Columbia City in Whitley County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Whitley County Civil War Memorial
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, September 22, 2008
1. Whitley County Civil War Memorial Marker
Click on any of the photos to see the exact details of the photos.
( Front / North Side - Memorial )
( Right Edge )
__ Brown - Co _ 187 Ind Reg - Watters Brigade J. Washburn - Co. F 12 Reg. I.V.I. - Co _ 132 Reg. I.V.I. _ N Hughes - Co. E 30 Reg I.V.I. - Enlisted Sept. 24, 1861 - Discharged Jan. 19, 1865 Wm. H. Coylem II - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. - Hospital Steward - 1st Div 14 A.C. Keller Bros - Sargt J. W. 189 Ind. - Mrtly wounded - Intered at Chatanooga - Private In(terment) ------------
( Bricks - Top )
Members 5th Ind. Battery
Light Artillery
Mustered Nov. 22, 1861
( Row One - Bricks )
Capt. Peter - Killed - At Pine Mountain John Sicafoose - July 4, 1864 John E. Kates - 1836-1917 J. C. Wigent - Died Nov. 7, 1895 Daniel Myers - Died Apr. 3, 1912 John Fulerton Adam Malone Wm. D. King - Died Dec. 24, 1861 Fredrick Wampner - 5th Ind. Battery David D. Holm - 5th Ind. Battery Daniel Jones - Died Nov. 2, 1892 George Aker - Died May 21, 1911 Arthur Peabody - 5th Ind. Battery - Died Feb. 4, 1862 W.A.T. Swayze - 5th Ind. Battery - Died Apr. 18, 1874 Peter V. Guesbeck - 5th Ind. Battery - 1835-1925 John Huston - Died At Danville, Ky. - Nov. 1, 1862 Rezin M. Yontz - Co. J 26 Regt. O.V.I. - Died Jan 18, 1885 A.B. Cunningham - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. - 1839-1899
( Row Two
this page online
Simonson - June 16, 1864 - Georgia Jacob Kurtz - Killed at Dallas, Ga. - May 15, 1864 A. Washburn Wm. Plummer - Died Apr. 28, 1889 Sylvester Ruckman - Died Oct 18, 1880 Lieut. D. H. Chandler - 1828-1908 John J. English - Killed at Murfreesboro, Ten. - Dec. 31, 1862 James S. Waters - Killed at Murfreesboro, Ten. - Ded. 31, 1862 Samuel Waters John Markwalder - Co. C. 41 Ohio Inft. - 1814-1869 Elihu Davis - Co. G. 35 Reg. O.V.I. - 1827-1908 Gabriel Swihart - Co. F. 12 Reg. Ind. V.I. - Killed at Dallas, Ga. - May 15, 1864 Alban Bair - 5th Ind. Battery - Co. I 1st Mich. V.I. - Co. M 2 Mich. Cav. William G. Lowman - 5th Ind. Battery - Died Nov. 21, 1887 Omer Gruesbeck W. H. Sellers - Co. B. 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Dec. 10, 1898 J. T. Prickett - 5th Ind. Battery - Died Aug. 2, 1879 Daniel Stiles - Corp. Co. H 144 O.V.I. - Died Mar. 27, 1910 Alexander Hall - 5th Ind. Bat. - Died June 1877
( Row Three -Bricks )
Esrom Schrader - 25 Ind. Battery - I. A. John B. Jones - Co. G 42 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Mar. 3, 1865 Wm. Raudebush - Co. G 128 Reg. I.V.I. O. H. Woodworth - Lieut. Co. B and O.M. 74 Reg I.V.I. - Died Jan 21, 1899 J. W. Plummer - Co. B 74 Reg I.V.I. - 1842-1920 B. F. Hartman - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Apr. 14, 1904 David Mc Near - Co. G 38 Reg. Ill. V.I. - Died at Bowlinggreen, Ky. - Nov. 27, 1862
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, September 22, 2008
2. Front / North Side - - Marker
( Row Four -Bricks )
John E. Kenner - Co. B 13 Reg I.V.I. - Died May 11, 1865 W. W. Kessler - Co. K 55 Reg. O.V.I. - 1844-1918 Edward A. Rowe - Lieut. Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Oct 2, 1863 John Holycross - Co. H 20 Reb. Iowa V.I. - Died June 4, 1909 S. W. Cummins - Co. B 74 I.V.I. - 1845-1907 G. W. Hollinger - 23 Ind. Battery - Died May 25, 1902 I. W. Johnston - 24 Battery I.V. Jasper McNear - Co. B 4 Reg. I.V.I. - Missing at Chickamauga - Sept 19, 1863 Wm. C. More - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Mar 29, 1916 J. M. Maine - 1st Indpt Ohio Battery I.A. - 1841-1921 Andrew Tinkham - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Jan. 25, 1863 R. R. Myers - Co. A 30 Reg. I.V.V.I. H. C. Oman - Co. C 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died June 26, 1901 W. H. Bell - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. S.C. Kerns - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Jan. 11, 1880
( Row Five -Bricks )
J. H. & J. L. Watters - Co. B 44 I.V.I. Henry Hollycross - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Apr 15, 1889
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, September 22, 2008
3. Right / West Side - - Marker
( Right / West Side - Memorial )
( Left Edge )
Geo _ _ _ _ugh - Enlisted Apr. 19, 1861 - Capt. Co. E 17 I.V.I. - Lieut Col. 88 I.V.I. - Died Oct. 28, 1863 in Libby Prison J. E. Serjenni - Mexican War - Co. E 1st Reg I.V.I. - Lieut Co. E I.V.I. - Gar_ Co. B 74 I.V.I. L. B. McDonald - Enlisted April 9, 1861 - Lieut. _ _ _ _ _ I.V.I. - Capt. _ 8 C.S. U.S. V. - Lieut. Col. _ _ Cav. Aaron E. _ _ _ _ _ - Co. B 17 Reg. I.V.I. - _ _ _ ss Brigade - 1845-1919 Edmon Shoemaker - 184 Reg _ _ _ _ - 1845-1914 S. G. Robb_ _ s - Co. E 12 Reg. Va. (?) - Lieut Co. C. - 4 Reg I.V.C.
( Row One - Bricks )
W. H. Pence - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. G.
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, September 22, 2008
4. Back / South Side - - Marker
( Row Two -Bricks )
Wm. A. Pence - Co. B U.S. Reg. - 1878-1913 B. F. Seymour - Co. I 152 Reg. I.V.I. - 1845-1918 J. W. Compton - Co. E. 44 Reg. I.V.V.I. - 1843-1924 Andrew Malone - Co. F 100 Reg. I.V.I. N. Eisaman - Co. H 84 Reg. Pa. V.I. - 1845-1915 Joseph A. Kiser - Co. B 13th Reg. I.V.I. - 1835-1865 - Died at Raleigh, NC. W. A. Withers - Co. C 15 Reg. O.V.I. J. H. Barnes - Co. B 44 Reg. I.V.I. Wm. Hildebrand - Capt. Co. E Reg I.V.I. - Died Mar. 14, 1887 J. E. Webster - Ind. Battery - Killed at Chickamauga E. L. Doriot - Co. F 19 Co. G 64 Reg. O.V.I. R. B. Boyd - Co. B 186 Reg. O.V.I. D. C. Fisher
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, September 22, 2008
5. Left / East Side - - Marker
( Row Three -Bricks )
Jos. Eisaman - Co. E 67 Reg. Pa. V.I. - 1842-1901 S. J. Compton - Lieut. Co. E 44 Reg. I.V.I. A. J. Lippincott - Co. E 44 Ind. Inf. T. C. Riley - Co. D 5 Ind. Cavalry A. E. Hively - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Oct. 18, 1878 A. Hilbert - Co. D 29 Reg. O.V.I. David Engle - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. Solomon Pontzius - Co. H 32 Reg. O.V.V.I. - Died July 25, 1895 A. Keiser - Co. C 4 Reg. O.V.I. W. H. Worden - Co. G 142 Reg. I.V.I. - Died June 7, 1932 H. S. Klinck - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Dec. 10, 1863 Samuel S. Miller - Co. A 94 Reg. O.V.I. - Died Dec. 12, 1906 Frank Smith - Co. K 53 Reg. I.V.I. Henry Souder - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. James Staples - Co. C 27 Reg. O.V.I. - 1838-1912 Judson Palmer - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Nov. 11, 1865
( Row Four -Bricks )
Samuel H. Smith - Co. E 88 Reg. I.V.I. - 1841-1874 J. P. Grace - Co K 88 Reg. I.V.I. - Killed at Bentonville, NC. - Mar. 20, 1865 David A. Klinck - Co. D 47 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Nov. 14, 1862 John Myers - Co. B 53 Pa. V.I. Joseph M. Carver - Co. C 5 Batt. O.V.C. - 1844 - Geo. S. Meely - Co. G 20 Reg. O.V.I. Cadwell W. Tuttle - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. - 1843-1919
Photographed By Coutsey - "Post & Mail" newspaper (old clipping) aprox. Sept. 1985
6. Whitley County Civil War Memorial Marker
From the Whitley County Historical Society, this news clipping documents the changes to this Memorial over the years. The first change came in the early 1900's by adding the second section to assist in adding more names.
