Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 263-264

JACOB R. HETTMAN, who has been agent, for many years of the Chicago & North-Western Railroad at Woodman, Grant county, is numbered among the veteran soldiers of the war of the Rebellion. He was born at Baden, Germany, July 25, 1843, a son of Frederick HETTMAN, who immigrated with his family to America, in 1846, and their first home in the New World was in Erie county, N.Y. In June, 1856, ten years later, they came to Wisconsin, locating at Norwalk, Monroe county, where the father died in 1865; the mother survived until May 24, 1900, reaching the age of ninety-three years.

Jacob R. HETTMAN was one of the family of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, ten of whom came to America, the other one having died prior to their immigration. Three sons and three daughters still survive: Charles F., a resident of Columbus, Ohio; Elizabeth, who lives in New Jersey; Catherine, a resident of Minnesota; Jacob R.; Christopher G., of the State of Wisconsin; and Caroline (with whom the mother resided), at Norwalk. Frederick, who was a resident of Minnesota, died March 31, 1901. Three of the brothers served their country in the war of the Rebellion, Charles being, a member of the 164th Regiment, N.Y.V.I., and Frederick of the 3d Wisconsin Cavalry.

Jacob R. HETTMAN enlisted, in December, 1863, at Sparta, in Company G, 19th Wis. V.I., and was mustered into the service soon after, at La Crosse. The 19th was one of Wisconsin's fine regiments, serving in the Army of the Potomac, and taking part in the terrible battles of Grant's command during 1864-65, including the siege of Petersburg. It was the first regiment that entered Richmond after the evacuation; in June, 1865, the regiment was ordered to Fredericksburg, thence to Warrenton, and back to Richmond, where it was mustered out of the service in August, 1865.

At the close of his army service Mr. HETTMAN returned to Norwalk, Wis., and engaged in farming, but in 1872 he removed to Fayette county, Iowa. Two years later he returned to Norwalk, and engaged in the grain business; in 1880 went to Afton, Rock Co., Wis., as agent for the Chicago & North Western Railroad, and in December, 1888, was stationed at Woodman, where he has since remained, having now been in the service of this road continuously for twenty years.

After his return from the seat of war Mr. HETTMAN married Miss Minnie MEYER, daughter of Charles MEYER, and five daughters and two sons have been born of this union.

During his long service in the Civil war Mr. HETTMAN gave good proof of his courage and gallantry, but as years go by he is conscious that he contributed more than he then realized, for, like many of his fellow soldiers, he has never fully recovered from the effects of the forced marches, sleepless nights, poor food, exposure, and the thousand and one ills of a soldier's life. Although not seriously injured at the time, he was obliged to remain in hospital from June until December, 1864, and the insufficiency of the medical staff and appliances contributed to his present condition. He is a member of H. D. Crane Post, G.A.R., of Beloit, Wisconsin.

In politics Mr. HETTMAN is an ardent Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and takes great interest in party matters. Socially, he is a member of the K. of P., Janesville Lodge. Genial, accommodating and efficient, he enjoys the esteem and respect of his fellow townsmen, and is a good representative of the solid men of Wisconsin.




This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck