Post (C) by Doris McCraw
aka Angela Raines
Chapel at Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs Image (C) Doris McCraw |
Martha J. Hurd married William T. Douglass in Menard, Illinois on December 17, 1867. She was born on October 21, 1837, in Illinois. This was Martha's second marriage.
On June 3, 1857, Martha J. Harrison married John J. Hurd. in Menard, Illinois. Then in August of 1862, John enlisted for service in the Union Army and mustered out in September of that same year. He served in Company F of the 114th Illinois Infantry. On June 17, 1863, he died in Duckport, Louisiana of 'pernicious fever' according to the records.
Martha's second husband William T. Douglass was also in the 114th Illinois Infantry but served in Company K. There is a good chance the two men knew each other, at least by name having lived in the same area. John, who was born in 1834 would have been seven years older than William, who was born in 1841.
Image of the Douglass headstone
from Find A Grave
According to the 1900 census, Martha had born four children, however, none had survived. In an article in the newspaper, land owned by the couple was sold in 1878.
By 1879, the couple were living in Colorado Springs where they remained. Willam died in 1909 and Martha died on December 9, 1911.
For more on the Civil War Veterans and Wives:
William T. Douglass - Western Fictioneers
Private John H. Long - Western Fictioneers
Isabella Long - Prairie Rose Publications
I see her death date isn't entered on the gravestone. I can only suppose there was nobody left to commission the work. That's sad.
ReplyDeleteThat was my thought also. That she perservered despite her losses is inspiring. Doris
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