Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Washburn, Robert S 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 6, 2007, 2:45 pm

Author: Portrait & Bios Album, 1890

ROBERT S. WASHBURN owns and occupies a fine farm on section 30, Peotone 
Township, and an adjoining tract on section 31. The land is under thorough 
cultivation and it needs but a glance to assure a visitor that the years which 
Mr. Washburn has spent in tilling the soil have given him a thorough knowledge 
of the details of that occupation. His hard service in the Union Array has 
left its effects upon his system and he is afflicted somewhat with rheumatism 
and other ailments, but still attends to his farm and bears his part in local 
affairs. Mr. Washburn is the only survivor of three children born to Seth and 
Louisa (Hewitt) Washburn, who died during his childhood. He was born in Cook 
County forty-six years ago, came to Will County when about ten years old and 
became a resident of Wilton Township. He was thrown upon his own resources at 
a tender age, had very limited schooling and has always worked on a farm. When 
nineteen years old his spirit was roused by the attempts against the life of 
the Union and he enlisted in Company H, Twelfth Cavalry. The regiment was 
equipped at St. Louis and sent to New Orleans, thence took part in the Red 
River expedition under Gen. Banks. The marches, skirmishes and battles of that 
expedition are recorded in history, but only those who took part can fully 
realize the gallantry and endurance of the boys in blue. After that expedition 
the company was stationed at Donelsonville, doing picket duty. In August, 
1864, a squad of four men was sent to carry a dispatch to another fort on the 
Misssissippi River, a day's ride from their station. They were surprised by 
the enemy, one man wounded, two captured and the fourth made his escape. Mr. 
Washburn was one of those taken prisoner, and after spending two weeks at 
Bayou La Fourche, La., was marched through to Tyler, Tex., and there placed in 
prison. At one time there was about eleven hundred Union soldiers imprisoned 
there, and a pound of beef, nearly all bone, and a quart of corn meal 
constituted a day's rations. There was a dead line and Mr. Washburn has seen 
men shot down there. When guarded by regular Confederate soldiers, prisoners 
received fair treatment, but when militia and boys were their watchmen they 
were often mistreated. Mr. Washburn was afflicted with scurvy nearly all the 
time he was in prison and still suffers from its effects. Mr. Washburn was 
released from prison in June, 1865, went to New Orleans, and thence to Baton 
Rouge where his regiment was encamped. He then came North on a thirty days' 
furlough, after which he returned to his regiment, joined Gen. Custer's 
command, went back into Texas and remained until June, 1866. He then returned 
to Springfield, Ill., where he was mustered out and honorably discharged. 
During his term of service he had been promoted to the rank of Corporal and 
won a good record for faithful and gallant conduct. Resuming the agricultural 
labor in which he had spent his youth, Mr. Washburn also secured an interest 
in a thresher and corn-sheller, and through industrious efforts giadually 
accumulated means with which to purchase a home. Eight years ago he secured 
the deed to one hundred and twenty acres of his estate, and last winter 
purchased the adjoining seventy-four, making up a good farm of one hundred and 
ninety-four acres. The land is improved and produces fine crops of various 
kinds. The wife of Mr. Washburn was known in her maidenhood as Miss Sarah 
Allars and became his wife March 23, 1881. She is a daughter of William and 
Maria (Godson) Allars, both deceased, her father having been killed by a load 
of lumber falling upon him. He was an old settler of Kankakee County. Mrs. 
Washburn is thirty-eight years old, is industrious, amiable and kind-hearted, 
making a happy home. Mr. Washburn votes the Republican ticket, taking a deep 
interest in polities. He is Director of School District No. 9, and anxious to 
advance the cause of education. He belongs to William A. Webb Post, No. 657, 
G. A. R., of Peotone. He receives from his fellow-men the respect to which he 
is entitled for his virtues and habits.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/washburn1339nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/

File size: 4.9 Kb