Saturday, March 30, 2013

Civil War Veteran: Cyrus Blodgett

Cyrus Blodgett
Born:  October 1840 in Michigan
Died:  January 13, 1926 in San Diego County, California
CPL CO G 16 MICH INF

Never married, by 1900 Cyrus and his sister, Susan, who was also single, were living in the Bernardo area near Escondido with their brother Charles and his wife.  Cyrus and Charles were engaged in farming.



Friday, March 22, 2013

Civil War Veteran: Robert Bigger

Robert Bigger
Born:  May 1845 in Illinois
Died:  September 3, 1929
PVT CO D 106 ILL INF

Enlisted as a PVT in CO D 106 ILL INF on December 19, 1863 at Logan, Illinois.  Mustered out on January 12, 1865 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
He was somewhat disabled in later years.  In 1910 he was a resident of the Soldiers and Sailors Home in Riverside Township, Adams County, Illinois.  In 1918 he was a resident of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Sawtelle, Los Angeles County, California.  By 1920 he was living in Escondido, San Diego County, California where he spent his remaining years.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Civil War Veteran: Alonzo M. Bell

Alonzo M. Bell
Born:  1843 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
Died:  July 2, 1916 in San Diego County, California
PVT CO F HATCH'S MINN CAV

Still living in Minnesota in 1880, by 1890 he was in California.  He spent the last years of his life in Fallbrook, San Diego County, California where he was a carpenter.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Civil War Veteran: James Barnes

James Barnes
Born:  May 19, 1831 in Pennsylvania
Died:  January 2, 1908
SERGT CO I 19 IOWA INF

Prior to the Civil War James Barnes was a resident of Jefferson County, Iowa.  In 1856 he was living in Locust Grove employed as a shoemaker. 
He enlisted from Abington, Iowa on August 8, 1862 as a PVT in CO I 19 IOWA INF.  He was promoted to Full 5th SERGT on May 20, 1863 and promoted to Full 4th SERGT on September 1, 1864.  He mustered out in Mobile, Alabama on July 10, 1865.
By 1900 he was living in the Bernardo area of Escondido, San Diego County, California with his wife, Cornelia, and their children.  He was a member of Escondido's GAR Post #143.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Symbol: Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Encampment

Encampment, a higher branch of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is open to Third Degree members in good standing.  The letters F, H and C stand for Faith, Hope and Charity, principles they strive to impart.