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Post by Ron Harris on Jun 11, 2003 17:07:41 GMT -5
I am working on restoration of a family cemetery near McGregor, Iowa and would like to request a headstone from the V.A. for a veteran of the Black Hawk War--DeWitt Clinton Van Sickle (1816-1881). The National Archives has no record of his service, but I have found a note in some pension records that came from the Department of the Treasury in 1896 (as "Auditor for the War Department" ) when his widow applied for a pension, that says he was on "The muster roll of Jms.(?) C. Thomas' Company, Iowa Militia" and served from June 1, 1832 until August 20, 1832. At the bottom of the form it says "The Company was ordered into the service on requisition of Henry Atkinson, was mustered out of the Uninted States Servie Aug 20, 1832 by order of Gen Atkinson, by WmWoodbridge Adj. & [illegible word] Iowa Militia and roll approved by H. Atkinson Br. Gen U.S.A. M. rolls found of Capt. Grants C. Iowa & Wisc. F. [illegible) Fannon Auditor By CWO J;A.C 2 108-610 T. B. Indwars 6563 In "The History of the Van Sickle Family" is the following: ". . .He served as second Sergeant in the Black Hawk War of 1832, in which he was wounded, and narrowly escaped death by having his horse shot under him. . ." Where can I find the original records for Mr. Van Sickle's service? What designs were used for headstones of veterans of the Black Hawk War? Which of the current stones supplied by the V.A. would be most appropriate? Mr. Van Sickle, who died in 1881, was the seventh husband of Emma. When she applied for a pension in 1895-6, she was 72 and was the widow of an eighth husband, Michael Stence (1811-1895) who was also in the Black Hawk War according to Emma's application to the Pension Office. The only reference in response was a small form (from the Pension Office?)that said Michael was in Grant's Illinois Militia--Black Hawk War. I cannot find his name on the roster of Illinois that is posted on the web, nor can the National Archives find any service record or pension record. Where can I look for more on Michael Stence? Emma's pension applications were rejected. Emma married one more time, but this last husband survived her. DeWitt's name shows up in various forms: Clinton Vancicle, DeWitt C. Vansickle, Clinton Van Sickle, etc. I would appreciate any assistance to pursue the details of the service of DeWitt Clinton Van Sickle and Michael Stence. Ron Harris  |
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Post by Robert Braun on Jun 11, 2003 23:47:55 GMT -5
Hello, Ron, and WELCOME to the Black Hawk War Discussion Board! Until the experts, both contributors and lurkers, weigh in on your questions, I'm afraid your stuck with me... a mere moderator. McGregor, eh? You're just across the river from Prairie du Chein. I've been to McGregor myself many times... and to Pikes Peak and surrounding locations of interest. There is a modest clue that may assist you. Research into information that referred to the yet unpublished muster rolls for the Iowa County (Michigan Territory) Militia reveals the existance of a captain known to me and many investigators only by his surname--Thomas-- and the company's dates of service-- June 1 to August 20, 1832. Please see the research to date www.geocities.com/old_lead/comp.htmThe connection betweeen your findings and our small amount of knowledge is indeed intriguing. More-- William W. Woodbridge served as an Adjutant and Lieutenant with Col. Henry Dodge in his capacity as commander of the Iowa County (Michigan Territory) Militia, raised to defend the Mineral District during the 1832 incursions of Black Hawk and his band. Dewitt Clinton Van Sickle-- your ancestor sounds to be of VERY New York extraction, being named for a prominant NY politician and principal in the construction of the Erie Canal. "Van Sickle" was a prominant NY family surname where I grew up, in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.  I will need to look deeper into your other ancestor. Admittedly, our current resources our meager. But we'll look anyway! Kind regards... Bob Braun. I am working on restoration of a family cemetery near McGregor, Iowa and would like to request a headstone from the V.A. for a veteran of the Black Hawk War--DeWitt Clinton Van Sickle (1816-1881). The National Archives has no record of his service, but I have found a note in some pension records that came from the Department of the Treasury in 1896 (as "Auditor for the War Department" ) when his widow applied for a pension, that says he was on "The muster roll of Jms.(?) C. Thomas' Company, Iowa Militia" and served from June 1, 1832 until August 20, 1832. At the bottom of the form it says "The Company was ordered into the service on requisition of Henry Atkinson, was mustered out of the Uninted States Servie Aug 20, 1832 by order of Gen Atkinson, by WmWoodbridge Adj. & [illegible word] Iowa Militia and roll approved by H. Atkinson Br. Gen U.S.A. M. rolls found of Capt. Grants C. Iowa & Wisc. F. [illegible) Fannon Auditor By CWO J;A.C 2 108-610 T. B. Indwars 6563 In "The History of the Van Sickle Family" is the following: ". . .He served as second Sergeant in the Black Hawk War of 1832, in which he was wounded, and narrowly escaped death by having his horse shot under him. . ." Where can I find the original records for Mr. Van Sickle's service? What designs were used for headstones of veterans of the Black Hawk War? Which of the current stones supplied by the V.A. would be most appropriate? Mr. Van Sickle, who died in 1881, was the seventh husband of Emma. When she applied for a pension in 1895-6, she was 72 and was the widow of an eighth husband, Michael Stence (1811-1895) who was also in the Black Hawk War according to Emma's application to the Pension Office. The only reference in response was a small form (from the Pension Office?)that said Michael was in Grant's Illinois Militia--Black Hawk War. I cannot find his name on the roster of Illinois that is posted on the web, nor can the National Archives find any service record or pension record. Where can I look for more on Michael Stence? Emma's pension applications were rejected. Emma married one more time, but this last husband survived her. DeWitt's name shows up in various forms: Clinton Vancicle, DeWitt C. Vansickle, Clinton Van Sickle, etc. I would appreciate any assistance to pursue the details of the service of DeWitt Clinton Van Sickle and Michael Stence. Ron Harris |
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Post by Ron Harris on Jun 12, 2003 13:33:11 GMT -5
Bob,
Thank you for the information. I also got a response off--site. Here is an update on the follow-ups I have done.
I checked with the Iowa Gold Star Museum. I was told they might have BHW rosters--no luck, the curator said they had an interest, but information was very hard to come by.
I called the Iowa State Historical Society in Des Moines, but they had nothing to offer. The Society office in Iowa City, however, is sending me a roster that includes several Van Sickles. It appears that brothers DeWitt Clinton, Moses E., and Martin all were in the BHW--DeWitt and Martin are buried in the Eastman Cemetery. I don't know where Moses is buried, but he did die in McGregor. Both Moses and DeWitt were married to Emma Eastman, and Martin was married to Emma's sister Marilla.
Moses was a Lieutenant in Capt. Eustes' Company, DeWitt was a Second Sergeant, I think under Captain Thomas, Martin was also a Lieutenant (according to the Iowa City Archivist). Moses also was in the Civil War--Sergeant in Company G of the 33rd Wisconsin vol. Infantry. I am placing Moses' obit below as I think it contains some interesting details. Emma did not die, but went on to marry seven more times! (I am currently working on her biography. She was married nine times and got the nickname around McGregor of "Virgin Em.')
[This obit came from a family source who did not know where this obituary was printed, but it is likely from the 1888 McGregor North Iowa Times]
Comrade Moses Vansickle Dropped Dead at 2 O'clock Yesterday Afternoon.
Another old Comrade has been mustered out of life's service; another of the heroes of the Union Army answers the final roll call, and joins the host in the silent bivouac of the dead. Moses Vansickle was a Sergeant in G Company, thirty-third Wisconsin volunteer infantry. At his death he was in his 73rd year, an old Vet worn out after long usage.
Yesterday afternoon, he was standing at the counter in Wood's drug store, when suddenly he gave a gasp and fell upon the floor dead. The old frame could stand the pressure no longer. He was a member of Hervey Dix Post, No. 371 , McGregor, under the auspices of which the funeral will be held from the residence of Marshal Hatfield tomorrow, Friday, at 2 p. m.
Moses Vansickle was born in Cayuga county, New York, July 6th, 1815; he was therefore in his 73rd year. In 1821 with his parents he moved to Vamillion county, Indiana; in 1827 the family moved to Jo Davis county, Ill..near Galena. In 1829 they moved to Mineral Point, Wis., and engaged in mining. On the breaking out of the Black Hawk war Moses enlisted and was commissioned a Lieutenant in Capt. Eustes' company. and served during the war with distinction. Before the close of the war he acted as interpreter between the officers and Indian chiefs, in which capacity he was an expert, fully acquainted with the Indian tongue. In 1833 Moses settled near the mouth Turkey River, where he engaged in farming and hunting. In 1839 he married Miss Emma Eastman, who died some time in the '40s. In 1854 he married Miss Issabella Evans, with whom he lived about two weeks, when she was abducted by her father. He never heard of her after. About two years later he married miss Eliza Butcher, sister of Julius Butcher, one of the first landlords in McGregor. This was a happy union. Three children were born to them, two of which survive the parents, John Hartwick Vansickle, residing in Minnesota. and a daughter married and living on the river line of the railway. The wife and mother died a number of years ago. Moses was a hunter and trapper of experience, and at one time alone killed nine bears in a cave on Cedar Creek. An early settler in this section he was conversant with our early history, and could tell anecdote after anecdote of the old time of the old time history.