Next change occured due to foundation troubles discovered in 1985. At which time the Memorial was dis-assembled and moved to the front Entrance of the Court House on top a heavy duty stronger foundation.
The majority of the parts of this 1896 G.A.R. Civil War Memorial were used in the 1985 rebuilding. The "Infantryman" Statue received a 'loving care' cleaning and replacement at "Parade Rest !"
( Row Five -Bricks )
Caleb S. Stewart - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. A. Y. Swigart - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. - 1823-1904 Jas. Garrison - Co. H 163 Reg. O.V.I. - 1831-1910 Jerry Eisaman - Co. I 11 Reg. Penn. V.I. - 1843- Wm. Chamberlain - Co. I 152 Reg. I.V.I. - Died July 14, 1887 R. W. Ray - Co. F 36 Reg. I.V.I. Samuel Creager - Co. E 44 Reg. I.V.I. - Sept. 25, 1917 Wm. H. Weeks - Co. B 12 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Dec. 23, 1877 Capt. J. Hose - Co. A 107 Reg. O.V.I. - Died Feb. 4, 1907 Jos. Archer - Co. A 64 Reg. O.V.V.I. D. J. Bowman - Co. K. 88 Reg. I.V.I. Henry Brenneman - Co. E 44 Reg. I.V.I. - Died from wound Recd at Battle of Shilo. May 13, 1862 Michael Sickafoose - Co. E 44 Reg. I.V.I. John Sickafoose - Co. I 152 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Dec. 22, 1889 Joel Glazier - Co. B 20 Reg. I.V.I. - Apr. 19, 1925 J. W. Easton - Co. I 49 Reg. O.V.I.
( Back / South Side - Memorial )
( Left Outer Edge )
Joseph Shoemaker -
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, September 22, 2008
7. "Infantryman Statue" at "Parade Rest !"
This 1896 Statue was crafted in Italy to honor all Whitley County Civil War soldiers. The G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) of Whitley County special ordered it to be the cap-stone of their Civil War Memorial.
( Bricks -Top )
Co. E 17 Ind. Reg. - Wilders Brigade - Enlisted Apr. 21, 1861 - Mustered Out Aug. 21, 1865
( Row One -Bricks )
Captain David Garver D. R. Hemmick - 1st Lieut. - Co. E 17 Ind. Regt. - Died Oct. 1, 1911 Lieut. C. J. Ward Lieut. J. T. Dury - Died at Soldier Home Ohio - Sept. 26, 1887 E. B. Beeson - 1st Sargt. - Died Mar. 5, 1899 O. J. Gandy - Sergant J. M. Hartman - Died of wounds recd at Shelbyville, Tenn. - Oct. 7, 1863 M. Whiteman - Last Soldier Killed in Co. E 17 Ind. Reg. - April 20, 1865 L. Hartman - Co. E 17 Ind. Reg. - Died 1920 W. S. Collins - Co. E 17 Ind. Reg. Nicholas Beesack - Corp. Co. E 17 Ind. Reg. - Killed at Noonday, Ga. - June 20, 1864 J. H. Appleton Wm. A. Allen - Co. E 17 Ind. Reg. L. D. Bodley - Co. E 17 Ind Reg.
