THE NATIONAL GUARD - Racine county Transcribed and contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives November 5, 2000 by Sheri Kennedy < necroscope52@hotmail.com > **************************************************************** **************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. **************************************************************** **************************************************************** Transcribed from the Racine County Militant, An Illustrated Narrative of War Times, and a Soldiers' Roster, written by Eugene Walter Leach. Undertaken in the interest of Patriotic Americans in Racine County, Wisconsin. A Pioneer Publication **************************************************************** THE NATIONAL GUARD ******************** Prior to 1836, what is now the state of Wisconsin was part of the territory of Michigan, whose first militia law was adopted and published at Detroit August 30, 1805. The provisions of this law were patterned after those of the militia law of Ohio, and were made to conform, in a general way, to the regulations prescribed in an act of Congress of May 8, 1792, defining the rights and duties of the states and territories in the matter of defense. This comprehensive enactment, the Michigan law, required the enrollment in the militia of every free, able-bodied male inhabitant of the territory, of the age of fourteen years, and under the age of fifty years, and each person so enrolled was required, "within four days after being notified of his enrollment, to provide himself with a good musket, fusee, bayonet, knapsack, cartridge pouch, and two extra flints." Minor changes were made in the law from time to time, and in 1820 the age limits were raised to eighteen and forty-five years, which are the limits today. RACINE COUNTY'S FIRST MILITIA **************************** (**Most of the data here given, concerning the militia previous to 1880, was procured at the Wisconsin Historical Library at Madison; the records in the Adjutant's office yielded very little covering that period in the city's history.) On April 18, 1838, the first legislation outlining and defining the scope and the limits of a territorial militia for Wisconsin, was approved by the governor. It was a practical reenactment of the Michigan law. The territory was divided into regimental districts, each district comprising one or more counties; the Fourth regiment included the counties of Racine and Walworth, and was officered as follows: Michael Frank........Colonel (Other regimental offices vacant.) First Company, Town of Racine Albert G. Knight.......Captain Elias S. Capron..........First Lieutenant .....................................Second Lieutenant Second Company, Rochester and Burlington Ira A. Rice.................Captain Archibald Cooper........First Lieutenant Otis L. Whitman..........Second Lieutenant There were also at this time, three companies in that part of Racine county which is now Kenosha county. In 1842, the Fourth regiment included the county of Racine alone. It was the duty of the commanding officer of each company of infantry "to from time to time enroll all persons within the limits of his company, who may be subject to military duty," and to notify them of such enrollment; and such officer was the judge of age and ability to bear arms; subject to appeal, of course. All companies were supposed to rendezvous twice each year, for drill, on the first Saturdays in June and September. The regiments and battalions were also to have a three to eight days' meet in each year. EARLY MILITARY OPERATIONS *************************** In the address of Mr. Charles E. Dyer to the Racine County Old Settlers' Society, published in 1871, he gives some little account of an attempt at military training in the village in the fall of 1840. It is probable that he got his information from some of those who participated in or witnessed the occurrences narrated. This is what Mr. Dyer says: "The first training was had, or attempted to be had, in the fall of 1840. Albert G. Knight was captain of the company. He had been ordered by his superior officer to call out his company for parade, preliminary to a general muster. For some reason, the new militia law contained no authority at all to call out companies of militia. A few knowing ones were aware of his omission, and thought the captain was not. But he was well advised of the fact and determined to act accordingly. Having duly warned out the company, and