C. T. PROUTY was born in Huron County, Ohio, June 10th, 1836. Dr. Hugh T. Prouty, his father, was a native of New York. He emigrated to Ohio about the year 1826. He was drowned while on an excursion in 1847. The Prouty family are of Irish descent. The grandfather of the present sketch was one of the Irish patriots who, with O'Connell, attempted to free Ireland from the tyrannical rule of Great Britain. Hugh T. Prouty married Margaret Tice, who was a native of Huron county, Ohio. She died in 1840. Four children, two boys and two girls, were born to them, three of whom have survived the parents. Cyrus T. Prouty received a fair education in the schools of his native state, where he remained until 1858, when he came to Carlinville, and taught school two winters and worked on a farm in the summer. In 1861, when the war broke out, he enlisted as a private in Company "A", 32d Regiment Illinois Volunteers, Col. John Logan commanding. The regiment rendezvoused at Camp Butler until February, 1862, when it was ordered to Bird's Point, and from there went to Fort Henry. At the latter place Company "A" was detached and sent to Fort Donaldson, and participated in the fight and capture of that place. The company rejoined the regiment, and engaged in the battles of Shiloh and Pittsburg Landing. In the battle at the latter place Mr. Prouty was bodly wounded, receiving no less than nine wounds in different parts of his body. He was brought to St. Louis and from there home, where he remained some time. He was not entirely convalescent at this time, but went to St. Louis, where he was ordered to the hospital, but he escaped his guards and paid his way down the river to Memphis, where he rejoined his regiment. Afer his arrival in Memphis he was sent to Overton hosptial, where he remained about four weeks, when he was honorably discharged from the service on adcount of general disability occasioned by his wounds.
After his return home he re-engaged in school teaching, and taught a term of six months, after which he tried farming for one year. He was then appointed United States deputy collector, which position he held one year, when he resigned, and engaged in trading and shipping livestock, at which he continued until 1873. In 1871 he also added insurance to his business, and in 1873 was appointed post-master of Carlinvile, which office he still holds.
On the 12th of February, 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss Julia Van Osdale. She is a native of Macoupin county. Four chldren, two boys and two girls, have been born to them.
In politics Mr. Prouty is a republican. He, at an early age, became identified with its principles, and gave his first vote for Salmon P. Chase for Governor of Ohio, and John Sherman for Congress. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and since that time he has been an active and stauch supporter of the principles of the republican party.
As a man Mr. Prouty stands deservedly high in the community where he has long resided. As an officer, holding the onerous and trying position of Postmaster, he is patient, obliging, and courteous to all. As a soldier, he bears upon his person honorable scars received while in the front ranks bravely fighting for his county and the preservation of the Union. It is with pleasure that we here record these few words, and add our mite of praise for a worthy man, an efficient officer, and gallant soldier.