William Gerhold

Unassigned

4th Illinois Cavalry

 

 

William Gerhold, was born in Berks County Penn. in 1834, when he was 6 years of age his parents moved to Dayton, Ohio, Living there until 1859, moving to Terre Haute Indiana. As a boy William learned to drive mules on the Ohio Canal. At the outbreak of the civil war William enlisted with the 1st Illinois Cavalry in Charleston, Illinois for a three month service. The fall of 1861, William again enlisted with the 4th Illinois Cavalry, for a period of 2 years service. William was discharged for wounds received at the battle of Shiloh, and received a pension from the U.S. Goverment. In the spring of 1866 he started a business as carpenter and bridge builder, until 1870. William then tried farming in Section 18, Town 17, Range1, P.O. Columbus. In 1868 William Married Miss Mary Wiss, who was a native of Germany. Their farm consisted of 240 acres, 160 acres of those were in a very good state for cultivation. Mostely growning corn, he also became a large cattle rancher keeping on hand 100 head at all times, He would send off two rail car loads to market each year. He also raised a very large number of hogs each year

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