at New Cedar Creek, VA.

Fought on 04 April 1865 at Keys Ford, VA.

Fought on 06 April 1865 at Keys Ford, VA.