( Row Two -Bricks )
A. G. Carmine - Killed At Selma, Ala. - Apr. 20, 1865 Wm. Brubaker - Wounded at Thompsons Cove, Ten. - Oct. 3, 1863 Co. E 17 Regt. - Ind. Inf. - 1843-1912 Franklin Freese George E. Elder - Died May 12, 1885 Rev. L. S. Foust - Acting Chaplain Reg. - Killed at Noonday, Ga. - June 20, 1864 S. J. Foust Richard Francis - Killed at Hoovers Gap, Ten. - June 24, 1863 Wm. Grimes - Died July 20, 1863 - From wounds recd at Hoovers Gap, Ten. - June 20, 1863 W. A. Geiger J.
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, September 22, 2008
8. Replica Civil War Cannon - A Few Steps Away
The cannon has muzzle markings indicating manufacture at Fort Pitt Foundry, Pennsylvania in 1861. Clear seams down the sides of the gun indicate this was an ornamental replica. It is unknown if the identification with Fort Pitt indicates the point of origin of the replica or just emulation of guns made there during the war. Fort Pitt produced siege, coast defense, and naval guns during the war.
( Row Three -Bricks )
John Hess - Co. E 17 Ind. I.V.I. - 1842-1911 Reuben Humbarger - Co. E 17 Reg. I.V.I. W. F. Johnson - Killed at Shelbyville, Ten. - Oct. 7, 1863 J. P. Chamberlin - Co I 152 I.V.I. - Died July 29, 1890 Wm. Meineca - Co. E 17 Ind. Reg. Chas W. Coppage - Co. A 17 Reg. I.V.I. R. O. S. Pumphrey - Died Dec. 31, 1868 - from wounds recd. Near Newmarket, Ala. J. E. Plummer M. C. Plummer H. C. Pressler Geo. T. Roley - Died Feb. 21, 1864 William E. Heacy - Co. H 35 Reg. I.V.I. - 1848-1935 F. L. Rhodes - Co. E. 17 Ind Reg. - Died Mar. 25, 1898 D. M. Shoemaker - Died Sept. 30, 1871 David Stough - Killed near Nashville, Ten. - Dec. 18, 1862
( Row Four Bricks )
W. H. Smith - Co. E 17 Ind. Reg. I. W. Shinneman - Co. E 14 Reg. I.V.V.I. Lewis Deems - Co. C 42 I.V.I. - Died May 4, 1898 W. B. Sumney - Killed at Rock Springs, Ga. - Sept. 12, 1863 Joseph Waugh - Co. E 17th Ind. - 1842-1923 David Waugh - Co. E 17 Ind. Reg. - 1840-1918 L. R. Whiteman H. C. Scott - Co. E 17 I.V.I. Oliver Droud - Died Washingon, D. C. - Nov. 4, 1873 C. W. Ramsay J. Bennet - Co E 17 Co. F 100 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Aug.
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, September 22, 2008
9. Whitley County Court House - Marker at front Entrance
Click on the photo to see the full details - including the Civil War Memorial.
( Row Five -Bricks )
John M. Collins - Co. E 44 Reg. I.V.I. - Died in Andersonville Prison James Collins - Co. E 1st Mich. V.I. - Wounded in Second Batle of Bull Run - Died in Hospital at Wash. Wm. H. Cuppy - Capt. Co. E 44 Reg. I.V.I. - Wounded in Battle at Fort Donaldson Feb. 16, 1862 - Died July 15, 1862 Reuben Barnes - Co. K 88 In. Vol. Inf. - 1827-1863 A. Shinneman - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Mar. 1, 1864 Mathias Kenaga - Co. F 100 Ind. Regt. - 1843- S. A. Ruckman - Co. D 32 Reg. O.V.V.I. - Died Mar. 4, 1910 J. Romey - Co. H 74 Reg. O.V.V.I. Ed Geiger - Co. E 17 Reg. I.V.I. Wm. Thompson - Co. B 13 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Oct. 28, 1892 Wm. R. Vanderford - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Mar. 7, 1885 Caleb S. Anderson - Co. I 163 Reg. O.V.I. D. Hallauer - Co. H 152 Reg. I.V.I. M. Fisher - Co. C 29 Reg. O.V.I. - Died July 22, 1894 J. D. Witt - Serg. Co. F 1st Indiana Infantry - Mexican War
