| Notes |
- HIRAM A. SHELDON has for almost a third of a century been engaged in merchandising in Burlington, Wis., and is one of its 3') most prominent citizens. He has taken an active part in all of its public affairs, has done much for its npbuildmg and is therefore widely kn_own, needing no especial introduction to its citizens. He was born in Utica, Macomb County Mich., May 13, 1835, and was the second in order of birth in a family ofseven children, four sonsand three daughters, of whom four are yet living. Their parents, Orson and Rose Ann (Lippitt) Sheldon, are mentioned on another page of this work.
With them Hiram A. emigrated to Racine Coun ty, Wis., when a lad of seven years, and in Burlington has since made his home. His early education .was acquired in its public schools and supplemented by a year's study in Beloit College, when Dr. Chapin was President of that institution. His business training was received in his fathcr’s mercantile establishment, and since the 21st of April, 1859, with the exception of the years spent in the service of his country, he has been engaged in the hardware business in Burlington. He had closely watched the progress of events in the South prior to 1861, and determined that if the South struck the blow, he would march to the defense of his country.
On the 28th of August, 1861, Mr. Sheldon enlisted in the Utley Guards, organized in Burlington, and at the election of the officers of the company, Robert Hill, of the Ellsworth Zouaves, was made Captain, William E. Gibbons, who was a Sergeant in the Mexican War, was chosen First Lieutenant and H. A. Sheldon was elected Second Lieutenant. The village of Burlington furnished more troops to the country than any other place of its size in the Stats. This company was organized as Company C, First VVisconsin Regiment, under command of Col. John C. Starkweather, who had formerly been Captain of the Light Guards, of Milwaukee. The regiment was ordered to Jeffersonville, Ind., where it was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland and became a part of the Fourteenth Corps under Gen. Thomas. The first order given, which was received October 7, 1861, was to report to Louisville, Ky., to Gen. Sherman. On the 10th of November they moved forward to the mouth of Salt River in Kentucky, and on the 3d of December reached Elizabethtown. Making a forced march of thirty-two miles, they reported to Gen. Negley at Camp Noline, where they were assigned to the Seventh Brigade of the Second Division. '
On the 11th of December they moved on to Bacon Creek, and on the 17th reached Kentucky, where the regiment went into winter quarters. Mr. Sheldon was present at the skirmish at White’s Pike, where the first Union soldier gave up his life for his country. He participated in the battles of the campaign from Pittsburg Landing to (‘orinth, was present at the battle and evacuation of the latter city, and being taken sick in the spring of 1862, was confined in a field hospital for a short time. He was in the campaign against Gen. Bragg through Northern Alabama and Tennessee to Louisville, Ky. On the 6th of August, 1862, Mr. Sheldon was appointed Captain of his company. At the battle of Perryville, Ky., he buried sixteen of his men, and intrying to recover the body of Maj. Schumacher, of the Twenty-fourth Wisconsin, made his way beyond the rebel lines. He participated in the battle of Stone River, which occurred on the last two days of 1862 and the first two day of 1863. At the battle of Chickamauga he led forth thirtyone troops and brought out only ten, which shows what great losses they there endured. Twice during that battle Capt. Sheldon had command of the regiment. He participated in the battles of Resaca, Dalton, Peach Tree Creek, those around Atlanta and the battle of Jonesdoro, Ga., September 4,1864, where the company lost heavily. He also was under fire at the battle of Buzzard’s Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, Mission Ridge, and witnessed the Battle of Lookout Mountain, which by most old veterans is conceded to be the most sublime and thrilling sight of the late war. It seemed that the guns of the opposing troops were only a few rods apart, and at dawn the thought came that it would be a miracle if the Federalists were not annihilated. Capt. Sheldon was present when Gen. Sherman marched into Marietta, Ga., July 4, 1864. There he had previously taught a military school, and there he had allied himself with the Union cause, at which time its citizens declared he should never again set foot on its streets, but with a victorious army the pavements again resounded to his footfall as he marched at lhe head of a conquering troop. At Jouesboro the regiment was ordered back to Atlanta and there received orders to return to Milwaukee, Wis.,for muster out, where the captain was honorably discharged at the end of his three year’s term, October 13, 1864. He was always found at his post of duty commanding his company and inspiring them by his words and manner with his own bravery and fearlessness.
On his return, Capt. Sheldon again entered his hardware store, which had been carried on all through his absence. On the 28th of February,1865, he wedded Miss Paulina A. Bristol, a native of Monroe County, N. Y., and their union was blessed with two children, but the son, Robert H., is now deceased. Mabel L. is a graduate of the Burlington High School, also pursued a course of study in the Northwestern University, and has been educated in music. The mother, who was born October 29, 1842, died September 12, 1888. She also had graduated from the Burlington High School, and was a lady of intelligence and culture. An active and faithful member of the Congregational Church, she served as its organist, and her Christian influence was felt in every company in which she moved. She was greatly beloved by her many friends, who share with the husband and daughter in their great loss. During the war she had always championed the cause of the soldier, and did all in her power to promote their happiness, and when the Luther Crane Post held its first memorial services, after her death, a floral badge,three and one half feet in height, was placed on her tomb, in remembrance of her kindness and generous actions.
In political sentiments, Mr. Sheldon was first a Free-soiler. He cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont and from that time has warmly advocated the principles of the Republican party.
_ He has never sought oflice for himself, but has aided his friends with his influence. For about ten years he has been a member of the School Board, and for six years has served as its efficient President. Under his administration the schools have advanced in excellence, and his labors have been productive of much good in that direction. Socially he is a member of Luther Crane Post, No. 201, G. A. B.,
of which he served as Commander for the first two terms of its existence, and is now Quartermaster. He is also a member of the Knights of Honor; of the Masonic Lodge of Burlington; and of the Temple of Honor, which stamps him as a man of temperance principles. In religious belief he and his daughter are Congregationalists and take an active part in the work of church and Sunday-school. Mr. Sheldon is a member of the Board of Trustees of the church. His success as a merchant has been marked, his war record is one of honor and his honorable, upright life is well worthy of emulation
http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA999&lpg=PA999&dq=Orson+Sheldon+Rose+Ann+Lippitt&sig=rl2T87MzA7B_e62q3ong8Toh1WQ&ei=2bl0UZ3uOYTvrQGpuIGICQ&sqi=2&id=Hl00AQAAMAAJ&ots=1mmD-3G2Ld&output=text
|
.jpg)
1842 - 1888 (45 years)