as they were mustered in line in the morning, Capt. Knight ordered the name of each man called and as he responded said to him: "Sir, you are excused for the day." The captain's duty was done, and he retired amidst the consternation of his company. But Tom O'Sprig rallied and reorganized them. The ringing of a steamboat bell at the head of the column filled up the ranks, and the Racine militia gallantly trained till noon, when they adjourned to the Fulton house for dinner, where they all got so drunk they couldn't muster at all in the afternoon." THE FIRST STATE MILITIA ********************** In 1848, when Wisconsin became a state, it was organized in military divisions, each division into two brigades, and each brigade into as many regiments as there were counties in that brigade. Racine county was the Fourth regiment of the Second brigade, of the First division, each ward in the city and each township in the county having a company enrolled, and we are able to present the following data concerning its officers: SECOND BRIGADE-- Philo White, Racine, Brig. Gen. FOURTH REGIMENT-- Seth Johnson, Col. Orson B. Sheldon, Lieut. Col. Martin Clancy, Maj. RACINE CITY BATTALION-- George Wustum, Maj. Thomas Falvey, Adjut. Thos. L. Page, Hosp. Surg. VOLUNTEER CORPS-- THE GOVERNOR'S GUARDS-- Ferdinand Elmlinger, Capt. Ernst Hueffner, 1st Lieut. Charles Bliss, 2nd Lieut. Peter Hettrich, 2nd 2nd Lieut. Numerical strength, 67 THE EMMETT GUARDS-- Edward McKee, Capt. Thomas Falvey, 1st Lieut. John McGinnis, 2nd Lieut. Dennis Smith, 2nd 2nd Lieut. Numerical strength, 41 RACINE CITY RIFLES-- Jacob S. Crane, Capt. J. Tait, 1st Lieut. J. Near, 2nd Lieut. G. Near, 2nd 2nd Lieut. Numerical strength, 34 THE WARD COMPANIES--* (*These companies were enrolled, but probably were unorganized.) CO. A, 1ST WARD-- Clark W. Spafford, Capt. Seneca Raymond, 1st Lieut. Charles B. Knapp, 2nd Lieut. Rank and File, 177 Total, 180 CO. B, 2ND WARD-- Henry J. Ullman, Capt. Moses Armes, 1st Lieut. William Beswick, 2nd Lieut. Rank and File, 177 Total, 180 CO. C, 3RD WARD-- Wesley W. Carey, Capt. Hugh D. Williams, 1st Lieut. Samuel Bauman, 2nd Lieut. Rank and File, 220 Total, 223 CO. D, 4TH WARD-- Matthew W. King, Capt. Michael Gorman, 1st Lieut. William Wall, 2nd Lieut. Rank and File, 178 Total, 180 CO.E, 5TH WARD-- R.J. Mann, Capt. John Bangs, 1st Lieut. Samuel G. Knight, 2nd Lieut. Rank and File, 97 Total, 100 Aggregate numerical strength of battalion, 1,055; 120 stand of muskets and appendages, and 60 stand of rifles are on deposit with the three volunteer companies attached to this battalion. THE COUNTY COMPANIES-- CO. D, YORKVILLE-- Roland Ives, Capt. William H. Reed, 1st Lieut. Daniel D. McEachron, 2nd Lieut. Rank and File, 200 CO.E, RAYMOND-- John C. Miller, Capt. Morris White, 1st Lieut. Mathias Lower, 2nd Lieut. Rank and File, 165 CO.F, DOVER-- Daniel F. Houghton, Capt. Timothy Rogan, 1st Lieut. James Mealey, 2nd Lieut. Rank and File, 131 CO.G, BURLINGTON-- Nathaniel Dickinson, Capt. Charles Jones, 1st Lieut. Liberty Fisk, 2nd Lieut. CO.H., ROCHESTER-- Nathaniel Moulton, Capt. John Anthony, 1st Lieut. Hezekiah Mason, 2nd Lieut. Rank and File, 217 CO. OF NORWAY-- Homer W. Landon, Capt. John Anthony, 1st Lieut. Robert Walterman, 2nd Lieut. Rank and File, 145 Numerical strength of 4th regiment, 1,564 THE VOLUNTEER CORPS ******************** The first militia companies in Racine of which we have been able to get any detailed information, are those composing the "Volunteer Corps," organized just after Wisconsin became a state; the Governor's Guards, the Emmett Guards, and the Racine Guards, formerly the Racine Rifles, whose first commissioned officers were named previously. The following information concerning these companies was obtained in an early city directory, and from surviving members. ROSTER OF GOVERNOR'S GUARDS, 1852 ********************************* Geo. Wustum, Capt. Ernst Hueffner, Sr., 1st Lieut. Chas. Bliss, 2nd Lieut. Peter Hettrich, 2nd Lieut. Samuel Myers, Sec'y Xafer, Haas, Treas Christopher Wustum, 1st Sergt. Geo. Britz, 2nd Sergt. Adolph Fleischer, 3rd Sergt. Jacob Kawelti, 4th Sergt. Albert Miller, 1st Corp. John Graitch, 2nd Corp. Xafer Haas, 3rd Corp. Frederick Ulrich, 4th Corp. Directors ******* Geo. Wustum Peter Hettrich Ernst Hueffner, Sr. Chas. Bliss Privates ****** Frank Schneider Nicholas Stoffel Dr. Schneider William Sweitzer Theodore Schulte, Sr. Ed. Fleischer Wolf Rapps Albert Rapps Nicholas Hettrich John Bohn Joseph Bohn Joseph