Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 937

WILLIAM POSTEN, of Millville township, Grant county, Wis., has an excellent record as a soldier in the war for the Union, taking part in many of the most famous engagements in which the Army of the Potomac participated. He enlisted Oct. 13, 1861, in Company D, 51st Penn. V.I., and was in active service until mustered out on July27, 1865. His service included the disastrous battle of Fredericksburg and the operations of the 9th Corps under Burnside in the Shenandoah Valley. He fought with his regiment in the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor, and during the siege of Petersburg his command forced a part of the troops who charged the Confederate works, following the famous mine explosion. As is well known their efforts proved disastrous to the Union army, owing to the lack of support to the attacking force. Mr. POSTEN took part in the charge on the Confederate works in front of Petersburg on April 2, 1865, which resulted in the capture of the outer works, and the rapid flight of Lee's army and Jefferson Davis from Petersburg and Richmond, and with his regiment followed Lee to the end at Appomattox.

Mr. POSTEN was born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 9, 1844, a son of Elihu and Elizabeth (ARLINGBURG) POSTEN, also natives of the Keystone State, where the father's death occurred. Subsequently the mother came to Wisconsin and died in Crawford county. This worthy couple were the parents of twelve children, but only three are living at this writing in 1901, while William was the only one in the army during the Civil war.

When hostilities ceased, Mr. POSTEN returned to Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1866 came to Wisconsin, but a year later returned to his native State, where he continued to make his home two years. Since then he has resided uninterruptedly in Grant county, Wis. He was married, Feb. 22, 1873, to Miss Nettie FOSTER, who was born in Millville township, in 1853, a daughter of Simon R FOSTER, and they have become the parents of nine children, four sons and five daughters. Fraternally Mr. POSTEN is an honored member of the G.A.R. Post No. 134, and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of his community.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck