USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 22
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When the war was over Mr. Thompson returned to his old home in Pennsylvania and began work as a carpenter and builder, which trade he followed until about twelve years ago, when ill health forced his retirement. In 1876 he came to Iowa, settling at Birmingham, and in the spring of 1879 re- moved to Ottumwa, residing at No. 424 North Birch street since that time. He erected here the home which he now occu- pies and which is an attractive and comfortable residence. He has erected many buildings in the city and was closely identified with building operations for a number of years.
On the 23d of December, 1867, Mr. Thompson was married, in West Middlesex, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Elizabeth Farrell, who was born in the city of Newry, County Down, Ireland, July 21, 1844. When two years of age she was brought to America by her parents, Matthew and Elizabeth (Adams) Farrell, who settled in Pennsylvania. Some years afterward they disposed of their property and interests in that state and joined their children in Ottumwa, where both passed away. The father was a blacksmith in his younger years. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were born three children: Effie, the wife of W. P. Doty of Ottawa, Illinois; Jennie, the wife of K. N. Eldridge of Tacoma, Washington ; and William Albert, who is living in Davenport and who married Mabel Myers, of Ot- tumwa. The elder daughter, Mrs. Doty, was a teacher for eight
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years in the public schools of Ottumwa before her marriage. She has two children, Helen and Albert. Mrs. Eldridge was a teacher of music before her marriage. She has one daughter, Elizabeth.
In politics Mr. Thompson has always been a stanch repub- lican, unfaltering in his allegiance to the party and its princi- ples. For fifty-five years he has been a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and has been active in its work. For forty-five years he has held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is a charter member of Clout- man Post, No. 69, G. A. R. He participated in the engagement at Gettysburg and returned to the old battlefield for the fiftieth anniversary of that sanguinary conflict. He arrived at that place on the morning of the second day of the battle and took part in the fighting on that and the succeeding day. His brother-in-law, David Farrell, served for three years in the Tenth Regiment of Pennsylvania Reserves and was on active duty in the three days' fight at Gettysburg. He, too, attended the fiftieth anniversary celebration and met Mr. Thompson there. He was a first lieutenant of Company B, Tenth Penn- sylvania Reserves, and he died two weeks after the anniversary. The semi-centennial celebration of that battle was made a na- tional event, and it was an occasion of great pleasure to Mr. Thompson and others who participated. He greatly enjoyed meeting not only his old comrades but the Confederate troops who were present on the occasion, when the bitterness and strife of war were over and they clasped hands as American brothers. Mr. Thompson has ever been as loyal to his country in days of peace as in times of war, a spirit of patriotism actuating him in all life's relations.
ALBERT E. MCCUE.
Albert E. McCue, now living retired in Ottumwa, is one of the Civil war veterans, having for about three years marched to the martial strains which indicated that the country was in- volved in war. Through days of peace he spent many years upon the road as a traveling salesman and was very popular among his many patrons. His birth occurred in Leesburg, Ohio, February
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21, 1841, his parents being Patrick Kennedy and Charlotte ( Wil- kins) McCue. The father was born in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, in 1802, and the mother's birth occurred in 1812 on the isle of Jersey, off the coast of France. She was brought to the United States when twelve years of age and in Baltimore gave her hand in marriage to Patrick Kennedy McCue, who was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church in that city. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1884, he was the oldest member of the Pittsburgh conference, having devoted fifty-five years of his life to preaching the gospel, and according to the itinerary custom of the Methodist ministry, he and his family removed fifty-five times. In the early days he had a circuit over which he must ride that required eight weeks to make the trip, on which he preached week days as well as the Sabbath. His influence was a potent element for moral progress, and his life was not denied the full harvest nor the aftermath. To him and his wife were born nine children, two of whom passed away in early life, while three sons are yet living: William D., a resi- dent of Cranford, New Jersey; Albert E .; and W. F., living in Denver, Colorado.
On the 22d of August, 1862, Albert E. McCue put aside all business and personal considerations and enrolled among the boys of blue that his native state sent to the front during the Civil war, becoming a member of Company G, Fifty-second Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry under Captain James Taylor Holmes at Rich- mond, Ohio. He was mustered in at Camp Dennison and three years later was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio. He served with the Army of the Cumberland and took part in the battles of Chickahominy, Shepherd's Run, Murfreesboro, Stone River and other important and hotly contested engagements, together with many minor ones. He was with his regiment in all of its military movements until that command reached Marietta.
After the war Mr. McCue returned to Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, where he engaged in clerking, and in 1871 he became identified with business interests of the west, making his home in Ottumwa, where he traveled with a line of dry goods for the firm of Wood, Marsh, Haywood & Company, of Philadelphia. He spent twenty years upon the road as a traveling salesman. For three years he was connected with the First National Bank here and for three years was with the De Witt Bank of De Witt. Nebraska. From 1887 to 1897 his headquarters were in Chi- cago and he traveled in Indiana. 4
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On the 23d of June, 1869, at Kilbourn City, Wisconsin, Mr. McCue was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Dawes, who was born in McConnelsville, Ohio, in 1841, a daughter of Dr. Edward Dawes. Mr. McCue is a member of Cloutman Post, No. 69, G. A. R., and he is today as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the old flag upon southern battle fields. The spirit of patriotism has ever been one of his salient charac- teristics and, like the vast majority of the old soldiers, he never looks upon the stars and stripes without a feeling of pride and a sense of satisfaction that he had a part in preserving it intact without the loss of a single star.
THOMAS R. BICKLEY.
Thomas R. Bickley, deputy oil inspector at Ottumwa, one of the veterans of the Civil war and a highly respected citizen, was born in Newtown, England, October 1, 1844, his parents be- ing William and Nancy (Rogers) Bickley, who were also na- tives of the same country. The mother died in England in 1850, and the following year the father crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Minersville, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in mining and made arrangements for a home for his family. In 1852 he was joined by his four sons and a daughter, while one daughter remained in England. They continued residents of the Keystone state for several years, but in September, 1863, came to Wapello county and established their home on a farm three miles west of Ottumwa. In 1864, however, Mr. Bickley returned to Pennsylvania, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1876. The family numbered nine chil- dren, of whom three died in infancy, while six reached adult age.
Thomas R. Bickley, however, is the only survivor of the fam- ily. In August, 1862, when a youth of but seventeen years, he enlisted at Ashland, Pennsylvania, for service as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry. In less than three weeks he was in active duty at the second battle of Bull Run, one of the hotly contested engage- ments of the war. He also participated in the battle of Antietam and on the 13th of December, of that year, was in the last charge against Mary's Heights at Fredericksburg. In 1863 he partici-
THOMAS R. BICKLEY
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pated in the battle of Chancellorsville, where "Stonewall" Jack- son was killed by a mistaken volley from his own troops. On the 18th of May, 1863, Mr. Bickley was honorably discharged at Harrisburg. In 1864, however, he re-enlisted as a member of Company I, First Iowa Cavalry from Ottumwa, commanded by Dr. D. C. Densmore, of Kirkville, Iowa. With that command he served until February, 1866, and was honorably discharged at Davenport. He then returned to Ottumwa and learned the plasterer's trade, becoming a contractor, in which business he continued for many years, enjoying an extensive and well mer- ited patronage. In 1872 he served one term as assessor, while from 1889 to 1891 and from 1897 to 1899 he was justice of the peace. In 1900 he was given a subordinate position on the pub- lic lands committee of the house of representatives and held this until 1906. His official record is commendable, for at all times he has been faithful to the trust reposed in him and promptness and fidelity have marked the discharge of his duties.
On the 3d of October, 1870, Mr. Bickley was united in mar- riage to Miss Jane Toon, who was born in Leicestershire, Eng- land, October, 23, 1849, and came to America in January, 1869, with her parents, Samuel R. and Mary (Partridge) Toon, who were likewise natives of England. They came with their family to the new world and remained residents of Wapello county until death, being laid to rest in a cemetery at Agency. Mr. and Mrs. Bickley became parents of seven children, six sons and a daughter, but the first five, Henry M., Samuel Lewis, Grace M., Louis R. and Thomas R., have all passed away. Charles Sanders is now a resident of Boise, Idaho. William F., who is living in Seattle, Washington, completes the family. The wife and mother departed this life March 31, 1881, and her death was deeply regretted not only by her immediate family, but also by many friends.
Fraternally Mr. Bickley has been connected with the Masons for forty-four years and for an extended period has held the office of tyler in the local lodge. He is also prominent in Clout- man Post, G. A. R., of which he has been commander and is now quartermaster. Following his return from a trip to the south the Ottumwa Courier of January 10, 1902, printed the following and it is inserted here because it breathes the broad and generous spirit of Mr. Bickley, gives an indication of his ability as a speech maker and shows him to be a most patriotic citizen. The article reads as follows: "Mr. Bickley has a
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memento which he prizes very highly and to which he referred in his address made last evening. It is in the form of a white star from a Confederate flag and was presented to Mr. Bickley last summer by the sister of the Confederate bearer who fell while carrying the flag of which the star was a part. Mr. Bick- ley treasures the memento very highly and has it mounted and framed with the following inscription below it: 'This star, a part of the battle flag of the Thirtieth Confederate Virginia Infantry, was presented to T. R. Bickley, of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, on the battle field of Fredericksburg, Virginia, June 1, 1901, within fif- teen feet of the spot where General Gregg of South Carolina fell, mortally wounded, December 13, 1862. The donor was T. F. Proctor, commander of Maury Camp No. 2, Confederate Veterans, at the request of his wife, Bettie Proctor, whose brother, William F. Jones, was color sergeant of said regiment and fell mortally wounded while charging our lines at Drury's Bluff, May 16, 1864, carrying this flag.'
"Fighting the battle over.
"Mr. Bickley made the following address, which is published at the request of the Post, at last evening's meeting :
'Commander, Comrades and Sons of Veterans: You have asked me to write something to be read to Cloutman Post. I would gladly evade the task, for to me it is a new experience, but my relations with Cloutman Post have been so pleasant, and the "Old Boys" have been so kind, that I can't find it in my heart to say "Nay."
'What I submit pertains to the time that "tried men's souls." One of the hopes I had cherished for years was that some day I might have the pleasure of again seeing a few of the places made historic by the valor of the men of the north and the men of the south. It was my fortune to have received my first "bap- tism of fire" on the sacred soil of Virginia. I had intended going to Fredericksburg on last Decoration Day to witness the unveil- ing of a monument commemorative of the Fifth Corps, erected by the order of and paid for by Major General Butterfield, who commanded said Corps in the battle at that place, but I missed connection. On the first day of June I took advantage of excursion rates from Washington and arrived at Fredericksburg at 4:30 P. M., a distance of seventy miles. I immediately went to the field, following the course of my regiment after entering the town on the 13th day of December, 1862. Quite a number of
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residences have been erected on the field, the city improving in that direction. I was cordially accorded the privilege to pass through cultivated gardens. When on the field one "old timer" asked if I had been there in '62. "Yes." "What part of the line?" I pointed it out. "Why, you were in the hottest of it. We made it warm for you that day." "Yes, hot as hell, but I think we demonstrated to you that the Yankee knew how to die, but I am going today where you Johnnies wouldn't let me go on that day."
'About one hundred and fifty yards from the point where the momentum of our charge was shattered, I arrived at the sunken road, on the edge of which is a story- and-a-half house. The house is occupied by T. F. Proctor, who was a member of the Thirtieth Virginia Confederate Infantry, Company A. The company was raised in Fredericksburg. Said Proctor is employed during the summer months in the National Cemetery. He was at that time commandant of Maury Camp No. 2, Con- federate Veterans.
'In a friendly way we fought the old battle over again. I was surprised to hear the following sentiment. "While we are proud of the military record we made during the Civil war, we recognize now that our defeat was the best possible thing for the south, for the development of its resources, and especially for the improvement of the condition of the poor white man, who was thought less of then the 'nigger.' It was a rich man's war and a poor man's fight."
'I was informed that they had three sons who had marched under the Old Flag during our little fracas with Spain. I remarked that I, too, had a boy in that affair, and I little thought thirty-eight years ago that a boy of mine would be subject to the orders of a Fitz Hugh Lee, and that that Lee would be a corps commander in the United States Army, but I rejoiced in the fact. We became quite chummy.
'After securing a few mementos and just upon leaving, the mother said: "I have something I want to show you." She brought out the battle flag that had been presented to the regi- ment by the ladies of Fredericksburg. It was in ribbons with but one of the thirteen stars left. Handing it to me she said : "My brother carried this flag and fell with it mortally wounded, charging your lines at Drury's Bluff, May 16, 1864." I took it in my hands and gazed at it reverently. I knew that at one time it was to me the emblem of treason, but I could not help regarding
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it as a thing made hallowed by the blood of as brave men as ever followed any flag of any country. I do not know how long I looked at it. My thought was concentrated on that dread past. I silently handed it back to the lady. Then I heard a voice say, "Mother, let us give the gentleman the star." I was thunder- struck. I thought of the brave men dead and living who had followed that bit of silk to victory, defeat, and death. I would not have been more surprised if revolvers had been drawn upon me. The mother, looking upon the grizzled old Confederate, said: "Shall I?" He said, "No! There is but one star on the old flag." She quickly said, "I have one framed, and no one has a better right to this flag than I, and I know this gentleman will appreciate it." He said, "I don't care." So they separated the star from the flag and gave it to me. ( It is with us tonight). I need not say I value it above money or prize. It was cheerfully given to me. A money consideration was not thought of. It would have been sacrilege. The moment seemed to be entirely one of sentiment, but I confess to feeling that I was "spoiling the Egyptians."
'The two following days I spent roaming over the disastrous field, and I took a melancholy satisfaction in living again that terrible time. The enemy's position was practically impregnable. They had five lines of intrenchments on that part of the line we charged. Our attack was a frontal one, and I do not wonder that after that battle our commander-in-chief was referred to as "Butcher Burnside."
'The National Cemetery is enclosed by a stone wall, having an area of thirteen acres, much of it at an angle of forty-five degrees. The terraces are quite numerous. It was established July 15, 1865. There were fifteen thousand two hundred and forty-three interments, twelve thousand seven hundred and seventy of which were unknown, and but two thousand seven hundred and forty- three known. Not a member of my regiment was among the known. My bunk-mate and boyhood friend, a pure, noble minded young man, with whom I touched elbows in that charge, was one of that twelve thousand seven hundred and seventy. Their bones lay bleaching on that field until reverently gathered and interred two and a half years after the battle.
'We hear much of the generals and officers of all wars. Very little is said only in a general way of the man behind the gun. I think every man who suffered and fought with the great leaders helped to bring them fame, and are sharers in their renown.
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Every soldier who fought at Thermopylae helped to make Leonides immortal, helped to make courage and patriotism immortal. Every Union soldier who fought under its leaders helped to make them immortal, and thus helped to fill our history with the names which inspire a nation's pride and patriotism. The bravest and most patriotic thing a man can do is to enter the ranks as a common soldier, animated by patriotism alone. It . is not remarkable that men who have made a profession, men who have been educated in the art and science of warfare, should offer themselves to their country in time of war. That is what they have been looking for, if not praying for. It is no dis- paragement of their virtue and honor to say they have cultivated an ambition for fame, and they hope that in war their genius will manifest itself and the opportunity offer for their achieving distinction, and by gallant deeds rise to high position and envi- able immortality. But no such ambition is held out before the volunteer private-the glittering promise of promotion and fame. With a love of country so great as ever moved the heart of a Washington, or Hamilton, or Lincoln, or Grant, many a lad from the farm, many a red-headed, freckle-faced boy from the district school, many a grimy miner, many a young hustler from the workshop, shouldered his musket in the days of the Civil war and went forth to his death without the hope of fame or the dream of glory, but simply with his mother-taught conviction of duty, and with a purpose of defending the flag of his country and pre- serving this national union. That is the bravest kind of bravery, the most heroic kind of heroism, the most patriotic kind of patriotism.