Mink J. Bilhorn F. Bilhorn Nich Schmitz Michael Kaidel Michael Schultz Ferdinand Elmlinger Hieronymus Ritter Charles Bilhorn Infantry arms and equipment on deposit with the company, sixty stand. The company, in 1852, numbered about sixty-seven members. The "Governor's Guards" had a hall of their own on the north side of Seventh, between Main and Wisconsin streets, but it burned in 1851, and they then located at 408 Main street, at Wustum's Hall. Later they hired Kawelti's Hall in the building now known as 417 Sixth street. In 1855 they turned out on Washington's birthday and were inspected by Governor Wm. A. Barstow. In addition to his captaincy of the "Governor's Guards," George Wustum was an officer on the staffs of Governor's Dewey, Farwell and Barstow, and was a recruiting officer in 1862, nder Governor Salomon. An interesting fact in connection with the "Governor's Guards," is that out of the organization came the first brass band in the city, of which Jacob Esser was leader, and which numbered among its members the following well-known old citizens of Racine: Jacob Esser Hiram Ritter William Horn Christian Ritt Theodore Ritt John Ritt Hubbard Brown Thomas Evans John Happ ____ Schmeiser Fred Lersch Frank Kammerer Matt Happ This band used to turn out with the company when it was on parade. THE EMMETT GUARDS, 1852 - OFFICERS ********************************* Edward McKee, Capt. Thomas Falvey, 1st Lieut. John McGinnis, 2nd Lieut. Dennis Smith, 2nd Lieut. Peter Jennings, Sec'y John McGinnis, Treas. Peter Lynch, 1st Sergt. Thomas McKey, 2nd Sergt. Michael Murphy, 3rd Sergt. Thomas Hogan, 4th Sergt. Andrew Shaw, 1st Corp. Barney Lavin, 2nd Corp. Gregory Flynn, 3rd Corp. Peter Jennings, 4th Corp. Directors ******* Edward McKee Thomas Falvey John McGinnis Dennis Smith Infantry arms and equipment on deposit with the company, sixty stand. The company numbered fifty-two members. THE CITY GUARDS, 1852 - OFFICERS ***************************** Jacob S. Crane, Capt. M. Wormer, 1st Lieut. J. Tait, 2nd Lieut. G. Near, 2nd Lieut. J. Near, 1st Sergt. H. Hankin, 2nd Sergt. W. H. Taylor, 3rd Sergt. J. Collier, 4th Sergt. W. Pottinger, 1st Corp. J. Stone, 2nd Corp. J. A. Cary, 3rd Corp. J. Bozwell, 4th Corp. Directors ******* J.S. Crane M. Wormer John Tait G. Near As near as we have been able to learn, the three companies composing the Volunteer Corps of the city battalion viz: the Governor's Guards, The Emmett Guards, and the City Guards, were disbanded or mustered out about 1856 or 1857, and at the beginning of the Civil War there were no organized militia companies in the city. THE BELLE CITY GUARD* ******************** (*This company had just gotten well organized at the time of the big fire in Chicago, and offered their services to the authorities there, but they were not needed.) The people of Racine had had enough of military matters during the Civil War to last them for a term of years, and it was not until the spring of 1871 that any move was made to again organize a militia company. In April of that year, Mr. Robert Bell, a veteran officer in the War of the Rebellion, got together a large number of the young men of the city, and organized the "Belle City Guard," which was mustered into the service on May 8, 1871, and equipped with eighty muskets and accoutrements. FIRST OFFICERS OF THE "BELLE CITY GUARD" ************************************** Bell, Robert......Captain Roberts, John H.....1st Lieut. Kaiser, George......2nd Lieut. In the winter of 1871, Geo. Kaiser was accidentally killed, and Orrin Richardson was made 2nd lieutenant. Martin, Peter......1st Sergt Mills, William A.....2nd Sergt Levi, Peter.....3rd Sergt Outson, Jacob....4th Sergt Wischman, Louis....5th Sergt Howe, Samuel....6th Sergt Fieldburg, Aug. M.....1st Corp Bull, Frank......2nd Corp Voigt, Herman.....3rd Corp Judge, Patrick.....4th Corp Mills, E F......5th Corp Smith, A......6th Corp MUSICIANS ********* Crane, James H Healy, Frank Freeman, Cyrus Dingman, William McMurtry, D PRIVATES ******** Allen, A H Anderson, G Asby, Richard Aubert, J Beach, C Bull, G E Beffel, Peter Brown, J Burdick, O J Britz, A Bell, C Berry, James Bouska, A Bouska, H Boernke, H Charlette, George P Chellis, Ed Chlopeck, C Cheves, John Courtney, T S Cahoon, E Carre, William Carroll, Joseph Drop, William Driver, A W Driver, John Dross, W Dingman, C Engerud, C Ellarson, W Foertsch, C Febsen, J George, F B Gunther, F W Glass, Silas Huggins, C E Harkins, Z Hollister, F Harvey, F D Harms, J H Harms, Claus Hand, J E Howard, F Horton, William Harcus, Robert Hughes, John Jenks, D Jacobson, Chr. King, F L Kissinger, C Lawton, Allan Link, F Le_Poedevin, A L Mann, George Mann, A McHale, J K McHale, C Martin, P Mills, F McMartrice, D Morris, Charles Marshall, J Miller, E F Outson, Jacob Patterson, D Phelps, C C Roberts, Henry Roberts, E Rittman, A Russell, J H Rogan, J Reukauf, F Stang, A Scholz, R T Stuart, Wesley Spry, John Schneider, A Schneider, L Sooet, S Smith, A Seibert, C Thomas, J Terbin, W Tyrrell, C Watts, George Wells, J R Winslow, J The company was in existence less than two years, disbanding in the winter of 1872-73, and surrendering their arms and other equipment to the state authorities. This action is accounted for by the lack of financial assistance afforded by the state to volunteer companies at that time. ****************************************************************************** At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, in April, 1898, Company F was ordered to Camp Harvey, where all who would pass the physical examination, and were willing to enlist, were mustered into the United States service on May 14. Recruits to bring the roster from sixty-five to the government requirement (one hundred) on the second call, were secured a few days later. ROSTER OF RACINE LIGHT GUARDS ***************************** First Officers.... Frank M Reed, Capt John T Vaughan, 1st Lieut Frank M Roberts, 2nd Lieut James W Greeley, 1st Sergt George C Baker, 2nd Sergt George Graves, 3rd Sergt John Crewe, 4th Sergt Homer Griffith, 5th Sergt William C Hood, Q M Sergt Christmas Evans, 1st Corp Charles Madison, 2nd Corp Henry J Rogers, 3rd Corp Michael Quinn, 4th Corp George Tait, 5th Corp John Clancy, 6th Corp A L Thomas, 7th Corp Dan Castello, 8th Corp ********************** Roster with dates of muster.... March 31, 1881..... ************** Bailey, George Briggs, Oney Carpenter, Charles Clancy, Edwin P Cooley, Harry Crewe, John Daggett, Slater Denton, Walter Dana, Elmer E Clifford, John Dickey, Charles J Fixen, Adolph H Fuller, Alvin R Fuller, Frank A Gebhardt, William H Gorton, William H Grant, U S Hansen, S F Hall, Samuel C Johnson, Albert Johnson, Ova Marshall, J L Mack, Arthur Mohr, Charles McClurg, Alex McDougal, Charles S Piggins, Harry S Prevost, James Ralph, William Rowlands, John D Reed, Albert Rodgers, F L Roberts, D Elmer Rein, M C Rodgers, Rollin A Shute, W B Jr Tourle, W Smith, Charles B Pugh, Arthur Wadewitz, Herman O Wishau, Francis J Wilson, Irvin Stevens, Frank Brown, L C Smith, Henry L Wild, Al Schnetz, Thomas N Williams, John G Doolittle, Henry June 6, 1881.... ************ Richards, Clarence J September 1, 1881.... ***************** Clark, Edw. October 3, 1881.... *************** Cuzner, Frank Forrest, Marshall C Root, Edw October 17, 1881.... **************** Racine, George October 22, 1881.... **************** Monroe, Louis P April, 1882.... *********** Morgan, John D Altringer, John C Blandin, Fred Cuzner, Fred Johnson, John F Roberts, C W Smollen, John P Tolfson, George September 25, 1882.... ****************** Brotherton, Charles Nourse, Charles Stickle, W J Torrey, Allan Pratt, Andrew Newman, Louis Weins, M J April 30, 1883.... ************** Crilly, Cornelius Kilmer, Edw Peil, John Van Arsdale, Edw. September 24, 1883.... ****************** Crouch, Benjamin Dooley, Daniel Inman, Walter Peil, George Roberts, Edwin Williams, William April 28, 1884.... ************** Johnson, Louis Johnson, Edward J Johnson, Charles J Kister, William C Laib, Albert Mueller, John C Parsons, John Frank, Herman Reigh, Matthew B September 29, 1884.... ****************** Belden, E Burnett Baumann, John Bradley, William Hatherel, Barney Fisher, Floyd Harding, Edw R Sarles, Jesse Tait, Gilbert McClintock, (no first name listed) Williams, Thomas J Williams, Richard R Yates, Charles April 27, 1885.... ************** Carpenter, Charles R Deane, William C Falvey, John Mickelson, Charles Meachem, Charles Wood, Hubert A Naylor, Frank September 28, 1885.... ****************** Watterson, Carl W April 26, 1886.... ************** Paddock, Herbert Murphy, Edw F September 28, 1886.... ****************** Davis, David R Fancher, Walter Sieb, John Thompson, W D Stewart, Solomon H Wilson, Elihu C April 25, 1887.... ************** Bowen, Benjamin F Komes, William Reynolds, Walter J Smith, Charles S Tecktonius, E C Metcalf, J E September 26, 1887.... ****************** Dunce, Charles Foster, Fred H Kate, Herman White, Fred C April 30, 1888.... ************** Blake, Fred J Hollister, George H Lahr, Samuel H Smith, Frank S September 24, 1888.... ****************** Crawford, W B Klema, John A Long, Albert Jones, Harry R Paulson, Martin Reed, Harry Rose, Clifford April 29, 1889.... ************** Burnes, William D Gross, Edgar L McCullough, William G September 30, 1889.... ****************** Christenson, Soren P Haumerson, Fred A Lensert, Frederick Rittman, Louis E Smith, John A April 28, 1890.... ************** Bonner, W A Collar, Elmer Hilker, Adolph H Learned, John C Kopitzke, Edward Perkins, Robert S Richardson, William H September 29, 1890.... ****************** Aupke, Henry Haebig, E W Jones, John J Kopplin, Paul T Mohr, Fred Mohr, Henry Phelps, Frank A Rodgers, George E Rodgers, William April 27, 1891.... ************** Dickey, Glen D Lowe, James P Mickelson, Al C Kooken, Newton E Tecktonius, George C September 28, 1891.... ****************** Bowen, John S Barker, Fred A Crouch, Walter Drew, W J Dombrowski, Michael Doe, Ernest W Fagan, Thomas A Fellows, Frank E Fielding, William A Fostelle, Charles D Helm, Joseph E Lambert, Fred A Marshall, Andrew Matson, Paul M Oleson, Ola Roggenbau, Louis E Tait, David April 25, 1892.... ************** Hood, John C Held, Jacob J Jones, Vaughan E James, Charles M Kitchingman, Claude B Leslie, Thomas W Luker, Thomas P Meyers, Martin N Nobles, Fred I Rittman, William C Skow, Clarence F Wilson, Lawrence H September 26, 1892.... ****************** Anderson, Anthony Anderson, Elmer M Dick, William H Hansen, P W Memhard, William F Slaasted, Martin Smith, William C April 24, 1893.... ************** Augustine, Jesse Burdick, Fred H Chupita, Frank Christenson, Albert Carlson, Walter C Hanson, Albert H Houghton, Fred P Johnson, Edw M Leonard, Gust Leahy, George H Lambert, Edwin H Miller, John F Olson, Charles Phillips, Edward M Rodgers, J William E Smith, James September 25, 1893.... ****************** Tremper, John G April 30, 1894.... ************** Clemons, Ward C Gochey, Harvey F Teucher, Conrad Lachat, Matt G Pritchard, George W After April 30, '94, and before the company was mustered out on August 5, the following names were added to the roll: Rittman, John M Brooker, F Moses Driver, Paul W Weaver, Guy C On August 6, 1894, the company was re-organized under Capt. James W. Greeley. August 6, 1894.... ************** Barnes, Allan H Buengers, J P Carlson, Albert Case, George N Cleveland, Fernando Driver, Paul W Fielding, Frank J Guest, George M Heather, Richard B Hay, Alfred E Halloway, James F Jones, Guilbert Kradwell, Gus V Lambert, E D Larson, Albert S Olson, Al F Owens, John Perrigo, George Scott, Warren H Stoffel, Alfred J Sauer, F N Stockmeyer, Benjamin E Varel, Clarence D Wheeler, Herbert F Wright, Fred L Dahlstrom, Andrew Wendt, E G H Bell, John September 30, 1895.... ****************** Bishop, T F Evans, Charles H George, Millard F Miller, William Owens, John H Yance, Harry L Evenson, Charles F Park, Edwin H April 27, 1896.... ************** Krough, Soren Olsen Christenson, Fred A Hermes, Edwin J Mueller, Fred Hanniford, Thomas A Olson, John Rapps, Frank E Smale, William Houghton, Eugene Bryer, Ernst George, Chilton B Brown, Carl D Olson, Olaf September 28, 1896.... ****************** Brown, John S Byard, Thomas D Covert, Richard Donald, Alfred F Elliott, William C Elliott, Grant E Fuller, William Huck, August J Johnson, Henry Myers, Edwin G Nelson, Clemens Patterson, Bismarck C Thomas, Albert L Wood, Frank L April 26, 1897.... ************** Clemons, Earl Elderkin, Louis E Houghton, Fred J Lachat, Leonard Smith, Jacob September 26, 1897.... ****************** Jackson, Clint J Kramer, Philip A Mathews, Charles R Pilon, George D Strickland, William C Schobert, Charles J Harper, William M Smith, Frank On January 10, 1898, the company was again re-organized, under the leadership of William M. Lewis, captain. THE RE-ORGANIZED COMPANY F ************************** Muster-in roll of Company F, First Infantry, Wisconsin National Guard, as re-organized January 10, 1898. The company was mustered in by Capt. S. H. Vowell. Armstrong, William H Barnes, Allen H Bauman, Albert R Beeber, Kimball H Bull, William C Byard, Thomas D Bishop, Thomas T Carlson, Albert A Casterton, Daniel H Collier, William E Collier, James Clemons, Earl A Clemons, Ward C, 1st Lieut Cooper, John J Craig, James Cram, James M Davidson, Samuel D Davis, Walter C Dickinson, Edwin M Drew, William J Dixon, Glenn M Elderkin, Louis E Elliott, Dr William C