( Left / East Side - Memorial )
( Row One -Bricks )
U. H. Clark - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. Adam Yagel - Co. C 30 Reg. I.V.I. G. W. Prugh - Co. K 8 Reg. I.V.I. Joseph Hanson - Co. A 74 Reg. I.V.I. John F. Lawrence - Co. A 120 Reg. O.V.I. J. V. Hiler - Lieut. Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. W. H. Jackson - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. Wm. G. Daly - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Mar. 7, 1877 David Boyd - Co. G 24 Reg. Iowa Vol. Inft. - Died Dec. 19, 1890 David H. Corbin - Co. B 184 Reg. O.V.I. - 1847-1918 H. H. Rice - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. G. W. Sevits - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Mar. 17, 1908
( Row Two -Bricks )
Sam L. Harshbarger - Co. E 30 Reg. I.V.I. - Died in the Army 1864 D. W. Harshbarger - Capt. Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. Simon Harshbarger - Sargt. Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. - 1830-1912 Israel Egolf - Co. C 30 Reg. I.V.I. - Apr. 25, 1924 P. R. Egolph - Co. F 1st Reg. O.V.I. - Jan. 14, 1919 D. D. Glass - Co. D 3 Reg. O.V.C. - Died Mar. 25, 1932 H. H. Lawrence - Co. G 16 Reg. O.V.I. S. A. Jackson - Co. D 129 Reg. I.V.I. S. A. White - Co. I 47 Reg. I.V.I. - 1840-1921 James Huston - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died in Andersonville Prison - Aug. 1862 G. W. Zerbe - Co. H 99 Reg. O.V.I. Fredrick Schoenauer - Co. C 30 Reg. I.V.I. Jno. D. Millard - Co. D 34 Reg. O.V.V.I.
( Row Three -Bricks )
Dennis D. Glass - 61 - 64 - 1843-1932 J. H. Smith - Co. H 48 Reg. I.V.V.I. Samuel Egolf - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. Wesley Staples - Co D 135 Reg. O.V.I. - Died Dec. 16, 1894 H. J. Egolf - Co. C 30 Reg. I.V.I. Henry F. Hebner - Co. K 51 Reg. O.V.I. - Died Mar. 24, 1912 J. J. Sherwood - Drum Maj. 145 Reg. O.N.G. - Died Jan. 29, 1873 L. Bauer - Co. C 55 Reg. O.V.I. - Died Jan. 14, 1897 Adam Fisher - Co. D 35 Reg. I.V.I. - 1845-1923 John Hohl - Co. A 19 Reg. I.V.I. - 11 Ind. Battery - Died Sept. 6, 1911 James S. Bills - Co. B 44 Reg. I.V.V.I. Isaac Maires - Co. I 66 Reg. O.V.I. - Died July 14, 1886 H. N. Hougham - Co. G 46 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Nov. 1873
( Row Four -Bricks )
R. M. Karnes - Co. D 139 Reg. I.V.I. - 1847-1922 J. Hoffer - Co. E 178 Reg. O.V.I. - 1830-1913 S. H. Secrist - Co. B 152 Reg. I.V.I. John H. Plough - Co. F 100 Reg. I.V. I. - Died June 1, 1899 Urias Hosler - Co I 76 Reg. O.V.I. - Died Jan. 18, 1912 J. C. Bodley - Maj. 88 Reg. I.V.I. - Died May 19, 1863 Capt. J. A. Spear - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Jan. 21, 1866 E. B. North - Co. G 95 Reg. O.V.I. - 1838-1918 Daniel Pressler - Co. K 88 Reg. I.V.I. Wm. R. Huston - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died at Bowling Green, Ky. - Nov. 7, 1862 C. L. Seymour - Co. C 34 Reg. I.V.I. John H. Griffin - Co. E 38 Reg. O.V.I. J.A. Shoemaker - Co. B 74 I.V.I. J. S. Palmer - Co. B 13 I.V.I.