I will be checking with the National Archives some more. I'm sure they have some information that may be filed in some unusual way--say under pension records. I will also be going to Madison and will check their archives.
The current issue of the Wisconsin Magazine of History that just came in the mail (summer 2003) has an article by Wisconsin State Archaeologist Bob Birmingham called "Uncovering the Story of Fort Blue Mounds" that includes the results of recent excavations on the site.
I am told the BHW grave markers are much like those of the Civil War--meaning that of the current stones available from the V.A., the upright marble would be the best choice.
I'll post any new information I find.
Ron Harris
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Post by Robert Braun on Jun 13, 2003 8:50:26 GMT -5
Ron... many thanks for sharing your obit. It is indeed interesting. Particularly the connection with the Van Sickle family and the Thirty-third Wisconsin. As you probably already know, "Moses Vansickle [sic]" enlisted at Lancaster, Grant County Wisconsin on August 18, 1862. He accepted a warrant as Corporal, and was later promoted sergeant in Company "G" (Boscobel Rangers) of the Thirty-third Wisconsin. Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He probably was overcome with some debility, as he was transferred to the Veterans Reserve Corps on April 2, 1864. He was mustered out on August 24, 1865. The bulk of the "old" Thirty-third mustered out August 9, 1865 at Vicksburg, Mississippi. By a strange twist of fate, I am also associated with an organization devoted to the Thirty-third www.33wis.com/Regarding your search in Iowa, in truth I do not believe there is any connection with the great state of Iowa and your ancestor's BHW record. I belive he served in the Iowa COUNTY militia, in present day Wisconsin (then "Michigan Territory.") I'm sure you have already made this connection in your research. Many thanks for your ccontinued information. Should your project advance to the point where you would be looking at a re-dedication of the family cemetery, I hope you will contact us. I am connected with persons who would be honored to attend the ceremony in commemoration of your family's Civil War and Black HawkWar service. |
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Post by Ron Harris on Jun 19, 2003 20:19:38 GMT -5
Bob,
I am not related to the Van Sickles, but have been researching the family since they are so directly involved in the life of Emma Eastman, whose biography I am working on. (Moses was married to Emma in 1839, DeWitt married her in 1863, Emma's sister Marilla married Martin in 1837, Emma's mother married another brother, Jacob, in 1854--it gets pretty complicated.). All but Jacob were in the Black Hawk War--Moses in the Civil War as well.
Here is an update on what I have found out about the service of the Van Sickle brothers in the Black Hawk War.
The Iowa Historical Society sent me a list of Black Hawk War Vets living in Iowa in 1888 from a List called "Ex-Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, Living in Iowa. Printed by the Order of the General Assembly, Des Moines." It lists Moses Vansickle as "Corporal, Capt. Thomas' Co. Wisconsin." His residence is listed as " North McGregor." North McGregor is now Marquette. They did not send me the pages for the Civil War, which I will have to request. I have a record that shows Moses is buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, McGregor Iowa, Lot 27. I searched through the cemetery a few weeks ago and did not find a marker for Moses. I did not have the lot information at the time, but I will be contacting the cemetery officials for their record. If he does not have a marker, I will order one from the VA and have it set. The only relative I know is the great great granddaughter of DeWitt Clinton Van Sickle, and she has given her approval for ordering and placing markers.
Across Highway 18 from Pleasant Grove Cemetery is the Eastman Cemetery. A year ago it was completely overgrown with weeds, brush, and box elders. It has now been cleared. Three 150-year-old cedar trees (a fourth cedar that had to be cut down, showed about 150 rings) remain as a northern border, on the west and south is a row of mock orange bushes. My research showed a written record of 34 burials. The "witcher" for the Clayton County Pioneer Cemetery Commission found 42 burials. All but two footstones are gone. We have recovered two large headstones (from a relataive in Mason City) and are looking for the rest of the markers.
The record sent from Iowa City shows that Martin Van Sickle (Moses and DeWitt's brother), who is also buried in the Eastman Cemetery, was a "First Lieutenant, Clark's Regiment, Dodge's Dragoon, Michigan." He is listed as living in Elkader, Iowa.
I still am unclear on why the the Militia was called the Iowa County Miliita. Was the state of Iowa considered a county? Iowa County, Wisconsin did not exist at the time.