Evenson, Charles F Flegel, Chauncey R Gates, Samuel H George, Chilton B George, Millard F Hagman, William L Harper, William M Heck, Max W Herzog, George H Hinds, James B Hochgurtel, Fred J Hood, John C Horlick, Milton W Horlick, Clarence C Ingalls, John P Jones, Hugh O Kradwell, Gustave V Lewis, William M, Captain Leahy, George H Matson, Paul M MacDougall, George, Jr Myers, Edward G Olson, John T Oleson, Ola M Owens, John H Owen, Lemuel F Palica, Anthony J Phelps, Frank A Rapps, John H Rapps, Frank E Reiman, Hugo R Rickeman, George W, 2nd Lieut Rittman, John M Rodgers, William M Scott, Warren W Slauson, Willis J Smale, William Smeiding, Herman Smeiding, William, Jr Sugden, Fred J Smith, Frank H Schobert, John C Thompson, William T Wheeler, Herbert F Wills, Anson B During the history of the company, it has been officered as follows, commissioned officers only: Captain.... ******* 1881 Frank Reed 1882 George A Graves 1883 George A Graves 1884 John T Vaughan 1886 John T Vaughan 1888 William C Hood 1890 John T Vaughan 1892 John T Vaughan 1893 Hubert A Wood 1894 James W Greeley* (*Reorganized under Capt. James W. Greeley) 1895 Paul Matson 1896 Paul Matson 1897 Clarence D Varel First Lieutenant.... **************** 1881 John T Vaughan 1882 John T Vaughan 1883 John T Vaughan 1884 William C Hood 1886 William C Hood 1888 C E Evans 1890 Hubert A Wood 1892 Hubert A Wood 1893 M C Forest 1894 Paul Matson 1895 George Rodgers Ola M Olson 1896 Clarence D Varel 1897 Ward C Clemons Second Lieutenant.... ***************** 1881 Frank M Roberts 1882 Frank M Roberts 1883 William C Hood 1884 John Crewe 1886 Christmas E Evans 1888 Hubert A Wood 1890 Herman Wadewitz 1892 Marshall C Forest 1893 Albert C Mickelson 1894 George Rodgers 1895 John Bowen 1896 Ward C Clemons 1897 Walter Carlson Warren W Scott Re-organized under Capt. William M Lewis, and mustered in January 10, '98. Captain, 1898 William M Lewis First Lieutenant, 1898 Ward C Clemons Second Lieutenant, 1898 George W Rickeman THE GARFIELD GUARDS ******************* The Garfield Guards was organized August 30, 1881. It was at first proposed to call the company the "Belle City Rifles", but strenous objection was made by survivors of the Civil War organization of that name, and in proper deference to their feeling in the matter, the agitation for its adoption was dropped. George E. Smith was chiefly instrumental in the organization of this company, whose first officers were: George E Smith, Capt Peter J Rice, 1st Lieut Julius Zimmerman, 2nd Lieut Fred A Schwartz, 1st Sergt William Carre, 2nd Sergt Austin W Irwin, 3rd Sergt Thomas J Hart, 4th Sergt T C Dewey, 5th Sergt Ed. C Burgess, 1st Corp Nic. C Berg, 2nd Corp Charles Seaman, 3rd Corp Frank A Weissert, 4th Corp Lewis J Parks, 5th Corp Fred Hopkins, 6th Corp Henry G Meirhoff, 7th Corp George P Olle, 8th Corp During its entire history the company had but four captains. Capt. Smith was commander less than three months, when he resigned, and James W. Greeley was elected. William H. Brigham and Henry J. Jerstad were the only other company commanders. Their first armory was over Piel's grocery store, southeast corner of Sixth street and College avenue. Later they moved to the Hall block, northwest corner of Main and Fourth streets, and finally they located in the Lathrop block, east side of Monument square. The Garfield Guards were known as Company G, of the First regiment of the Wisconsin National Guard, and it was composed of a sturdy lot of young men, who attended faithfully to the serious business of drill, but paid little attention to the fancy angles of military tactics that would be necessary in a company expecting to engage in competitive drills, or that were bent on making a fine show at dress parade. A specialty was made of target practice, however, and the company achieved high standing in that important branch of the work. Company G, with Company F, was called out by the Governor in May, 1886, to assist in quelling the riots in Milwaukee, and was on duty there night and day for five days. The boys were placed in some very difficult positions, where they came in contact with the rioters, and acquitted themselves with credit. Neither of the Racine companies was called upon to fire on the mob, but Company G, at one tense moment, was ordered to "load" and "ready", and having previously been instructed in the hearing of the rioters, to pick out some man and aim to kill him when the order to fire was given, the boys admitted that they had a "queer" feeling that was an entirely new sensation. But the mob took the hint and got out of range in time to avoid the necessity of firing on them, to the relief of the soldiers. W. E. Milstead had the distinction, at the time of the riots, of halting Governor Rusk, who was attempting to pass through the lines, and whom he did not know. An officer noticed the incident, and came running to explain matters, but the Governor commended the guard for his action. It is safe to say that Milstead needed no introduction to Governor Rusk after that meeting. The National Guard held state camps every summer after 1882, and Companies F and G participated in these gatherings. Previous to 1889, when the state purchased the Camp Douglas grounds, the encampments were held at different cities around the state. Twice they were located in Racine - in 1882, on the grounds of Racine College; and in 1887, on the old fair grounds, west of Asylum avenue, between Washington avenue and the C.M. & St. P. railway tracks. These camps were always a matter of perennial interest to the young men, and to the young women as well, of the cities where they were held. It may be interesting to note that the first encampment of the First regiment of the Wisconsin National Guard was that held at Racine in 1882. GARFIELD GUARDS AT CAMP DOUGLAS ******************************* Louis Sieger Henry Jerstad Sidney Leonard Peter Zimmers James H Spencer Joseph Smollen Thomas Orr Anthony Anderson Jerry Becker Gustav Klenz Louis Strang Ed Smith Fred Bloom George Pottinger John Harrington ______ Mause W T G Roberts Richard Griffith Charles Gutman George Olla George Carey W E Milstead Alfred Hewitt ______ Leonard August Anderson Charles Harrington Peter W Hanson Jacob Henken Charles Goodman During its history, the Garfield Guards was officered as follows (commissioned officers only): Captains.... ******** Aug '81 George E Smith Nov '81 James W Greeley Oct '82 James W Greeley Apr '83 James W Greeley Sept '83 James W Greeley Apr '84 James W Greeley Sept '84 James W Greeley Apr '85 James W Greeley Sept '85 William H Brigham Apr '86 William H Brigham Sept '86 William H Brigham Apr '87 William H Brigham Sept '87 William H Brigham Apr '88 William H Brigham Sept '88 William H Brigham Apr '89 Henry Jerstad Sept 89 Henry Jerstad Apr '90 Henry Jerstad Sept '90 Henry Jerstad Apr '91 Henry Jerstad Sept '91 Henry Jerstad Apr '92 Henry Jerstad First Lieutenants.... ***************** Aug '81 Peter J Rice Oct '82 Peter J Rice Apr '83 Marcellus A Bowers Apr '84 N L Murray Sept '84 N L Murray Apr '85 N L Murray Sept '85 Austin W Irwin Apr '86 Austin W Irwin Sept '86 Austin W Irwin Apr '87 Austin W Irwin Sept '87 Austin W Irwin Apr '88 Austin W Irwin Sept '88 Austin W Irwin Apr '89 Austin W Irwin Sept '89 Austin W Irwin Apr '90 Alfred B Carman Sept '90 William E Milstead Apr '91 William E Milstead Sept '91 William E Milstead Apr '92 William E Milstead Second Lieutenants.... ****************** Aug '81 Julius Zimmerman Oct '82 Fred A Schwartz Apr '83 Nicholas L Murray Sept '83 Nicholas L Murray Apr '84 Wm H Brigham Sept '84 Wm H Brigham Apr '85 Wm H Brigham Sept '85 Louis Hagios Apr '86 Louis Hagios Sept '86 Louis Hagios Apr '87 Louis Hagios Sept '87 Henry Jerstad Apr '88 Henry Jerstad Sept '88 Henry Jerstad Apr '89 Chris. Milstead Sept '89 Alfred B Carman Apr '90 Charles Chaffee Sept '90 Peter W Hanson Apr '91 Peter W Hanson Sept '91 Peter W Hanson Apr '92 Peter W Hanson Capt. Jerstad resigned July 8, 1892, and from that date until their muster out, October 6, 1892, the company was without a captain, but was in command of its first lieutenant, W. E. Milstead. ROSTER OF THE GARFIELD GUARDS* ****************************** (*the duplication of a name in this roster, signifies a re-enlistment, or a re-instatement of that man.) DATE OF MUSTER AND NAME.... *********************** August 23, 1881 *************** Anderson, P Baldwin, George Broadgate, Charles Bowers, A Marcello Carls, William Cumyns, John Fahey, Michael W Fish, George L Freyer, W A Goodwin, Frank P Graves, Charles F Graves, Clarence H Graves, Herbert A Green, George L Hagios, Louis Harrison, James K Heilman, Charles G Heist, John Hewitt, Alfred G Higgie, W J Hopkins, _____ Howe, William H Johnson, John A Kawelti, John J Ludwig, H F W Lewis, A D Lossel, Joseph P Mack, Paul Morgan, John D Maguire, Thomas H McMasters, John F Neils, Peter Nelson, Jacob Noe, John Piel, John Piel, F C Piel, George Peters, Henry Poulson, Charles Pugh, Arthur