( Row Five -Bricks )
G. W. Karnes - Co. E 44 Reg. I.V.I. - Died 1862 J. B. Karnes - Co. E 44 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Dec. 18, 1861 A. H. Bell - Co. D 129 Reg. I.V.I. Moses Smith - Co. C 20 Ind. V.I. - 1844-1903 W. A. Prugh - Co. E 44 Reg. I.V.I. J. T. Fry - Co. H 59 Reg. I.V.I. - 1846-1915 Linton Shoemaker - Co. B 74 Reg. I.V.I. - Died Nov. 2, 1862 Jacob Wilhelm - 11 Ind. Battery - July 25, 1820 - Sept. 1, 1902 Jacob Zumbrun - Co. G 44 Reg. I.V.I. - Died at Murfreesboro, Ten. - Jan. 21, 1863 Randall S. Glass - Co. G 128 Reg. O.V.I. - Died Apr. 26, 1885 H. H. Brant - Co. A 196 Reg. O.V.I. - Died Sept. 6, 1919 Ralph Goodrich - Co. B 44 Reg. I.V.I. - Killed at Battle of Shilo, Ten. D. F. Goodrich - Co. B 44 Reg I.V.V.I. John W. Goodrich - Co. G 53 Reg. I.V.I.
Erected 1896 by Grand Army of the Republic.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • Military • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the The Grand Army of the Republic series list.
Location. 41° 9.4′ N, 85° 29.347′ W. Marker is in Columbia City, Indiana, in Whitley County. Memorial is on West Van Buren Street west of Main Street, on the left when traveling west. At Front Entrance of Court House. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia City IN 46725, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Thomas Riley Marshall (within shouting distance of this marker); Ralph F. Gates (within shouting distance of this marker); Whitley County Korean War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Valiant Men and Women of Whitley County (within shouting distance of this marker); Whitley County Vietnam Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Whitley County (within shouting distance of this marker); Whitley County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Ohki Alley (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia City.
Regarding Whitley County Civil War Memorial. The Monument that Moved:
In Whitley County at Columbia City, Indiana the Civil War Memorial gives tribute to the Civil War era veterans with it walls filled with names. Nothing has deterred Whitley County in paying just dues even to the point of moving the monument itself in 1985 renovations. It was found to be in grave danger from a failing foundation that exhibited severe cracks all around its base.
(“Post&Mail” Columbia City newspaper - multiple dates) ”“The Whitley County Civil Era Monument ... ...was an idea born of a G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) meeting on June 24, 1896. Fund-raising (not to exceed $1,000 - a large sum in the late 1890's) began immediately and spaces on the monument to recognize Civil War veterans were available by subscription at $1 per brick.
The contract to build it was awarded to “Iron Marble Works” ran by C. V. Inks, a marble dealer. Construction of the monument began with 13 loads of stone brought in, by horse drawn wagons, from the McLallen Farm East of Columbia City.
On Nov. 11, 1896, a shipment of marble and the Italian marble statue, which adorns the top of the monument, arrived in Columbia City. The G.A.R. paid $375 for the six foot two inch statue which was crafted in Italy.”“
“”It was a Saturday on May 19, 1897 Memorial Day that the monument was dedicated.
Starting at 1:30 PM, there was music by the Columbia City band and the Quartet. Forty-five little girls sand “America.” The opening prayer was by Rev. Bloyd and the benediction by Comrade D. W. Sanders.
The welcoming address was by Mayor J. M. Harrison and the response by H. M. Caylor of Noblesville. Mrs. J. R. Harrison and Miss Jennie Collins unveiled the monument statue. The address was by the Hon. James S. Dodge of Elkhart, department commander.”“
-----In April of 1916 another newspaper notice::
“”The soldiers monument, which had occupied a prominent place on the court house square since 1896, had been enlarged to accommodate more names of war heroes. There was added space for 96 more names and they were selling rapidly at $1.00 each.”“ Thus the monument received a second layer of smaller dimension under the Civil War Statue.""
-----In 1985 yet another clipping::
“”Cracks in the base of the Civil War monument on the Whitley County Courthouse square... ...will eventually result in the tribute crumbling in a heap if proper attention is not given. ... ...Restoring the memorial to enhance its appearance and ensure its longevity has been estimated to cost between $10,000 and $15,000. A number of governmental and private groups worked together to solve the problem. ...Reiff Construction worked the contract to relocate the monument on a new foundation closer to the Court House buildings North entrance and dismantling and rebuilding the monument as it appears today with a one level structure. ...Experts from Shannon Stone, New Haven, with the use of a crane moved the infantryman (statue) in the process.”“
With the monuments move in 1985, all was completed and the Civil War infantryman is again at “parade rest”... It is now safe and quiet at the Whitley County Court House in Columbia City, Indiana!
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 5,556 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on November 2, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