'Those men of 1861 and 1865 were not the victims of unholy ambition, nor the dupes of ignorance, nor the rash champions of false and vicious sentiments. They went to war, not from a greed of gain, filled with the conqueror's inhuman spirit. They drew their swords, not from hope of dominion, inspired by the deceitful dreams of power. They fought to victory not from pride of opinion, animated with the stubbornness of ancient bigotry. It was love, not anger, that filled the soldier's heart with his magnificent courage. And it was the love of country, the love of liberty, that sent him forth to glorious sacrifice.
'Their work is secure, they did not fight in vain. The world cannot go back of those graves and battlefields. They mark a new advance of humanity in civilization. There can be no redis- cussions of questions that were settled in battle and death; no
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rewelding of shackles there broken; no rewriting of laws and precedents there blotted out in blood; no resurrection of disput- ing issues that were buried with the men who took them for arbit- rament to the cannon's mouth. The country owes a debt of per- petual and eternal gratitude to the memory of the men who saved this republic. Above all other benefactors, their names should be cherished and their deeds extolled. All honor to the men who walked and fought and died in the ranks. Honor this day and forever to the American private soldier, to the volunteers who came from the ranks of the toiling common people to preserve the government of the people.'"
FREDERICK A. TISDALE.
Frederick A. Tisdale is a retired lumberman of Ottumwa, where he has made his home since 1867. He has witnessed changes here as the work of progress and improvement has been carried forward, and at all times has been in thorough sympathy with the progressive element in the citizenship of the county. Iowa claims him as a native son, for his birth occurred in Bloom- field, Davis county, October 8, 1858, his parents being O. D. and Harriet Newell ( Baldwin) Tisdale., The father was born near Watertown, New York, in 1823, and died in Ottumwa in 1891. The mother's birth occurred in Beverly, Ohio, March 20, 1827, and she passed away in Ottumwa, February 10, 1911, when she was almost eighty-four years of age. She was reared in the Buckeye state, but in early womanhood joined a brother in Keo- sauqua, lowa, and there engaged in teaching school. She taught in the academy at Troy, lowa, and was married there to O. D. Tisdale, who was also a teacher. He had followed his profes- sion in Tennessee and afterward came to Iowa. For a time he was proprietor of a store at Troy, but removed to Bloomfield, where he conducted a store through the period of the Civil war. Soon after the close of hostilities between the north and the south he came to Ottumwa, where he opened a general store, but after- ward disposed of all lines save dry goods. At a later period he was proprietor of a hotel and was regarded as one of the most energetic and enterprising business men of the city. At different times he was called to public office, serving as mayor of Ottumwa and also as representative of Davis county in the state legisla-
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ture. He was likewise a member of the board of supervisors of Wapello county. He voted the democratic ticket and through- out the greater part of his life took an active interest in politics, recognizing fully the duties and obligations as well as the priv- ileges of citizenship. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons. In his family were nine children : W. D., who is en- gaged in the practice of law in Ottumwa; E. G., also of this city; Frederick A .; O. D., who is a lumberman of Ottumwa; Harriet B. of Ottumwa; Grace S., the wife of S. G. Pierson, of Denver, Colorado; and three who died in infancy.
Frederick A. Tisdale has been continuously a resident of Ottumwa since 1867. He is a graduate of the high school and for one year was a student in the Ames Agricultural College. For two winter seasons he engaged in teaching in rural schools of this county and then turned his attention to commercial pur- suits, being for eight years connected with the firm of Silberman Brothers, dealers in hides and wool. He then embarked in the lumber business, with which he was associated for twenty years, becoming a member of the firm of Kirk & Tisdale, with which he continued for four years. He was afterward Senior partner of the firm of F. A. Tisdale & Company for three years and was later alone for thirteen years. He has now been out of business for the past five years, having disposed of his lumberyard to his brother on the Ist of January, 1909. He had built up a good trade and his liberal and growing patronage brought to him an increasing annual income, so that in time he acquired a handsome competence that now enables him to put aside further business cares and yet enjoy the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
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