Pushee, Everett Richards, John J Root, Everett Roberts, W G Roy, Chester G Singer, George E Skow, Charles J Suelflohn, Martin Swan, H R Tolfson, John Tolfson, George Weins, Theo. Wendt, E G H Williams, Edw. Williams, William J April, 1882 *********** Nelson, Joseph Finch, W J Harrington, Charles Curwin, John Harlis, William Dunham, Charles Johnson, James P Inman, W Merton, Herman Murray, Nicholas L Nelson, P Smollen, J A Smith, Peter Sullivan, J Meyers, Joseph October, 1882 ************* Murphy, James A Brigham, William H Smollen, Michael Smollen, Thomas Zimmers, Matthew W April, 1883 *********** Bickett, George W September, 1883 *************** Baldwin, Harry Bernhardt, Jacob A Connelly, William France, John J Gere, Charles Hanche, George Kvicala, Emmett Klema, Joseph Mathias, William O'Day, Charles Pfeifer, John Pahalon, Henry Schoenleben, Fred Swan, Herbert R April, 1884 *********** Fellows, Harry Klenz, Gustav Lyons, John Milstead, William E Milstead, Christopher Wetherell, John September, 1884 *************** Chaffee, Woodbry Jerstad, Henry April, 1885 *********** Bronoske, Gustav Carman, Alfred Chaffee, Charles Koehler, John Koehneman, Gustav Osius, Charles L Schriver, Christian Sullivan, Thomas Zeck, John September, 1885 *************** Meyers, Otto April, 1886 *********** Blish, William H Hewitt, Alfred G Heck, Jacob P Huhn, Herman Hanson, Peter Heck, Frank King, George Larson, Charles Roberts, William T G Sorenson, Peter Sorenson, Ole September, 1886 *************** Austin, John Fielding, Frank Lansing, Fred Pahl, Arnold Schenk, John April, 1887 *********** Bauman, Benjamin Bishop, William September, 1887 *************** Anton, Peter Baldwin, Harry Clark, James H Evans, Louis Iselin, William Bailey, Frank Maus, Matthias Olla, William Olla, George P Sieger, Louis Coultes, Thomas April, 1888 *********** Anderson, James Balser, Andrew Hanken, John Hagios, Louis Johnson, George Lockowitz, Joseph Sisco, John M Stopper, William September, 1888 *************** Jensen, Nels McCue, John Myers, Axel Zimmers, Peter April, 1889 *********** Anderson, Henry Cary, George Hanche, George Hewitt, Alfred G Milstead, William E Hanson, John Klenz, Eustace Roberts, William T G Sorenson, Peter Spencer, John H Stopper, Louis Griffith, Richard J Harrington, Charles Schoenleben, Frederick September, 1889 *************** Billings, Jacob Brigham, William H Chaffee, Woodbry Christman, Peter Gunston, Frank Gutman, Charles J Leonard, Sidney Niberg, Victor H Odell, Louis Quigley, Charles G Sorenson, Ole Smollen, Joseph B April, 1890 *********** Backer, Jerry Bloom, Fred Ellis, Albert Harrington, Charles Hanson, Peter Hulm, Herman Milstead, William E Moe, John Orr, Thomas Roberts, William T G Schoenleben, Fred Strang, William September, 1890 *************** Anderson, Anthony De Garis, George Edwards, Guy Hatchwell, Frederick T O'Malley, Anthony Pottinger, George M Smith, Edward Vincent, William Klenz, Gustav April, 1891 *********** Cooper, Samuel Coling, Floyd E Gatfield, Earl Moline, Oscar Voss, Edward E Wolf, Charles September, 1891 *************** Sieger, Louis Baldwin, Owen Delpsch, Charles Disher, Charles M Dorr, Francis E Frederickson, Paul Gribbohm, William Leickem, Henry Leickem, Jacob Luchason, Hugo W Millstead, Ernest Powell, Lewis C Summerton, Harry Williams, William J Olson, Charles April, 1892 *********** Brinkman, William K Cook, John H Hepworth, Joseph Smith, John J ____________ Not long after the close of the Spanish-American War, an attempt was made by Capt. William M. Lewis and a few other veterans of that war, to organize a military company in Racine, to become a part of the Wisconsin National Guard. A meeting was called at the rink which was attended by a large number of eligible young men, but only thirty of them volunteered for membership, and although Col. B.H. Dally, of Milwaukee, was present for the purpose of mustering in a new company, the project was abandoned, and since the Spanish-American War, Racine has had no company in the National Guard. As this book goes to press, in March, 1915, a movement is on foot to organize a militia company in Racine, and to secure the assurance of the state authorities that such a company, when organized, will be one of the eight new companies to be added to the National Guard of Wisconsin in the near future. Bancroft Camp, United Spanish War Veterans, have taken the initiative in the matter, and a committee composed of John Hood, Paul Matson and Richard Drake have the preliminaries in charge.