I sent a request to the VA for a marker for DeWitt. The National Archives at first could not find a service record, but then called back and said they found it after I asked them to look under alternate spellings for Van Sickle. It was under "Vancicle." I just sent a request for the service record for Martin. I sent a request for Moses several weeks ago but have not had an answer.
Luckily, the County Pioneer Cemetery Commission has people who will set headstones, and can repair damaged and broken ones.
I did not have the details of Moses' Civil War service--thank you!
The folks who are doing the physical work on the Eastman Cemetery have suggested some sort of ceremony when the restoration is ready. There are at least Martin and DeWitt who are BHW vets. Emma had applied for a pension based on the service of her eighth husband, Michael Stence, in the BHW, but her application was rejected--no reason given that I can find. The National Archives could find no record of his service when I asked last month.
Perhaps you have a suggestion for a dedication ceremony. I think the restoration will be mostly done by this fall. In 2004 McGregor and most river towns will be celebrating the Grand Excursion of 1854--maybe 2004 would be a good time to dedicate the restoration. The Grand Excursion planning committee has expessed an interest in having the Eastman Cemetery on their list of "sites of historic interest" and allow people to visit. The La Crosse Historical Society has the same interest.
Emma was known locally as "Virgin Em" because of her nine marriages--and some said the very short lives of her husbands. When Emma lived in La Crosse she made the local papers often--involved in murder, attempted murder, numerous trials, marriages, etc. I found a letter from one of her husbands written to her from Missouri in 1859 in which he says he should look her up and hang her, but on second thought said it would just "nasty up a perfectly good rope." Emma is still known as the "Belle of La Crosse" and "Madam Emma," and "Virgin Em." She died in 1905, but her legend remains in the minds of local folks to this day.
If the VA sends a headstone for Moses, do you have a suggestion for a dedication ceremony at Pleasant Grove? They have a ceremony there each Memorial Day--could it be a part of that? There is a group in McGregor called "The McGregor Rifles" who may want to be in on any ceremony. They are currently working on revamping the McGregor Historical Museum, but I'm not sure what other activities they are involved in.
As a footnote: Emma's brother George W. D. Eastman was in the Iowa 1st Cavalry. He died in Memphis in 1864 and is buried there in the Memphis National Cemetery. The Cemetery will send photos of gravemarkers free of charge--I imagine you already know this. Also, I extracted the names and service records for McGregor Civil War soldiers from the Ancestry.com website and made up an alphabetized list--it runs over 50 pages and lists about 300 men. I can email it on request if anyone should want it.
Thank you for all the help. I hope my ramblings are not off the point of your discussion board.
Ron Harris
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Post by Robert Braun on Jun 20, 2003 8:54:55 GMT -5
Very interesting information, here! Thank you for sharing your findings with us! I serve as Secretary of the Old Lead Region Historical Society. Part of our mission statement indicates: "The society will disseminate historical information and arouse interest in the past by publishing historical material in the newspapers or otherwise; by holding meetings with historical events and themes, addresses, lectures, tours, papers and discussions; and by marking historical buildings, sites, and trails to awaken public interest." I would think that a cemetery dedication commemorating early settlers, Black Hawk War veterans, and subsequent family members is in keeping with this mission. Feel free to contact me off-board if we can help with the planning of a cemetery (re)dedication. Click on the little envelope under my picture at left (the center icon) to bring up my email address. Also see www.geocities.com/old_lead/Ron, you wrote: In reality, Iowa County in present-day Wisconsin (then Michigan Territory) was founded in 1829, with the county seat established at Mineral Point. There were at least three counties in the Michigan Territory at the time of the Black Hawk War: Brown, Crawford, and Iowa. The latter was reportedly named in honor of the Iowa Indians. Col. Henry Dodge is frequently described in the literature as "colonel of the Iowa County Militia," meaning the militia of Iowa County, Michigan Territory (later Wisconsin.) Apparently, Dodge commanded not just the Iowa County militia, but the collective militia companies raised or to be raised in the western Michigan Territory. Clearly, his activities centered primarily in Iowa County. Captain Thomas' company is listed as one of the companies raised during the BHW in Iowa County, and hence was part of the "regiment" commanded by Dodge. Iowa County, M. T. unfortunately shares nothing whatever with Iowa the state, except the same name! However, it is not unusual to find former M.T. residents journeying across the Mississippi into what is now present-day Iowa. Dodge himself retired at his son's home in Burlington, Iowa, and is buried in that city. Again... some great information here! Regards, Bob. |
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